English Standard Version
Romans 8:26
26Likewise 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 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (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.
Context of Romans 8:26
24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 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. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those 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 15:1We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Corinthians 12:5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, 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 in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
- Hebrews 5:2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
- Matthew 20:22Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able."
- Luke 11:1Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
- James 4:3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
- Romans 8:15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
- Psalms 10:17O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
- Zechariah 12:10"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
- Matthew 10:20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- Galatians 4:6And because you are sons, God has 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 6:18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
- Jude 1:20But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
- Romans 7:24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver 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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