Creation Under the Curse

December 3rd, 2024
by Dr. D. Lance Waldie

Romans 8:20-22 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

The personified creation in v. 19 longs for the revealing of the sons of God. Being cursed, God’s creation “was subjected” (Gr. hupotassō), or placed under the influence of another. This passive verb pictures the creation (the subject) being acted upon by another, namely God. What it was subjected to was “futility” (Gr. mataiotēs), a term that means “emptiness; without value.” Why would God do this? The answer dates back to Eden in Genesis 2 when God warned Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, telling him, “…in the day you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:17). Adam did eat from it, and when he did, he and the rest of God’s creation began to die. From that day till the present, the entire creation—from humans to inanimate objects, has lived under the curse and awaits the relief that Jesus will one day grant.

When Adam sinned, he corrupted both humanity (Rom. 5:12-14) and God’s creation (Gen. 3:17-19)—soil, trees, animals, etc. What followed was weeds, poisonous plants, thorns; a planet subjected to futility. As a result, no part of God’s creation exists as He intended it. Paul says that God did not subject it to futility “willingly” but in “that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (v. 21).

So, decay, death, sickness, hurt, natural disasters, and pollution began after the fall of man, and it will continue until God, the One who sent the curse, removes it and creates everything anew (cf. 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1). Though man may consider this as God’s “plan B,” God is simply working all things out for His glory to those who love him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). His purpose is to offer and bring hope to those suffering under the curse, even the creation itself. Just as creation is inseparably linked to man’s sin, so too will creation be delivered from its bondage to decay at the “revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19) when they are released from their own bondage of the curse.

Now when the creation is released from the curse, v. 21 says it “will be set free” (Gr. eleutheroō). The passive voice is used again, meaning that just as God Himself subjected the creation to futility (v. 20), He will set it free from futility. Neither nature nor man can correct the problem, for it was divinely subjected “to slavery to corruption” (v. 21). Both man and earth exist under this curse, and only God can remove it. When God does set the creation free from the curse, what occurs will be the “freedom of the glory of the children of God” (v. 21)—when every believer in Christ will be delivered from sin in their flesh (cf. 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 John 3:2).

What will that future glory look like? First, a transformed universe without sin (Rev. 21:1). Second, it will be inhabited by humans in the likeness of Christ’s glorified body (cf. Phil. 3:21). Also, with regard for such glory, Scripture promises at least five things for the sons of God, that is His faithful people: 1) they shall be with Christ, 2) they shall be like Christ, 3) they shall have glory, 4) they shall feast, and 5) they shall have some official position in God’s eternal world. Moreover, as part of that glory, God’s sons and daughters will shine like the sun (Matt. 13:43).

Until that day, “the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together.” A “groan” is normally associated with pain, whether emotional or physical, and is expressed both inwardly and outwardly in the midst of difficult circumstances. Paul likens these groanings to the pains of childbirth, temporary pain that gives way to great joy. Likewise, the glory that is to be revealed to all Christians will cause them to forget all their temporary, earthly pain and toil.

Food for Thought

The curse is evident everywhere—from weeds in the flower beds to cancer of the body and death. Life is difficult! Although it won’t always be this way for Christians, it will be even worse for unbelievers. Whereas Christians eagerly await Christ’s return, unbelievers vote for the green new deal to save the planet. God has a plan, and only in Him is there salvation. Only in Christ.