Groaning is a low mournful sound brought about by pain or suffering, and Paul describes three kinds of groaning expressed by the creation, the people of God, and the Holy Spirit. These groanings are all connected with the current state of the Christian experience and the glory to come. All creation is a testimony to the power and glory of God, but this natural world cries out in groaning while under the curse of God and eagerly anticipates its own restoration.
Also the church groans as it awaits its full adoption as sons with the communion of the Holy Spirit as a down payment of that adoption. Even a good full spiritual life is unsatisfying in light of the fullness of the harvest expected. The Lord's people groan and plead for the union of the body and soul in the paradise to come wherein they may enjoy full an unpolluted fellowship with the triune God. The Holy Spirit joins in the groaning of the church as both wait for the full redemption of the redeemed. Sinful men do not by nature know how to pray, but the Holy Spirit speaks the real needs of the believers to the Lord conforming the prayers of His people to God's perfect will.
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Nathan Eshelman is pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA) in historic downtown Orlando, FL. He studied for ministry at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
He is co-host of "The Jerusalem Chamber" podcast,...