Romans 8 26

Romans 8:26 kjv

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26 nkjv

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26 niv

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26 esv

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26 nlt

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Romans 8 verses

Romans 8 26 Meaning

Romans 8:26 describes the profound, supportive work of the Holy Spirit within believers, particularly in the realm of prayer. When believers are weak, afflicted, or unsure how to pray according to God's will, the Holy Spirit intervenes directly. He personally participates in our struggle and intercedes for us before God the Father, expressing our deepest, inexpressible longings and groanings in a way that aligns perfectly with the divine will, ensuring our petitions, though imperfect, are heard and perfected.

Romans 8 26 Context

Romans 8 is a pivotal chapter, unfolding the glorious reality of life "in the Spirit" for believers. It stands in contrast to the previous chapter's struggle with the flesh and the law. Chapter 8 highlights deliverance from condemnation (v. 1), the enabling power of the Spirit over sin (vv. 2-13), the assurance of adoption as God's children (vv. 14-17), and the ultimate hope of glorification. Verses 18-25 discuss the present sufferings of believers and creation, which both "groan" in anticipation of final redemption. Romans 8:26 fits directly into this theme of groaning, establishing that just as creation groans and believers groan, the Holy Spirit also intercedes with groans, bridging our human weakness with God's perfect plan. Historically, the early church, often persecuted and awaiting the Lord's return, found profound comfort in the Spirit's personal aid and intercession amidst their limitations and struggles. The idea of a divine Spirit actively assisting believers in a personal way was a radical contrast to prevailing philosophical concepts of distant deities or abstract spiritual forces.

Romans 8 26 Word analysis

• Likewise (ὡσαύτως - hōsautōs): Connects this action of the Spirit directly to the groaning of creation (v. 22) and the groaning of believers (v. 23) who await their full adoption. It signals a shared experience of profound longing and struggle, yet also points to the Spirit's distinct, active role in it.
• Spirit (Πνεῦμα - Pneuma): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, emphasizing His divine personhood, agency, and intimate involvement in the lives of believers. He is not an impersonal force but a living helper.
• Helps (συναντιλαμβάνεται - synantilambanomai): A strong compound verb.
  • syn- (together with): Indicates co-operation, not merely individual aid.
  • anti- (against, over against): Suggests engaging an opposing force or difficulty.
  • lambanomai (to take, to take hold of): Means to take hold of something to help carry it.
  Together, it portrays the Spirit taking hold of the other side of a burden or difficulty alongside us, sharing the weight and assisting actively in our struggle. It’s an intimate, engaged partnership.
• Our weakness (τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν - tē astheneia hēmōn): Encompasses all human frailties and limitations. In this context, it primarily refers to our intellectual, emotional, and spiritual inability to pray effectively, fully grasping God's will, or articulating our deepest needs perfectly. It highlights our human insufficiency in the face of spiritual realities.
• We do not know what we should pray for as we ought: This phrase elaborates on "our weakness," specifically identifying it as ignorance or inadequacy in prayer. Our petitions are often short-sighted, self-centered, or simply misdirected because we lack divine perspective and foresight.
• But the Spirit Himself: Emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative agency of the Spirit. This isn't a vague spiritual influence, but a distinct Person acting.
• Makes intercession (ὑπερεντυγχάνει - hyperentynchano): Another compound verb.
  • hyper- (on behalf of, over): Suggests going beyond or doing something exceedingly well.
  • entynchano (to meet, to make petition): Means to approach a person with a request, to intercede.
  This describes the Spirit acting as our advocate, making a fervent, intense petition specifically and perfectly on our behalf. It goes beyond simple praying; it implies a mediation, ensuring our needs are perfectly represented to God.
• For us (ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν - hyper hēmōn): Clearly states the Spirit's advocacy is on our behalf, in our interest.
• With groanings (στεναγμοῖς - stenagmois): These are deep, inward, inarticulate expressions of distress, pain, or longing, consistent with the "groaning" language used for creation (v. 22) and believers (v. 23). It speaks to an intensity of emotion or need that transcends words.
• Which cannot be uttered (ἀλαλήτοις - alalētois): Means unspoken, unutterable, inexpressible in human language. This suggests these groans are not human words, nor necessarily the 'tongues' of 1 Corinthians 12 or 14, but rather Spirit-inspired expressions that are known only to God and fully represent the depth of the believer's need and the Spirit's divine petition.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Likewise the Spirit helps our weakness": Establishes the Spirit's active, empathetic support for our limitations and frailty. The "likewise" places the Spirit's groaning and helping action in the grand narrative of creation's and humanity's yearning for redemption.
• "for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought": Pinpoints the specific area of human weakness – our ignorance and inadequacy in prayer. It highlights our limited perspective and dependence on divine guidance for alignment with God's will.
• "but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered": Emphasizes the Holy Spirit's direct, personal, and unique role as an advocate. His intercession is not through human language but through profound, inarticulate groanings, perfectly understood by the Father, bridging the gap between our flawed requests and God's perfect plan.

Romans 8 26 Bonus section

The "groanings which cannot be uttered" mentioned in Rom 8:26 are distinct from the spiritual gift of "tongues" described in 1 Corinthians 12-14. While both involve expressions beyond human language, the context for Romans 8:26 is the Spirit's intercessory work within all believers facing weakness, leading to a deep, inaudible, internal spiritual communication directly from the Spirit to the Father on behalf of the believer. The gift of tongues, conversely, is an overt, audible manifestation given to some believers, often for public or private prayer/edification. This verse underscores a universal aspect of the Spirit's work, providing every believer with a powerful, unspoken conduit of prayer to God, irrespective of any particular spiritual gift. It points to a profound Trinitarian dance in prayer: the believer's yearning, the Spirit's perfect articulation of that yearning to the Father, and the Father's understanding and response to the Spirit's perfect petition.

Romans 8 26 Commentary

Romans 8:26 offers immense comfort and reassurance, unveiling the Holy Spirit as our divine Advocate in prayer, particularly in moments of profound human weakness and confusion. It addresses the common believer's experience of feeling overwhelmed, or uncertain of how to articulate their deepest needs or align their desires with God's will. When our words fail, our knowledge is limited, and our spirits are burdened, the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, takes up the cause. He doesn't merely observe but actively "helps us carry" the burden of prayer, taking hold of the struggle alongside us. His intercession transcends human language, operating at a level of spiritual depth that mere words cannot convey. These "groanings which cannot be uttered" are the Spirit's perfect, divine communication with the Father, expressing our true spiritual needs and aligning them flawlessly with God's sovereign purposes and will, thus perfecting our imperfect prayers. This profound ministry ensures that even our most desperate and inarticulate cries are presented to God in a way that is effective and pleasing to Him, reaffirming God's profound intimacy with His children and His active care for their deepest needs.