The earnest expectation of creation (hē apokaradokia tēs ktiseōs). This substantive has so far been found nowhere save here and Phi 1:20, though the verb apokaradokeō is common in Polybius and Plutarch. Milligan (Vocabulary) thinks that Paul may have made the substantive from the verb. It is a double compound (apo, off from, kara, head, dokeō, Ionic verb, to watch), hence to watch eagerly with outstretched head.
Waiteth for (apekdechetai). See note on 1Co 1:7; Gal 5:5 for this rare word (possibly formed by Paul, Milligan). “To wait it out” (Thayer).
The revealing of the sons of God (tēn apokalupsin tōn huiōn tou theou). Cf. 1Jo 3:2; 2Th 2:8; Col 3:4. This mystical sympathy of physical nature with the work of grace is beyond the comprehension of most of us. But who can disprove it?