He figuratively represents it as longing for deliverance as a prelude to that time when its purpose shall have been completed. The same conclusion is expressed in the following quote. The world of plants, animals, and inanimate matter is not included in the plan of redemption. Only in a metaphorical sense can it look forward to the deliverance of the children of God. Purpose Our present purpose is to demonstrate that the above conclusion is at best an exegetical illusion.
Personification is the English name for the figure.
The products of the earth D. Inanimate things E. Kingdoms, countries, and states F. Human actions, etc., attributes to things, etc. It is here that we encounter the first and most serious problem with personification of the material universe as the creation in Romans 8. By the law governing figurative language, and by the above writer's own admission, it is a statement which is contrary to fact. The conclusion drawn by Trevor Majors most aptly demonstrates this truth and is worth repeating here. The world of plants, animals, and inanimate matter is not included in the plan of redemption.