A Bible Study on Birthpangs

I have often told people that I first could see for myself how valuable learning Greek could be when I studied Acts 2:24 in Greek. Speaking of Jesus, Peter said, “God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.” The Greek word for “pangs” most literally means “birthpangs.” Jesus’ terrible suffering and agony and pain (pangs) were like “birthpangs of death” out of which would come life - His resurrection from the dead, and new and eternal life for us who are brought to trust in Him as our Savior.

Death comes as a result of sin (Romans 6:23), and dying can often be a long and terrible and painful experience. For believers, though, it is also transformed into the gateway to eternal life. The “pangs of death” are more like “birthpangs” leading to the peace and joy of being with our Lord forever in heaven. Jesus said, “When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” What comforting words of hope we have from the Lord, even in difficult days and even “in the valley of the shadow of (the birthpangs of) death” (Psalm 23:4). We will try to “fear no evil,” for the risen, living Lord has been through that valley for us and will be with us, too, and will comfort us and our loved ones and be the Door to eternal life for us.

Paul used the same basic word and concept in Romans 8:20-23, when he said that “the whole creation was subjected to futility” by the fall of Adam and Eve into sin and is in “bondage to corruption,” too. (Remember the description in Genesis 3:16-19 after the fall, including the thorns and thistles and pain in childbirth uniquely for women. Husbands can be there during labor and try to be helpful, but don’t always do so well in support! This original meaning of “birthpangs” is real and vitally important as a part of the birth of a child and will continue until Christ’s return, also.)

In the New Testament, though, “birthpangs” take on these additional picture image meanings. As a result of the fall, Paul says, “the whole creation has (also) been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Paul adds, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:22-24). We are already “children of God," adopted” through Christ and heirs of God’s promises to us. Our souls and the souls of all believers will be with Christ when physical death comes, but our bodies will wait to be raised and changed and glorified on the last day, when Christ returns. All this is certain for us, in Christ, just as God planned.

What happens with the rest of creation is not so clear. Jesus Himself said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Peter, in 2 Peter 3:12, speaks of the destruction of “the heavens” and “the heavenly bodies” by fire, but also, in v.13, “according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Mentions of such are also in Isaiah 66:22 and Revelation 21:1ff and in other parts of Revelation which seem to have highly symbolic language. Some commentators, like Franzmann, suggest that the New Testament writers do not really attempt to explain fully what the new eternal existence will be like. They talk more about what will not be there - no sea, no sun and moon, no evil, and above all, God “will wipe every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more. neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who is seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:4-5).

In God’s amazing plans, there will be some continuity between our human bodies as they are now and as they are raised and changed and glorified on the last day. It will truly be us and our loved ones in Christ in heaven. Maybe, some think, Paul is saying in Romans 8:18-22 that there can be some continuity between the old creation and the new in which we will live in heaven and eternal life, too. We do not know, but God will work all things out in just the right way, in His wisdom as God (Romans 8:28). (See also Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:20.)

In the meantime, we still suffer and struggle in this life, even as believers, and even though we also have much joy and blessing and eternal hope. Jesus Himself used the imagery of birthpangs in talking about “signs” of the times that will remind us that His return, and the end of existence as we now know it, is coming. See Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:4-8). (If you read on through v.9-12, you can see why some think we are in the very last times.)

We know, however, that God is still in control, and he will care for us, in life and in death. The Holy Spirit is with us and will pray with and for us, as will Christ our Savior (Romans 8:26-27 and 34ff). The image of “birth pains” reminds us that something so much better is coming for us, in eternal life, no matter what today or tomorrow brings. “The one who endures to the end (in faith in Christ) will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Paul also reminds us, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

As we wait for Christ’s return, in our death or on the last day, we still have important work to do, with and for our Lord. Jesus also said, “This Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). We can help with that testimony right where we are and as we pray for and support mission work wherever we can. There are still so many people without faith and unprepared for Christ’s return. As Paul wrote, including the image of “birthpangs,” “you yourselves are fully aware that the day of he Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

Paul used this image of “birth pains" one more time, too, when He wrote to the church at Galatia. Paul had been there, and people came to faith through the Gospel of Jesus and baptism. Then, false teachers came in and were leading people astray, away from Christ as Savior. Paul writes and witness to these people again, including those who seemed to have lost the faith. He calls them “my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish (birthpangs) of childbirth until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19). Obviously, only the Lord can finally bring people to faith or renew their faith by His grace, but how challenging and wonderful to help even a little with others who still need to know the hope and joy we have in our Savior, even in very difficult times.