The first fruits (την απαρχην). Old and common metaphor.

Of the Spirit (του πνευματος). The genitive of ap…

And not only they. Not only the creation in general.

But ourselves also. Christians.

Which have the first-fruit…

Nor is it only the rest of creation that groans. We Christians, too, though we possess the firstfruits of the Spirit, nevertheless inwardly groan, …

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

The parallel Paul has been drawing between the saints and the material creation is true in at least two respects—groaning (cf. [Reference 2 Corinth…

And not only so, etc. There are those who think that the Apostle intended here to exalt the dignity of our future blessedness, an…

And not only they, but ourselves also
Not only they Gentiles, but we Jews likewise:

The sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and only for a …

1. After demonstrating the excellence of future glory from the longing of creation, the Apostle now demonstrates the same from the longing o…