Audio commentary on this verse

Note 1 at Rom. 8:26: The word "likewise" is stressing that in the same way that hope helps us to endure until the redemption of our bodies (v. 23), so the Holy Spirit helps us through the frailties of our flesh by interceding for us.

Note 2 at Rom. 8:26: The word "helpeth" was translated from the Greek word "sunantilambanomai" meaning "to take hold of opposite together; i.e. cooperate (assist)." It describes a union, not the Holy Spirit doing all the interceding for us. The Holy Spirit helps us as we are interceding, but He doesn't automatically do it for us.

Note 3 at Rom. 8:26: The Greek word that was translated "infirmities" in this verse is "astheneia" meaning "feebleness (of body or mind); by implication malady; moral frailty" (Strong's). This same word was translated "weakness" five times (1 Cor. 2:3; 15:43; 2 Cor. 12:9; 13:4; Heb. 11:34) so it is easy to see that this word is describing mental and moral weakness, not sickness.

Paul goes on to describe what these infirmities are when he says, "for we know not what we should pray for as we ought." The infirmities this scripture is speaking of are the weaknesses that come from not knowing how we should pray.

Note 4 at Rom. 8:26: This has been an encouraging scripture for countless believers. It is certain that none of us knows exactly how to pray in every situation. Therefore, it is comforting to know the Holy Spirit is there to help us. However, as noted in note 2 at this verse, He helps us. He doesn't do the interceding for us but through us.

Even Jesus drew on this ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is written in John 11:33 and 38 that Jesus groaned in the Spirit twice when He raised Lazarus from the dead. What infirmity did Jesus have that He needed this ministry of the Holy Spirit? Jesus had no sin but He did have an infirmity. It was His physical mind. Even a sinless human mind could not comprehend raising a man from the grave after four days. If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit to help Him when He didn't know how to pray, then certainly this should be an important ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Note 5 at Rom. 8:26: This intercession of the Holy Spirit is with groanings that cannot be uttered. Some Spirit-filled Christians have said that this means groanings that cannot be uttered in normal speech and that this is referring to speaking in tongues (see note 13 at Mk. 16:17, p. 566 and note 9 at Acts 2:4, p. 577). Yet this is referring to an intercession different from speaking in tongues.

In John 11:33 and 38, Jesus groaned in the Spirit twice. This is the exact terminology that is used here in Romans 8:26, and in those cases it is easy to see that there were no words uttered. It was exactly as the scripture states, a groaning in the Spirit.

Everyone who has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit has or will have this happen to them. Paul was referring to this in Galatians 4:19 when he spoke of travailing in birth for the Galatians. As explained in note 16 at John 11:33, page 369, this groaning of the Holy Spirit is not just a grief but a groan of anger and resistance against Satan's devices in our lives. Many times Christians don't discern this because they think it is just them grieved with their situation. But this is the Holy Spirit desiring to get into intercession with us against our problems.

Although the groaning is unutterable, you can discern it, and many times people react to this with audible groans or other outward acts. This has led to religious doctrines and traditions that are unscriptural and offensive to many people. There is nothing wrong with us reacting to the inner working of the Holy Spirit as long as we don't confuse our reactions with the Holy Spirit's actions. This intercession cannot be uttered.

Any counterfeits that religion may have produced only serve to illustrate that there has to be a genuine. The genuine groaning in the Spirit is priceless.