Romans 8:20

For nature was made subject to imperfection – not by its own choice, but owing to him who made it so –

Open English Bible (US)

In The King James Version

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

In Context

19All nature awaits with eager expectation the appearing of the sons of God.

21yet not without the hope that some day nature, also, will be set free from enslavement to decay, and will attain to the freedom which will mark the glory of the children of God.

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Cross References

Genesis 5:29He named him Noah, saying: “He will bring us relief from our work and the toil of our hands which comes from the ground the Lord cursed.”

Hosea 4:3Therefore the land mourns, all its inhabitants languish, the wild animals and the birds of the skies, even the fish of the sea are dying.

Romans 8:22We know, indeed, that all nature alike has been groaning in the pains of labor to this very hour.

Matthew Henry on Romans 8:18-26

The Believer's Privileges. ( a. d. 58.) 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath… Read the whole commentary →

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