Romans 8:18-25 is one of the lesser known passages in Paul’s letter to the disciples at Rome. But lesser known doesn’t mean lesser value and we’ll see Paul has some profound things to say in this text. Let’s start with a little background on the church at Rome.
The disciples at Rome had their share of challenges. Like all followers of Jesus, there were engaged in the ongoing battle between the spirit and the flesh that Paul addresses in chapters 6-8. Jesus spoke to this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He told His disciples, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Then there was the fact that the emperor Claudius expelled the Jewish people from Rome in AD 51 (see Acts 18:2-3). If you were a Jewish disciple at Rome, this meant you had to leave. Three years later Claudius died, and the Jewish people began to trickle back to Rome. Paul wrote Romans as early as AD 55 (Harrison and Hagner), so the Roman church was early in the process of reintegrating Jewish Christians. This had to have been a significant challenge. Although they were one in Christ, there was a lot of things they needed to work through. Paul speaks to this situation in chapter 13-15.
Finally, after Claudius’ death, Nero became emperor of Rome at the age of 16. His mother, Agrippina, was originally the power behind the throne until Nero had her killed five years into his reign (AD 59). Five years later, the great fire of Rome occurred and he began his campaign against the church. All of this happened within a decade after the disciples at Rome received Paul’s letter. So yes, they had their share of challenges.
The disciples at Rome were headed for glory (8:18). Seriously Paul? This little, rag-tag group of disciples who had all the issues we’ve talked about (and more)—they were headed for glory? This group that lived in the shadow of the Eternal City’s glory with its imperial cult that proclaimed the emperor was Lord—how could they possibly be headed for glory?
The glory Paul has in mind is not glory in general but the glorious resurrection—“the redemption of our bodies” (v. 23). In Eden decay, disease, and death became part of our story due to sin. A day is coming, Paul wants them to know, when God will complete his work of making all things new.
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 