Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

A few years ago an associate of mine would take the sounds of words to form unsound doctrine. We tried to correct his thinking unsuccessfully. We must understand that there are translations of Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew that are very difficult and there is more than one way to say things.

When it comes to speaking to the character and quality of personality of our God, we must balance what these translation sound like against what we know about our God.

Here in Romans 8:20 it sounds like God had a hope for mankind that did not work out as planned. Since God is omniscient, knowing all things from the beginning, then it was not God that was hoping here. The key phrasing is “of him who hath subjected the same in hope”

I went back to the Greek to decipher the original intent of the phrasing. This is what I discovered.

Strong’s G1909 “the same is” is a prepositional phrase, ep-ee’; a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (source BLB.ORG)

It is not God’s hope but rather God instilling hope in us, “a relation of distribution”. We were subjected to this hope unwittingly, unwillingly, to create in us a yearning to come to know God without understanding how and why it happened until we came to know Him.

The Phillips translation comes the closest to rendering an interpretation that is in line with that thinking.

“The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited—yet it has been given hope.”  (it, creation, we have been given that hope) 

If your thinking doesn’t sound like the God you know, check your thinking.

Essential doctrines are principled, non-essentials are not.

Yes, that does require an explanation.

Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Principles direct right action, righteousness. The effectiveness of essential doctrines direct a life best suited to live with Christ. Non-essential doctrines have no effect on your salvation or your relationship with Christ.

Understand also that these essential truths (doctrine) are supported by scripture and do not stand alone. Line upon line and precept upon precept, evidence that God told us what He was about to do so that we would recognize our Savior when He came.

Here are some basic primary doctrinal truths upon which your very salvation hangs.

God sent Jesus into the world.

Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus lived a life without sin.

The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ satisfied God’s need for justice.

Jesus rose from the grave.

Jesus ascended to the right hand throne of God.

Everyone is subject to Jesus Christ, in that He alone judges the living and the dead.

By faith we are saved through grace, meaning that placing your faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ alone saves you and not your works.

John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

You must believe Him.