Creation
Creation has a beginning, reveals God, and now groans.
Creation in these passages refers to the act and product of God's making the world and its inhabitants. It is presented as having a definite beginning (Mark 10:6; Mark 13:19; 2 Peter 3:4) and as being in a state of suffering (Romans 8:22). The Word, identified as God, is present at the beginning (John 1:1), and Christ is called the beginning of God's creation (Revelation 3:14).
- Beginning of creation
- Mark 10:6; Mark 13:19; 2 Peter 3:4
- Creation reveals God
- Romans 1:20
- Creation groans
- Romans 8:22
- Word was with God in beginning
- John 1:1
- Christ is beginning of creation
- Revelation 3:14
Lore & Background
The passages consistently affirm that creation had a specific starting point. Mark 10:6 and Mark 13:19 both refer to 'the beginning of the creation,' and 2 Peter 3:4 echoes this phrase, indicating a foundational event. This beginning is tied to God's direct action: 'God made them male and female' (Mark 10:6) and 'God created' (Mark 13:19).
Creation also serves as a source of knowledge about God. Romans 1:20 states that the invisible qualities of God—his eternal power and divine nature—are 'clearly seen' through the things that have been made. This implies that creation itself testifies to its Creator.
However, creation is not static. Romans 8:22 describes the whole creation as 'groaning and travailing in pain together until now,' suggesting a present state of suffering or anticipation. This contrasts with the claim in 2 Peter 3:4 that some skeptics say 'all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'
Reader's Guide
The portrayal of creation across these passages is multifaceted. First, creation is defined by its origin: it began at a specific point in time, initiated by God (Mark 10:6; Mark 13:19). This beginning is also linked to the divine Word, who 'was with God' and 'was God' in the beginning (John 1:1), and to Christ, who is called 'the beginning of the creation of God' (Revelation 3:14). The exact relationship between the Word, Christ, and the act of creation is not fully detailed here, but the passages connect them.
Second, creation has a revelatory function. Romans 1:20 asserts that the created world makes God's invisible attributes understandable, leaving humanity without excuse for not acknowledging him. This suggests that creation is not merely a backdrop but an active witness.
Third, creation is in a state of distress. Romans 8:22 personifies creation as groaning, implying a longing for restoration. This stands in tension with the claim in 2 Peter 3:4 that some believe nothing has changed since creation began. The passages do not explain why creation groans or how it will be resolved, only that it does.
Did You Know?
- The phrase 'beginning of the creation' appears in Mark 10:6, Mark 13:19, and 2 Peter 3:4, but with different contexts.
- Romans 1:20 says creation makes God's 'eternal power and Godhead' clearly seen, but does not specify how.
- Romans 8:22 says the whole creation groans, but does not say why or for how long.
- Revelation 3:14 calls Christ 'the beginning of the creation of God,' a phrase not explained further in these passages.