Romans 8:25
What does Romans 8:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:25 means
Hope focuses on what is not yet visible; therefore, the proper response is patient waiting. Patience is not passivity but steadfast trust that holds to God’s promise through delays and trials. Such endurance is possible because the hoped-for future is guaranteed by God’s character, Christ’s work, and the Spirit’s presence. Waiting tempers impatience, curbs despair, and enables obedience in the meantime. This verse closes the hope section by commending a settled, persevering stance. It prepares us to see that God does not leave us to wait unaided; the Spirit actively helps us in our weakness, including our inability to pray as we should.
Romans 8:25 in context
Romans 8 — No Condemnation, No Separation
The high-water mark of Paul's letters. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death; the same Spirit cries 'Abba, Father' in our hearts and assures us we are children and heirs. Suffering is real, but the glory ahead is incomparably greater. All things work together for good to those who love God. And nothing — neither death nor life nor angels nor things present nor things to come — shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Justification
- Indwelling Spirit
- Adoption
- Final perseverance
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if we have hope for that which we see not, then we will be able to go on waiting for it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if what we do not behold we hope for, through continuance we expect <FI>it<Fi> .
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if what we see not we hope, we expect in patience.
Context
Completing the reflection on hope from verse 24, verse 25 commends patience as the fitting posture of faith while we await unseen glory. This transitions to verses 26–27, where Paul shows that God meets us in our waiting: the Spirit helps our weakness and intercedes according to God’s will, ensuring our prayers align with his purpose. The flow moves from future-oriented hope to present-tense help, deepening assurance amid suffering.
v.24For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
v.25This passage
v.26And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 1:9
I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich arein Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
- Romans 2:7
to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
- Luke 21:19
In your patience ye shall win your souls.
- Psalms 27:14
Wait for Jehovah: Be strong, and let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for Jehovah.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:5
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:25
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:25 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:25 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:25 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:25 teaches us about final perseverance
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