The first thing to point out is the way this theologically charged passage demonstrates how Paul often rings the changes on the same few words and themes within a given section. These can be roughly diagrammed as follows:
Figure 1: Key Words in Romans 8:18-25
1. glory (18)
2. creation (19a)
3. waits (19b)
4. children of God (19c)
2'. creation (20a)
5. hope (20b)
2''. creation (21a)
1'. glory (21b)
4'. children of God (22a)
2'''. creation (22b; 23a)
3'. waits (23b)
5'. hope (24a,b,c,d; 25a)
3''. wait (25b)
In addition to the approximate symmetry demonstrated above, there may be symbolical importance in the number of times certain words appear. For example, “hope” remains incomplete until it is fulfilled. Thus, the fact that this word occurs six times in this passage may reflect the present partial reality of hope (6 = 7-1, since the number seven throughout the Bible signifies completion or perfection).
Of course, this incomplete nature of our present existence is underlined by the threefold appearance of the verb “to wait” in these verses. There is an interesting contrast between the creation waiting “with eager longing” in the first appearance of this word and believers waiting “with patience” in the last time the word is used.
And, stretching the symbolical meaning of biblical numbers a little further, if the adjacent references to creation in 2''' above are considered together then that leaves four places in which it is mentioned in the passage. This would be highly appropos since elsewhere in the Bible the number four is strongly associated with God's creation (see, for example, Genesis 2:10; Jeremiah 49:36; Ezekiel 37:9; Daniel 7:2; Revelation 4:6).
In addition to most English translations considering verses 18-25 as constituting a discrete paragraph within Romans, there is additional confirmation of that decision in that these verses are capped on both ends with parallel mentions of the work of the Holy Spirit (see 8:12-17 and 26-27). As Elliott points out, “The inner testimony of the Spirit (vv. 16,26-27) is experienced as intense yearning and hope (5:1-5).” And that hope is the major theme of Romans 8:18-25.
Next, if we move back and view the Epistle of Romans from its broader perspective, it is possible to learn even more concerning the place of this small passage within the whole letter. Without going into the entire overall structure of the book, our area of concentration in this post fits within the very center of the literary structure of Romans, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: The Core of Romans
A. Present Position of the Jews (2:25-4:25)
B. Justification by Faith (chs. 5-6)
1. Christ’s Death (ch. 5)
2. United With Christ (ch. 6)
B'. New Life (chs. 7-8)
2'. Dying to the Law (ch. 7)
1'. Life in the Spirit (ch. 8)
A'. Future Position of the Jews (chs. 9-11)
Based on this symmetrical arrangement, one would expect there to be at least some thematic and verbal similarities between Romans 8:18-25 and Romans 5, and that is indeed the case. Similarities within these passages include (a) the effect of the Fall on mankind and nature respectively described in 5:12-20 and 8:19-22; (b) “hope” in 5:2-5; 8:20-24; (c) “not only that” (5:3,11; 8:23); “patience” (5:3-4; 8:25);” and “saved” (5:9,10; 8:24).
There is also a roughly chiastic correspondence between the major sub-themes of these two chapters:
Figure 3: Romans 5 and 8
1. Justified / at peace with God (5:1-2)
2. Suffering–hope–Spirit (5:3-5)
3. Law increases the trespass (5:6-21)
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3'. Law of Spirit frees (8:1-17)
2'. Suffering–hope–Spirit (8:18-27)
1'. Justified / at peace with God (8:28-39)
From this simple study, you can see how a literary analysis of a given biblical passage can help to supplement the more usual verse-by-verse analysis one generally encounters in a typical Sunday school class or practical study guide
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