Reflection on Romans 8:25: Hope, Patience, and Active Faith

by Dave Rogers

I chose this passage in part because Jeannine and I have been attending adult bible study at the Denmark Congregational Church, here in Denmark Maine. We have been studying Paul’s letter to the Romans.

I am intrigued by this passage which describes the pain and suffering that we as individuals and as the wider population experience today, along with the hope for our salvation or redemption in the next life. It asks the question, who hopes for what we already have or see? True hope is for what we do not see yet. Depending on the version of the Bible, it states that if we hope for what we do not yet see, we hope patiently, confidently, with composure, and perseverance.

The word ‘patiently’ troubles me a bit because it is passive. To wait patiently for something could imply that we simply sit back and hope that what we are waiting for will come to us. I feel we should not simply wait patiently. We should act every day to do the right thing and make a difference for ourselves and others. God has given us that ability and expects us to use it.