Romans 8 · Verse 25

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 8:25, King James Version

Romans 8:25 in other translations

BSBBut if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
WEBBut if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.
ASVBut if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
YLTand if what we do not behold we hope for, through continuance we expect it.
DARBYBut if what we see not we hope, we expect in patience.
BBEBut if we have hope for that which we see not, then we will be able to go on waiting for it.
WebsterBut if we hope for what we see not, then with patience we wait for it.

What does Romans 8:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it--that is, then, patient waiting for it is our fitting attitude.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 25. But if we hope, etc. The effect here stated is one which exists everywhere. Where there is a strong desire for an object, and a corresponding expectation of obtaining it--which constitutes true hope--then we can wait for it with patience. Where there is a strong desire without a corresponding expectation of obtaining it, there is impatience. As the Christian has a strong desire of future glory, and as he has an expectation of obtaining it just in proportion to that desire, it follows that he may bear trials and persecutions patiently in the hope of his future deliverance. Compared with our future glory, our present sufferings are light, and but for a moment, 2Cor 4:17. In the hope of that blessed eternity which is before him, the Christian can endure the severest trial, and bear the intensest pain without a murmur.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 25 But if we hope for that we see not - If we have a well-grounded expectation of our resurrection and final glorification, knowing that such things are necessarily future, and must for a certain time be delayed; then do we patiently wait for them, continue patiently to endure the common ills of life, and whatever tribulations we may be exposed to in consequence of our Christian profession; for we know, Faithful is he who has promised. Hope is a sort of universal blessing, and one of the greatest which God has granted to man. To mankind, in general, life would be intolerable without it; and it is as necessary as faith is even to the followers of God. The ancients have a very instructive and elegant fable concerning it. "Prometheus having made a human body, went up to heaven, and stole some celestial fire to animate it: Jupiter, incensed at the theft, sent down Pandora, with a box full of diseases and plagues of every kind, as an ensnaring present to Prometheus; but he refused to accept it. Epimetheus took and opened it, and instantly all those diseases, etc., by which mankind have been made miserable, flew out, and spread themselves over the whole earth; and only Hope remained at the bottom of the box." This fable explains itself, as to its main design. Men find life, with its various and unavoidable ills, only supportable by the hope they have of not only getting safely through them, but of enjoying a state of blessedness in the end. Hope is still at the bottom; and therefore man is encouraged to bear up in all the pressures of life. Take away hope, and then black despair and indescribable wretchedness would be the instant result. Hope stands justly among the highest mercies of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 8:18-25

The sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and but for a moment. How vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world, concerning the sufferings of this present time! Indeed the whole creation seems to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall be manifested in the…

Read the full comment on Romans 8:18-25 →

Romans 8:25 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰeiIfG1487
δὲdehoweverG1161
ὃhowhatG3739
οὐounotG3756
βλέπομενblepomenwe seeG991
ἐλπίζομεν,elpizomenwe hope for,G1679
δι᾽di᾽inG1223
ὑπομονῆςhupomonēspatienceG5281
ἀπεκδεχόμεθα.apekdechomethawe await.G553

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 8:25

  • Romans 12:12

    Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

  • Hebrews 10:36

    For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

  • Psalms 27:14

    Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

  • Lamentations 3:25-26

    The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

  • James 5:7-11

    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. …

  • Hebrews 12:1-3

    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

  • Psalms 130:5-7

    I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

  • Colossians 1:11

    Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

  • Luke 21:19

    In your patience possess ye your souls.

  • Genesis 49:18

    I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:5

    And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
with patience.
23; 2:7; 12:12; Ge 49:18; Ps 27:14; 37:7-9; 62:1,5,6; 130:5-7
Isa 25:9; 26:8; La 3:25,26; Lu 8:15; 21:19; Col 1:11; 1Th 1:3
2Th 3:5; Heb 6:12,15; 10:36; 12:1-3; Jas 1:3,4; 5:7-11; Re 1:9; 13:10
Re 14:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 8:24

    For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

  • Romans 8:25

    But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

  • Romans 8:26

    Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Read all of Romans 8

Romans 8:25 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero si lo que no vemos esperamos, por paciencia esperamos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais si ce que nous ne voyons pas, nous l’espérons, nous l’attendons avec patience.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wenn wir aber das hoffen, was wir nicht sehen, so warten wir mit Ausharren.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si autem quod non videmus, speramus: per patientiam exspectamus.