ACC ~ Romans 8 v20

NOT OF ITS OWN WILL. ORIGEN: What is this futility to which the creation is said to be subject? It seems to me that this is said about the material and corruptible substance of the body. Likewise with the decay mentioned [in the next verse]. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY. ORIGEN: The moon and the stars have been compelled against their will to be subject to futility, as a result of causes long past; yet in the hope of a future reward they do not do their own will but the will of the Creator, by whom they have been appointed to these duties. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.8.3.

ORIGEN: What is the futility to which the creation was subjected? My own opinion is that this is nothing else than the possession of bodies. Even though the bodies of the stars are composed of ether they are nevertheless material. This, it seems to me, is the reason why Solomon arraigns the whole universe as being in a way burdensome: “Vanity of vanities, says the preacher. … All is vanity.” ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 1.7.5.

AMBROSE: Creation itself will also be delivered from its slavery to corruption when the grace of divine reward shines forth. SIX DAYS OF CREATION 1.6.22.

AMBROSIASTER: The subjection of the creation is not for its benefit but for ours. What does it mean to be subject to futility but that what it produces is worthless? For the creation works in order to bring forth corruptible fruit. Corruption therefore is itself futility. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

HUMANS IMPACT CREATION. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul means by this that the creation became corruptible. Why and for what reason? Because of you, O man! For because you have a body which has become mortal and subject to suffering, the earth too has received a curse and has brought forth thorns and thistles. … The creation suffered badly because of you, and it became corruptible, but it has not been irreparably damaged. For it will become incorruptible once again for your sake.This is the meaning of “in hope.” HOMILIES ON ROMANS 14.

FUTILITY AS TRANSGRESSION. [PSEUDO-]CONSTANTIUS: “Futility” means “transgression,” to which Eve was subject not by her own will but by the deception of the serpent, which gave her the hope that she and Adam would become like gods, knowing good and evil. “Subjected” refers to the corruption of mortality, but in the resurrection they will receive the incorrupt nature of the sons of God. THE HOLY LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

PELAGIUS: “Futility” means everything which will someday come to an end. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

WHETHER CREATION UNDERSTANDS. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The visible and tangible creation knows nothing of the promises which have been made to us because it has no understanding of them. For if it should ever happen that the creation acquired some understanding of these things, it would hardly endure such base servitude, nor would it want to be subject to or be on friendly terms with those whose lives bear no good fruit. Nevertheless, Paul says that the creation is subject in hope, for one day the saints and the elect will be saved, and then the yoke which has been imposed on it by God will be removed. … In the meantime, the creation groans and in some sense labors and grieves, and if it had any awareness of our works, probably it would burst out crying. EXPLANATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

FUTILITY AS CORRUPTION. THEODORET OF CYR: “Futility” means corruption. Paul teaches this a little further on when he says that the creation itself will be set free from corruption. He also teaches that all the visible creation has been condemned to mortality because the Creator of all things foresaw the sin of Adam and that he would sentence him to death. INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

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