Christian Standard Bible
Romans 8:26
26In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.
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
24Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, 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
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ·δέde · thenG1161
- Likewiseὡσαύτωςhōsautōs · likewiseG5615
- the Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- alsoκαίkai · andG2532
- helpethσυναντιλαμβάνομαιsunantilambanomai · to helpG4878
- ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- infirmitiesἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- we knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
- notοὐou · noG3756
- whatτίςtis · which?G5101
- we should pray forπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
- asκαθόkatho · insofar asG2526
- we oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- itselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- maketh intercessionὑπερεντυγχάνωhuperentugchanō · to intercedeG5241
- forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- with groaningsστεναγμόςstenagmos · groanG4726
- which cannot be utteredἀλάλητοςalalētos · inexpressibleG215
Cross-references for Romans 8:26
- Romans 15:1Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Corinthians 12:5I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.
- Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
- Hebrews 5:2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.
- Matthew 20:22Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to him.
- Luke 11:1He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”
- James 4:3You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
- Romans 8:15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
- Psalms 10:17Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully,
- Zechariah 12:10“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for him as one weeps for a firstborn.
- Matthew 10:20because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
- Galatians 4:6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
- Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
- Ephesians 6:18Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
- Jude 1:20But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, 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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