Romans 8:18

Romans was written while Paul was ministering in Corinth during his third missionary journey. Paul made plans to travel to Rome by way of Jerusalem and sent this letter ahead of his visit.

The city Rome was a huge metropolis filled with various practices of lawlessness, violence, and crime. Furthermore, Christianity focused on God alone while most of the religions in the society was pluralistic, worshipping of many gods. Refusing to participate in emperor worship or pagan celebrations, woven into daily life and civic duty, made Christians social outcasts. About 7 years after Paul writes this letter to the church, the Roman emperor Nero would persecute the Christians. They would be torn apart by wild beasts, crucified, and even set on fire. Paul himself would be martyred in Rome around AD 64-67.

Paul wrote to the church of believers living in such a society. He encouraged them to not conform to the ways of the society around them and called them to live differently. He prepares them to look beyond their present circumstances and reality.

Paul knew suffering intimately. By the time he wrote to Rome, he had already survived decades of beatings, stonings, and imprisonment. And he shares with the church in Rome his perspective. Look at how Romans 8 builds. Verse 1 declares no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Verses 14-17 speak of being led by the Spirit as sons of God. In verse 18, Paul puts suffering on one side of a scale and glory on the other. He calculates and weights the two and his conclusion is that the two cannot be compared. He explains that the glory to come is so much greater the present suffering.

The glory God promises us is greater than what we can imagine. Though there may be troubles in our present earthly life, the eternal life God gives us is filled with glory. The same glory that Paul spoke of is the glory God has prepared for you.

"Are not worthy to be compared" (οὐκ ἄξια πρὸς / ouk axia pros)

"Worthy" is the Greek word axia, meaning of value, having weight. Ouk axia means not worthy, not having much weight. If you put present suffering on one side of a scale and God's prepared glory on the other, the suffering is so light that its weight cannot be felt. The two cannot be compared. That is how much greater God's glory is.

"With the glory which shall be revealed in us" (τὴν μέλλουσαν δόξαν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι εἰς ἡμᾶς / tēn mellousan doxan apokalyphthēnai eis hēmas)

"Glory" is the Greek word doxa, meaning splendor, majesty, honor. In the Old Testament, this word appeared when God's presence was revealed. This glory is not simply a reward. It is a complete restoration in which God's presence is fully revealed in us. The glory God promises is greater than what we can imagine.

I declare that the words of Romans 8:18 are true in my life.

• This suffering is not the end of my story.
• My suffering in Christ is not in vain.
• The glory to come cannot be compared with my present suffering.
• God is preparing glory greater than I can imagine.

God,

I give to you all my worries and pain. I hold onto Your Word and believe that the glory You have prepared is much greater than my present suffering.

Even in the midst of this suffering, fill me with Your peace, a peace that the world cannot give. Strengthen me to face the obstacles that lie before me. Remind me to look beyond my present circumstances to the glory that awaits.

I will not conform to the ways of this world but will be set apart before You. May I fix my eyes on the eternal glory You have promised.

Thank You that in Christ, you will work every moment and every experience for good. Thank You for the glory You have prepared for me.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.