Few Bible verses have brought comfort to people in pain quite like Romans 8:18. It’s the one that says present suffering isn’t even in the same league as the glory coming our way—and that raw hope has anchored Christians across denominations for nearly two thousand years.
Most cited verse on suffering in the New Testament: Romans 8:18 ·
Appears in all major English translations (NIV, KJV, ESV, NLT, NKJV): 5+ translations ·
Part of Paul’s letter to the Romans, written circa 57 AD: ~57 AD ·
Chapter 8 focuses on life in the Spirit and future glory: Romans 8 ·
Verse 18 directly contrasts present sufferings with future glory: Key theme
Quick snapshot
- Verse is in the canonical New Testament (Got Questions (theology Q&A site))
- Paul wrote Romans around 57 AD (Enduring Word (Bible commentary))
- Greek phrase for “present sufferings” is ta pathēmata tou nyn kairou (Desiring God (pastoral ministry))
- All major translations align on core meaning (SW Outfitters (study guide))
- Exact nature of the “glory” (physical or spiritual) (River Community Church (pastoral devotional))
- Precise identity of the audience’s sufferings (persecution vs. daily hardships) (Got Questions)
- Whether Paul references a specific eschatological timeline (timmacbride.com (independent study))
- Written by Paul in ~57 AD to a mixed Jewish-Gentile church in Rome (Enduring Word)
- Part of a sustained argument about life in the Spirit that runs from Romans 8:1 to 8:39 (Cornerstone Web (study guide))
- Verse promises that future glory will far outweigh any present suffering (Desiring God)
- Paul develops the theme of creation’s liberation in verses 19–25 (SW Outfitters)
This article walks through what the verse actually says in major translations, what it meant in its original setting, and how to carry it into daily life.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Book | Romans |
| Chapter | 8 |
| Verse | 18 |
| Author | Paul the Apostle |
| Approximate Date | 57 AD |
| Original Language | Greek (Koine) |
| Major Translations | NIV, KJV, ESV, NLT, NKJV, NASB |
What is the meaning of Romans 8:18?
What does Paul mean by “present sufferings”?
Paul uses the Greek phrase ta pathēmata tou nyn kairou — literally “the sufferings of the present season.” According to Enduring Word (Bible commentary), this covers any hardship believers face during their earthly lives: persecution, illness, grief, financial strain, or the general groaning of a fallen world. The apostle does not list specific examples; he keeps the category wide open.
How does this verse connect to the broader chapter?
Romans 8 builds a case for why Christians can have confidence. Verses 1–17 describe life in the Spirit and adoption as children of God. Verses 18–30 then pivot to hope: present suffering is temporary, but the glory that will be “revealed in us” is eternal. RightNow Media (Bible study platform) notes that this passage is often misunderstood to mean God will only give good things; instead it teaches that God uses all things for ultimate good.
The verse reframes suffering not as punishment or random chaos, but as a contrast that makes the coming glory feel even greater. For a believer in the middle of a difficult season, that’s not platitude—it’s a lifeline.
The pattern: Paul takes the reader’s present pain and sets it against a canvas of future redemption. The implication is that no matter how heavy the moment feels, it is not the final word.
What is the actual verse of Romans 8:18?
Before we compare translations, here is the verse in its most common English forms. The core message is stable across versions, but the phrasing varies in ways that subtly shape interpretation.
NIV version
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
— Romans 8:18 (NIV), as cited by River Community Church (pastoral devotional)
KJV version
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
— Romans 8:18 (KJV), as cited by Got Questions (theology Q&A site)
ESV version
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
— Romans 8:18 (ESV), as cited by SW Outfitters (study guide)
Notice the small but meaningful difference: NIV and KJV say “in us,” while ESV says “to us.” Desiring God (pastoral ministry) uses “to us,” emphasizing that the glory is something believers will see and receive, not necessarily something that transforms them from within. Either way, the glory is external, overwhelming, and certain.
Here is how the major translations compare on key nuances.
| Translation | Phrasing of “glory” | Verb for “consider” | Key nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIV | revealed in us | I consider | Present sufferings vs. future glory |
| KJV | revealed in us | I reckon | Old English “worthy” adds weight |
| ESV | revealed to us | I consider | Glory as external revelation |
| NKJV | revealed in us | I consider | Similar to KJV, modernized |
The trade-off: “in us” suggests believers will be glorified; “to us” suggests believers will witness glory. Both are supported by Greek (the preposition is ambiguous). Readers can choose the emphasis that resonates.
Is the pain you’ve been feeling Romans 8:18?
What kind of suffering does Paul refer to?
Paul does not restrict the category. Got Questions links this verse back to the curse on creation in Genesis 3:14–19, suggesting the “sufferings” include everything from physical pain to emotional grief. The point is not the type but the temporariness.
Does this verse apply to all types of pain?
Pastoral application often extends it to any hardship—chronic illness, betrayal, financial collapse, persecution. Tim McBride (independent teacher) urges readers to “hold on because future glory will make present darkness seem insignificant.” The verse offers a framework, not a denial of pain.
Applying Romans 8:18 to every type of pain can feel dismissive if not paired with empathy. The verse works best as a long lens, not an immediate Band-Aid. It gives perspective, not painkillers.
The pattern: the verse names the pain honestly but refuses to let it have the final say. The implication is that no suffering is too small or too large for this promise—the glory still outweighs it.
How do I apply Romans 8:18 to my life?
Practical steps for finding hope during trials
Applying this verse means letting it reshape your daily outlook. Below are five concrete steps, drawn from River Community Church’s devotional guide and RightNow Media’s study notes.
- Memorize the verse in your preferred translation. Write it on a card and place it where you’ll see it daily.
- Journal your current suffering and then write the promise of glory beside it. The contrast helps internalize the truth.
- Pray the verse back to God. Example: “Lord, I trust that this pain is temporary and your glory is coming.”
- Discuss it in a small group. Use Cornerstone Web’s conversation guide to prompt honest sharing about suffering and hope.
- Pair it with Romans 8:28. Together they form a double anchor: suffering is temporary, and God works all things for good.
The pattern: application shifts focus from the pain’s size to the glory’s weight, which is infinitely heavier. The implication: without practice, the verse stays abstract; with practice, it becomes a reflex of hope.
Is Romans 8:18 a Catholic Bible verse?
Which Catholic Bibles include it?
Yes—Romans 8:18 appears in every Catholic Bible because the canon is the same for the New Testament. Versions such as the NABRE and RSV-CE include it. The verse is also used in the Catholic lectionary for Masses on suffering, hope, and the end times.
How do Catholic and Protestant interpretations differ?
There is no doctrinal difference in the text itself. Both traditions read the same Greek and apply it to perseverance. The main divergence is in how the “glory” is understood eschatologically: Catholic teaching often links it to the beatific vision and the resurrection of the body, while Protestant emphasis tends toward justification and future cosmic renewal. But the verse itself remains a shared hope.
The pattern: the textual foundation is identical across denominations. The implication is that Romans 8:18 functions as an ecumenical anchor—a verse that unites rather than divides.
Confirmed facts
- Verse is canonical in all Christian traditions (Enduring Word)
- Written by Paul around 57 AD (Enduring Word)
- Greek phrase for “present sufferings” is ta pathēmata tou nyn kairou (Desiring God)
- Major translations (NIV, KJV, ESV, NLT, NKJV) agree on the core contrast (SW Outfitters)
- Used in pastoral care to encourage hope during suffering (River Community Church)
What’s unclear
- Whether the “glory” is a physical transformation or an external event (River Community Church)
- If Paul had specific persecutions in mind or general hardships (Got Questions)
- Exactly when the “revealing” of glory happens (at death, at Christ’s return, or progressively) (timmacbride.com)
Quotes from scholars and pastors
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
— Apostle Paul, Romans 8:18 (NIV)
“Paul intended this verse to fill readers with encouragement and hope. The glory is the transformation of the body through resurrection.”
— River Community Church (pastoral devotional)
“Romans 8:18 locates suffering in a global and historical perspective. The glory will be revealed to us—it is something we see and receive.”
— Desiring God (pastoral ministry)
For the person wrestling with chronic pain, a recent loss, or the weight of watching a loved one suffer, Romans 8:18 offers not a quick fix but a durable promise. The verse does not minimize pain—it outmatches it. The implication for anyone in a hard season is clear: hold on, because the glory coming makes everything else look small. For the reader who wants to live this truth, the choice is to memorize it, pray it, and share it, or to let the noise of the moment drown it out.
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For those seeking a deeper understanding of how Paul frames hope amid hardship, you can explore the full meaning of Romans 8:18 in a focused devotional guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does “sufferings of this present time” refer to?
Paul uses a broad phrase that includes any hardship believers face in this fallen world—persecution, illness, grief, financial struggle. The key is their temporal nature. (Enduring Word)
Does Romans 8:18 promise that all suffering will end?
Yes, in the sense that the coming glory will completely overshadow present suffering. The verse does not promise immediate relief but ultimate resolution. (Desiring God)
How does Romans 8:18 relate to Romans 8:28?
Verse 18 provides the perspective, verse 28 the reassurance: God works all things for good. Together they form a double anchor for hope. (RightNow Media)
Can this verse be used for non-Christians?
Pastorally, many apply it broadly to human suffering. Theologically, the hope is tied to being in Christ, but the comfort of a future beyond pain resonates universally. (Got Questions)
What is the Greek word for “glory” in this verse?
The Greek word is doxa, meaning weight, splendor, or honor. It signifies the visible manifestation of God’s presence and power. (Enduring Word)
Is Romans 8:18 quoted in any church liturgies?
Yes. It appears in the Catholic lectionary for certain Sundays in Ordinary Time and in many Protestant funeral and memorial services. (River Community Church)
How do different denominations interpret this verse?
All major denominations agree on the core message. Differences arise around the timing of glory’s revelation (amillennial vs. premillennial) and the nature of the resurrection body. (Desiring God)
What is the best commentary on Romans 8:18?
Many recommend Enduring Word for verse-by-verse clarity, Desiring God for devotional depth, and Got Questions for quick answers.
Megan Morrison covers culture, lifestyle and society across Australia for Southern Pulse.