The Firstfruits of the Spirit
Rev. Cornelius Hanko expounds Romans 8:23 to explore the threefold groaning described by Paul: the groaning of creation under the curse, the groaning of believers awaiting redemption, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. Through this passage, Hanko demonstrates how the doctrine of final restoration and the present work of the Spirit provide both comfort and assurance of salvation to the church.
Rev. Cornelius Hanko (29 June, 1955) 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 (Rom. 8:23). The apostle is speaking of a groaning, a long, heavy sigh that he hears, not once, but repeatedly, even incessantly. In fact, in verses 22 to 27 he speaks of a threefold groaning. He tells us, first of all, that the whole creation groans, even as one in birth...