Future Glory
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Rom 8:20
subject to vanity... Greek: mataiotes, disappointing misery. Only here; Eph. 4:17; 2Pet. 2:18, but used in the Septuagint in Ecc. 1:14; 2:11, 2:17; 9:9; etc. People became vain willingly, but became subject to misery unwillingly.
Vanity has several meanings. Futility, emptiness, frailty, folly, all references to the curse of Genesis and considers the whole thing as unnecessary. Creation did not actively participate in the Fall.
This refers to the inability to achieve a goal or purpose. Because of man’s sin, God cursed the physical universe and now, no part of creation entirely fulfills God’s original purpose.
The reason for this eager anticipation is stated in Rom. 8:20. For the Creation was subjected to frustration. The Greek word mataiotēti (“futility, frailty, purposelessness”; cf. Eph. 4:17; 2Pet. 2:18) describes the change and “decay” (cf. Rom. 8:21) that prevails in all created things. This was not a voluntary subjection because the created world as such had no choice. Instead it was a decree of God, the sovereign Creator, who subjected it. (This probably refers to God, not, as some have suggested, to Adam.) And yet it was in hope, that is, in anticipation of a coming day when the “frustration” would be removed (cf. Rom. 8:24-25). God judged the totality of His Creation along with people for their sin (Gen. 3:14, 3:17-19).
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