Romans 8:18 Commentary: Present Suffering Cannot Compare to Future Glory
Quick Answer – Meaning of This Verse: Paul declares that present sufferings are incomparably small when weighed against the future glory awaiting believers, providing eternal perspective that transforms how we endure trials today.
Translation Comparison
| Translation | Text | Insights |
|---|---|---|
| ESV | For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. | Emphasizes logical reasoning (“consider”) and the comparative nature of suffering versus glory |
| NIV | I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. | Uses “our” to personalize suffering and “in us” to emphasize internal transformation |
| NASB | For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. | Formal language with “worthy” highlighting the incompatibility of comparison |
| CSB | For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. | Simple, direct language that emphasizes certainty of future glory |
| Greek Interlinear | λογίζομαι-I-reckon γὰρ-for ὅτι-that οὐκ-not ἄξια-worthy τὰ-the παθήματα-sufferings τοῦ-of-the νῦν-present καιροῦ-time πρὸς-toward τὴν-the μέλλουσαν-coming δόξαν-glory ἀποκαλυφθῆναι-to-be-revealed εἰς-unto ἡμᾶς-us | Shows Paul’s calculated reasoning (logizomai) and the forward-looking nature of glory |
| Contextual Paraphrase | I have carefully calculated that whatever pain we experience right now in this broken world pales into absolute insignificance when measured against the breathtaking splendor that God will unveil within us. | Captures both the rational element and the overwhelming nature of future glory for practical application |
Comparing translations reveals how different choices illuminate distinct aspects of Paul’s message. The variations between “to us,” “in us,” and “unto us” reflect the Greek preposition εἰς, which suggests both direction toward believers and internal transformation within them. The Greek text uses λογίζομαι (logizomai), indicating calculated reasoning rather than mere opinion, showing Paul’s statement emerges from careful theological reflection rather than emotional sentiment.
What Is the Main Message of Romans 8:18?
Central Message: Romans 8:18 establishes a divine perspective that radically reframes how believers understand present suffering by revealing its cosmic insignificance compared to coming glory. Paul employs commercial accounting language (λογίζομαι) to present his reasoned conclusion that current sufferings, no matter how intense, cannot be placed on the same scale as future glory. This isn’t dismissive of real pain but rather elevates the incomprehensible magnitude of what awaits God’s children. The verse functions as a theological hinge that transitions from the necessity of suffering with the Messiah (verse 17) to the cosmic groaning that characterizes this present age (verses 19-22). Paul presents this as settled truth rather than wishful thinking, grounded in the reality of our adoption as God’s children and co-inheritance with the Messiah.
Key Insight: Paul uses business accounting terminology to show that suffering and glory exist in completely different categories—they literally cannot be calculated together.
What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of Romans 8:18?
- Author: Paul the Apostle (Sha’ul of Tarsus), former Pharisee turned apostle to the Gentiles
- Date Written: Approximately 57-58 CE during Paul’s third missionary journey
- Recipients: Mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome
- Historical Setting: Roman Empire at its height under Emperor Nero; increasing persecution of believers
- Cultural Background: Greco-Roman honor-shame culture where suffering was seen as disgraceful; Jewish expectation of Messianic glory
- Literary Genre: Didactic epistle combining systematic theology with pastoral exhortation
Romans 8:18 Background:
The epistle to the Romans appears to have been written near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, probably around 57 or 58 AD, with Corinth as the likely city of origin. Paul had not yet visited Rome but was preparing for his journey to Jerusalem with the collection for the poor holy ones (saints). This verse comes at a crucial juncture in Romans 8, often called the “Mount Everest” of New Testament theology.
Understanding this cultural context illuminates Paul’s bold declaration in verse 18. In the honor-shame culture of the ancient Mediterranean world, suffering was typically viewed as evidence of divine disfavor or personal failure. The reformer Martin Luther stated that this chapter is where Paul comforts “spiritual fighters” who are involved in an inner struggle between spirit and flesh. Paul’s Roman audience, living under an increasingly hostile empire that would soon launch systematic persecution, needed this eternal perspective. The apostle himself exemplified this teaching—his catalog of sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 included shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and constant danger. Yet he could declare these incomparable to coming glory because he understood the cosmic scope of God’s redemptive plan.
Context Summary: Paul wrote to believers facing the reality of suffering in a world that viewed pain as shameful, offering divine perspective on temporary hardship.
How Does Romans 8:18 Fit Within Its Passage?
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18 serves as a crucial transition verse that bridges Paul’s discussion of co-suffering with the Messiah (verse 17) and his extended treatment of creation’s groaning (verses 19-27). This passage from Romans 8:18-27 is described by Lipsius as a “threefold testimony to the future transfiguration which awaits suffering believers”: creation’s sighing (verses 19-22), believers’ yearning hope (verses 23-25), and the Spirit’s intercession (verses 26-27).
The verse flows logically from verse 17’s conditional statement: “if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him.” Paul uses the explanatory conjunction γάρ (gar – “for”) to provide the theological rationale for why believers can embrace suffering with the Messiah. Suffering is not a question of ‘something unpleasant we just have to get through.’ Like the sufferings of Jesus himself, Paul seems to envision suffering as the stage on which glorification is played out.
Passage Structure:
- Verses 12-17: Life in the Spirit leads to adoption and inheritance with the Messiah
- Verse 18: Present suffering cannot compare to future glory (transition statement)
- Verses 19-27: Three witnesses to coming transformation: creation, believers, and the Spirit
Flow Insight: Verse 18 provides the theological foundation for embracing suffering by establishing glory’s overwhelming superiority over present pain.
What Are the Key Greek/Hebrew Words in Romans 8:18?
| Original Word | Significance |
|---|---|
| λογίζομαι – G3049 (logizomai) | Business term meaning to calculate, reckon, or credit to an account. Paul uses accounting language to show he’s reached a reasoned conclusion, not expressing mere opinion. This word appears 39 times in the New Testament and was frequently used in commercial transactions. |
| παθήματα – G3804 (pathemata) | Specific sufferings that must be endured—not suffering in general but actual pain being experienced. This encompasses both persecution for faith and the general suffering that comes from living in a fallen world. The word emphasizes present, tangible afflictions. |
| δόξα – G1391 (doxa) | Glory representing the manifestation of God’s character and splendor. Originally meaning “opinion” or “reputation,” it came to signify the visible radiance of God’s presence. This glory will be revealed both to and within believers at the Messiah’s return. |
| ἀποκαλυφθῆναι – G601 (apokaluphthenai) | To be unveiled or revealed—an apocalyptic term indicating dramatic disclosure of hidden reality. The passive voice suggests God as the agent who will remove the veil concealing this glory from current perception. |
These word studies reveal Paul’s sophisticated theological argument. Logizomai was a term frequently used in the business community of Paul’s day and meant to impute (put to one’s account) or credit to one’s account. When Paul says he has “calculated” (λογίζομαι) that present sufferings (παθήματα) are not “worthy” (ἄξια) of comparison with coming glory (δόξα), he’s using the language of commercial evaluation. The specific term for sufferings (παθήματα) emphasizes concrete, present afflictions rather than abstract concepts of hardship.
Language Insight: Paul employs commercial accounting terminology to demonstrate that suffering and glory exist in completely different value systems—they cannot be calculated together.
What Does Romans 8:18 Teach Us About God?
Romans 8:18 reveals profound truths about יהוה’s character and His redemptive purposes. God’s Sovereign Perspective emerges as Paul demonstrates divine reasoning that transcends human understanding. The verse reveals that God operates on an eternal timeline where present suffering serves His ultimate purposes. God’s Overwhelming Glory is depicted as so magnificent that it renders present pain insignificant by comparison—not because pain doesn’t matter, but because divine glory is infinitely greater.
God’s Redemptive Economy appears in Paul’s accounting language, showing that יהוה maintains a cosmic ledger where present suffering contributes to future glory rather than detracting from it. This reflects the divine pattern seen throughout Scripture where God brings glory from suffering, life from death, and victory from apparent defeat. God’s Covenant Faithfulness undergirds the certainty that this glory will indeed be revealed—Paul speaks with absolute confidence because God’s promises are unbreakable.
The verse also reveals God’s Compassionate Understanding of human suffering. Rather than minimizing pain, God provides perspective that transforms how believers experience hardship. The passive voice of “to be revealed” (ἀποκαλυφθῆναι) shows that this coming glory depends entirely on God’s action, not human achievement. God’s Trinitarian Work appears implicitly as the glory revealed relates to our union with the Messiah and is experienced through the Spirit’s ministry.
Theological Core: God’s glory is so overwhelmingly magnificent that it dwarfs present suffering while simultaneously giving that suffering eternal purpose and meaning.
How Does Romans 8:18 Connect to the Rest of Scripture?
Romans 8:18 echoes throughout Scripture’s grand narrative of suffering leading to glory. The verse builds upon earlier biblical passages while pointing forward to ultimate fulfillment. It resonates with Job’s declaration of faith amid suffering and connects to the Messiah’s own path of suffering before glory described in Isaiah 53 and fulfilled in the Gospels.
Paul’s declaration parallels his teaching in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, where he describes present affliction as “light and momentary” compared to “an eternal weight of glory.” The concept of suffering with the Messiah to be glorified with Him reflects the pattern established in Jesus’ own words about taking up our cross. The anticipation of revealed glory connects to Old Testament prophecies about the revelation of יהוה’s glory in the last days.
Scripture Connections:
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 – Light momentary affliction preparing eternal weight of glory
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 – Present grief in various trials refining faith like gold
- Revelation 21:4 – God wiping away tears and eliminating pain forever
- Isaiah 53:11 – Messiah’s suffering leading to satisfaction in His accomplishment
- Hebrews 12:2 – Jesus enduring cross for joy set before Him
- 1 Peter 4:13 – Participating in Messiah’s sufferings to rejoice in revealed glory
- 2 Timothy 2:12 – If we endure, we will reign with Him
- Philippians 3:21 – Messiah transforming our bodies to match His glorious body
Scripture Connection: Romans 8:18 stands at the center of Scripture’s consistent teaching that present suffering serves God’s eternal purposes and leads to incomparable glory.
What Are the Major Themes in Romans 8:18?
Theme Analysis:
| Theme | How It Appears in This Verse | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal Perspective | Paul contrasts temporal suffering with eternal glory, using accounting language to show they belong to different categories | Believers can endure present hardship by focusing on God’s eternal purposes rather than temporary circumstances |
| Divine Calculation | The word “logizomai” shows Paul’s reasoned conclusion based on divine revelation rather than human emotion | Faith involves rational evaluation of spiritual realities, not blind optimism or denial of pain |
| Transformative Hope | Present suffering is reframed by future glory, changing how believers experience current trials | Hope becomes a practical force that transforms present experience rather than mere future expectation |
| Cosmic Redemption | Individual suffering connects to universal restoration, placing personal pain in cosmic context | Personal trials participate in God’s larger plan to restore all creation to His intended glory |
These themes interweave to create a robust theology of suffering that neither minimizes present pain nor elevates it beyond its proper place. Paul declares “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” When Paul wrote this, he wasn’t making light of our present suffering. When he wrote this, he was making much of the glory that is to come. The eternal perspective theme shows how divine viewpoint transforms human experience without denying its reality.
The divine calculation theme demonstrates that faith involves intellectual rigor, not emotional manipulation. Paul’s reasoned conclusion emerges from careful theological reflection on God’s character and purposes. The transformative hope theme reveals how biblical hope functions not as wishful thinking but as a present reality that changes current experience. The cosmic redemption theme connects individual suffering to universal restoration, giving personal pain ultimate meaning and purpose.
Thematic Summary: Romans 8:18 weaves together eternal perspective, rational faith, transformative hope, and cosmic redemption to provide comprehensive meaning for present suffering.
How Can I Apply Romans 8:18 to My Life?
Romans 8:18 offers transformative perspective for navigating life’s inevitable sufferings with faith, hope, and perseverance. When facing trials—whether persecution for faith, illness, relationship struggles, financial hardship, or the general pain of living in a fallen world—this verse provides divine perspective that changes everything. Paul’s careful calculation demonstrates that believers can approach suffering with both emotional honesty and rational faith.
Present Application begins with adopting Paul’s accounting perspective. When pain feels overwhelming, remember that you’re comparing categories that cannot be compared. Your present suffering, no matter how intense, exists in the realm of temporal experience, while coming glory belongs to eternal reality. This doesn’t minimize your pain but places it in proper perspective. Allow yourself to grieve, hurt, and struggle while maintaining confidence in God’s greater purposes.
Character Development emerges as suffering becomes a pathway to deeper conformity to the Messiah’s image. Since sharing His suffering leads to sharing His glory, present trials serve divine purposes beyond mere endurance. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how current difficulties might be developing perseverance, character, and hope within you. Consider how your response to suffering bears witness to others about the reality of divine grace.
Relational Impact flows from this eternal perspective as you comfort others with the comfort you’ve received from God. Your transformed approach to suffering becomes a ministry to fellow believers and a testimony to unbelievers. Share your struggles honestly while demonstrating the hope that sustains you. Let others see how divine perspective changes but doesn’t eliminate the reality of human pain.
Self-Examination Questions: How does knowing about future glory change my response to present difficulties? What would my life look like if I truly believed present suffering cannot compare to coming glory? How can I maintain hope while honestly acknowledging real pain? In what ways might my current trials be serving God’s purposes for my spiritual growth?
What Questions Should Romans 8:18 Make You Ask?
These questions are designed to help you engage with this verse in fresh ways, looking beyond what’s explicitly stated to discover deeper insights. Challenge yourself to ask additional questions as you study – that’s where real discovery happens.
Verse-Probing Questions:
- Word Choice: “Why does Paul use commercial accounting language (logizomai) rather than emotional language to describe his perspective on suffering and glory?”
- Hidden Implications: “What does Paul’s certainty about future glory reveal about the nature of God’s promises and the reliability of Scripture’s eschatological hope?”
- Contrasts & Comparisons: “How does Paul’s perspective in Romans 8:18 compare to Job’s declarations of faith during intense suffering, and what do both teach about maintaining hope in trials?”
- Alternative Phrasing: “What if Paul had written ‘I hope’ or ‘I believe’ instead of ‘I consider’—how would this change the verse’s impact and authority?”
- Divine Emphasis: “Why does God emphasize the incomparability of suffering and glory rather than simply promising to eliminate suffering immediately?”
- Placement & Timing: “Why does this verse appear precisely between the discussion of co-suffering with Messiah (v. 17) and creation’s groaning (vv. 19-22)?”
- Fascinating Detail: “What does the passive voice of ‘to be revealed’ suggest about the source and timing of this glory, and how does this connect to other ‘revelation’ passages in Scripture?”
Did You Know?
- Historical Insight: Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are Papyrus 27 (3rd century; extant verses 12–22, 24–27), showing early preservation of Paul’s teaching on suffering and glory.
- Archaeological Discovery: Excavations at Corinth have uncovered numerous commercial inscriptions using the same accounting terminology (logizomai) that Paul employs, confirming the business context of his metaphor.
- Cultural Practice: In Roman honor-shame culture, suffering was viewed as disgraceful evidence of divine disfavor, making Paul’s positive perspective on suffering radically countercultural for his original audience.
- Manuscript Evidence: The Greek text uses λογίζομαι (logizomai) consistently across major manuscripts, indicating Paul’s calculated reasoning rather than mere opinion, establishing the intellectual foundation of faith.
- Early Church Understanding: Church fathers like Chrysostom and Augustine interpreted this verse as foundational to understanding how believers should process suffering, with Chrysostom noting the mathematical impossibility of comparing finite suffering to infinite glory.
- Theological Development: The reformer Martin Luther stated that this chapter is where Paul comforts “spiritual fighters” who are involved in an inner struggle between spirit and flesh, highlighting the verse’s pastoral significance during the Reformation period.
Further Reading
- BibleHub Romans 8:18 Commentary – Comprehensive collection of classical and contemporary commentaries
- Precept Austin Romans 8:18-39 – Detailed verse-by-verse study with Greek word analysis
- Bible Gateway Romans 8 Commentary – Multiple translation comparisons and study notes
- The Gospel Coalition Romans Commentary – Reformed theological perspective on suffering and glory
- Desiring God Romans 8 Resources – John Piper’s sermons and articles on present suffering and future glory
Initial Insights to Study Questions:
These are suggested responses to help guide your thinking, but don’t stop here – develop your own insights as you study further.
- Word Choice Answer: Paul’s commercial language (logizomai) demonstrates that his perspective emerges from careful theological calculation rather than emotional coping, establishing faith as intellectually credible rather than mere wishful thinking.
- Hidden Implications Answer: Paul’s absolute certainty about future glory reveals the unshakeable nature of God’s promises and demonstrates that biblical eschatology provides reliable foundation for present living, not speculative hope.
- Contrasts & Comparisons Answer: Both Paul and Job maintain faith during suffering by focusing on God’s character and eternal purposes rather than present circumstances, showing that biblical hope transcends immediate experience.
- Alternative Phrasing Answer: Using “I hope” or “I believe” would suggest uncertainty, while “I consider” (logizomai) indicates reasoned conclusion based on divine revelation, establishing the verse’s authority as theological truth rather than personal opinion.
- Divine Emphasis Answer: God emphasizes incomparability rather than immediate relief to develop eternal perspective in believers, teaching us to value spiritual realities over temporal comfort and building character through trials.
- Placement & Timing Answer: The verse’s strategic placement provides theological foundation for embracing co-suffering with Messiah (v. 17) while introducing the cosmic scope of redemption (vv. 19-22), bridging personal and universal restoration.
- Fascinating Detail Answer: The passive voice indicates that God alone reveals this glory at His appointed time, connecting to other biblical passages about divine revelation and emphasizing human dependence on God’s initiative rather than achievement.
Tags: romans, suffering, glory, eternal-perspective, persecution, hope, paul-apostle, future-glory, present-trials, divine-calculation, logizomai, pathemata, doxa, eschatology, comfort, theodicy
