Romans 8:23

Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church, positioning believers between two states: they already possess the Spirit yet still await bodily resurrection. He is in the middle of a passage (8:18–25) that weighs present suffering against future glory.

The words — ἀπαρχή (aparchē), "firstfruits," carries the verse's logic: in OT usage it is the first portion of a harvest set apart, guaranteeing the full harvest will follow. Paul applies it to the Spirit, making the present possession a pledge of the coming redemption.

The thread — 2 Corinthians 5:2 pairs the same groaning with longing for the heavenly dwelling; Philippians 3:20 frames the eager waiting for Christ's return. The "redemption of our bodies" echoes 1 Corinthians 15's resurrection body and Romans 8:11's Spirit giving life to mortal bodies.

Why it lands — It refuses to let the present possession of the Spirit cancel the reality of present suffering, or let the future hope cancel the present groaning. The reader is asked to hold both at once without resolving the tension.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Cross-references

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
Hebrews 9:28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Romans 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Galatians 5:5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.
Luke 20:36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.