ἡ κτίσις … τῇ ματαιότητι ὑπετάγη … συστενάζει (8:19–23)

Implies ἡ κτίσις (hē ktisis, 8:19–22) is the non-human creation. It waits for "the revelation of the sons of God" (8:19, BSB), so it is distinct from them; it was subjected οὐχ ἑκοῦσα (ouch hekousa), "not by its own will" (8:20); and "we ourselves" groan as well (8:23). Abbott-Smith lists these verses as "the irrational creation" (lex.G2937). Others have taken it to include humanity.

Says ἀποκαραδοκία (apokaradokia, 8:19) is eager watching, "with outstretched head" (Abbott-Smith; lex.G603). ματαιότης (mataiotēs, "futility," 8:20) is the LXX word for "vanity" in Ecclesiastes (lex.G3153).

Implies The subjection alludes to the curse on the ground in Gen 3:17–19, and "the One who subjected it" (8:20, BSB) is God, who alone could subject it "in hope" (see note.language.Rom.8.20.gen-3-17-19; for Adam, note.language.Rom.5.12-Rom.5.14.gen-2-3-adam).

Says Creation "will be set free from its bondage to decay" (φθορά, phthora; lex.G5356) into "the glorious freedom of the children of God" (8:21, BSB); it συστενάζει καὶ συνωδίνει (systenazei kai synōdinei), "groans together in the pains of childbirth" (8:22; lex.G4959); and believers await "the redemption of our bodies" (8:23, BSB). The body's redemption is stated.

Implies Creation's freedom is its physical renewal: it shares the freedom of the children whose bodies are redeemed. The passage gives no timeline of end-time events.