Romans 8:26
What does Romans 8:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:26 means
The Spirit meets us in our weakness, especially in prayer. We often do not know what to ask for, lacking wisdom or words. The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for articulation—divine pleas aligned with God’s purposes. These are not ecstatic utterances necessarily, but the Spirit’s own advocacy within and for us. Our inadequacy does not hinder God’s work; it invites his help. This intercession assures us that even confused, wordless prayers are gathered up into God’s will. The Spirit’s ministry is intimate and continual, joining our groans (vv. 22–23) to God’s sovereign plan, so that our prayers become channels of his sanctifying and sustaining grace.
Romans 8:26 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 · 2000And 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Likewise 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And, in like manner also, the Spirit doth help our weaknesses; for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth <FI>us<Fi> , we have not known, but the Spirit himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For, we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And in like manner the Spirit joins also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Context
Having urged patient hope (vv. 24–25), Paul shows that God strengthens us in the meantime. Verse 26 introduces the Spirit’s help in our weakness through intercession. Verse 27 will complete the thought by grounding this intercession in God’s omniscience and will. Together, these verses assure believers that their prayer life, often halting and uncertain, is encompassed by the Spirit’s perfect advocacy, preparing the way for the sweeping confidence of verse 28.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 4:6
And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
- John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,
- Psalms 119:81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation; ButI hope in thy word.
- Psalms 102:20
To hear the sighing of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;
- Romans 8:15
For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- Psalms 6:3
My soul also is sore troubled: And thou, O Jehovah, how long?
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:26
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:26 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:26 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:26 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:26 teaches us about final perseverance
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