Romans 8:27
What does Romans 8:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:27 means
God, who searches hearts, fully knows the Spirit’s mind, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God’s will. There is perfect harmony within the Godhead; the Spirit’s advocacy is always on target. This means our prayers, even when muddled, are carried into the divine counsel and refined to match God’s wise purpose. The verse offers deep assurance: our access to God does not depend on eloquence or insight but on the Spirit’s internal ministry. It also encourages submission; since the Spirit prays according to God’s will, we can trust that unanswered or redirected requests are part of a better plan shaped by divine wisdom and love.
Romans 8:27 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 he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he who is the searcher of hearts has knowledge of the mind of the Spirit, because he is making prayers for the saints in agreement with the mind of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and He who is searching the hearts hath known what <FI>is<Fi> the mind of the Spirit, because according to God he doth intercede for saints.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the Spirit desireth: because he asketh for the saints according to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But he who searches the hearts knows what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for saints according toGod.
Context
Completing the thought from verse 26, verse 27 grounds the Spirit’s intercession in God’s omniscience and will. This tight alignment between the Spirit and the Father sets up the sweeping promise of verse 28, that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. The logic moves from God guiding our prayers to God governing our circumstances in line with his redemptive design.
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;
v.27This passage
v.28And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 8:6
For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
- James 1:5
But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
- 1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto thee.
- Acts 15:8
And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
- 1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God;
- Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:27
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:27 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:27 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:27 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:27 teaches us about final perseverance
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