For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.

We were born in “enslavement to corruption,” under condemnation of all of Adam’s offspring to death. (Rom. 5:12) Hence, we could not save ourselves. All our efforts at self-salvation were doomed to futility, frustration. Where have all the endeavors of man-made governments got us? Where have all the social, economic, financial, medical and scientific arrangements of aspiring mankind got us down to this very day? All of us are still undergoing mental, bodily and moral corruption. Also, it now appears as though a nuclear war with intercontinental ballistic missiles emerging from the seas and plunging down from the skies will mean an abrupt end to all of us. Can this be described as the “eager expectation” of groaning creation?

19. For what purpose did God subject fallen man to futility or frustration, but on the basis of what hope did he do this?

¹⁹ However, man’s Creator is not himself subject to futility or frustration. Corrupt mankind cannot frustrate the Creator’s purpose. Hence, he himself is a hope for us. So he wants us to put our trust, not in ourselves, but in him.