Berean Standard Bible
Romans 8:26
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.
- English Standard Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
Context of Romans 8:26
24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. 27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Read all of Romans 8Romans 8:26 word by word
ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν· τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὸ τὸ πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις·Read the interlinear
- ·δέde · thenG1161
- In the same wayὡσαύτωςhōsautōs · likewiseG5615
- In the same wayκαίkai · andG2532
- theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- helps usσυναντιλαμβάνομαιsunantilambanomai · to helpG4878
- in ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- weaknessἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- we do not knowοὐou · noG3756
- we do not knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
- howτίςtis · which?G5101
- we oughtκαθόkatho · insofar asG2526
- we oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
- to prayπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- Himselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- intercedesὑπερεντυγχάνωhuperentugchanō · to intercedeG5241
- with groansστεναγμόςstenagmos · groanG4726
- too deep for wordsἀλάλητοςalalētos · inexpressibleG215
Cross-references for Romans 8:26
- Romans 15:1We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Corinthians 12:5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
- Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- Hebrews 5:2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness.
- Matthew 20:22“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.
- Luke 11:1One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
- James 4:3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
- Romans 8:15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- Psalms 10:17You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,
- Zechariah 12:10Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
- Matthew 10:20For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- Galatians 4:6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
- Ephesians 2:18For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
- Ephesians 6:18Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
- Jude 1:20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
- Romans 7:24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Commentaries on Romans 8:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities - The same Spirit, , mentioned before as bearing witness with ours that we are the children of God; and consequently it is not a disposition or frame of mind, for the disposition of our mind surely cannot help the infirmities of our minds. The word is very inadequately expressed by helpeth. It is compounded of , together, , against, and , to support or help, and signifies such assistance as is afforded by any two…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26Likewise the Spirit - This introduces a new source of consolation and support, what is derived from the Spirit. It is a continuation of the argument of the apostle, to show the sustaining power of the Christian religion. The “Spirit” here undoubtedly refers to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, and who strengthens us. Helpeth - This word properly means, to sustain with us; to aid us in supporting. It is applied usually to those who unite in supporting or…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-27Verses 26-27 Though the infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26groans too deep for words: This may refer to prayer that does not use normal human language. In such moments, believers may not know what to say and may only cry out to God without clear words. These groanings belong to the Holy Spirit, not to believers themselves. When believers do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for them and speaks to God on their behalf.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 26-2726-27. Likewise the Spirit also, &c.--or, "But after the like manner doth the Spirit also help. our infirmities--rather (according to the true reading), "our infirmity"; not merely the one infirmity here specified, but the general weakness of the spiritual life in its present state, of which one example is here given. for we know not what we should pray for as we ought--It is not the proper matter of prayer that believers are at so much loss about, for…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 8:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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