New King James Version
Romans 8:26
26Likewise 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 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 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 we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 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. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the 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 then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Corinthians 12:5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
- Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
- Hebrews 5:2He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.
- Matthew 20:22But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
- Luke 11:1Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
- James 4:3You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
- Romans 8:15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but 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 prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,
- Zechariah 12:10“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
- Matthew 10:20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
- Galatians 4:6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
- Ephesians 2:18For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
- Ephesians 6:18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
- Jude 1:20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
- Romans 7:24O wretched 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries