Romans 8:25
ESV
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
NIV
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
NASB
But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
CSB
Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.
NLT
But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
KJV
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
NKJV
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
What does Romans 8:25 mean?
Paul has been describing both our current state of being and our future as Christians. Our future is glory, when all will be made right, our faith will be vindicated to the world, and our redeemed bodies will allow us to be with our Father forever.Our current state, though, is one of longing for that day. For now, we have to suffer through the realities of life and all the consequences of sin on this side of eternity. Our hope is sure, but by definition it has not arrived yet.
Now Paul describes us, Christians, as people who wait with patience for a hope we do not see with our eyes. We might not always feel the longing as intensely, or always as patiently. Still, to be a Christian in this life means to wait for the best possible reality anyone can imagine, with patience. We can trust our Father to bring it about at just the right time.
