ROMANS 8:26-31

 

 

 

 

Romans 8:26 “And 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”

 

"In like manner"-“in the same way’ (NASV).  In the same way that patience helps us through the times of our suffering, we are told that the Spirit also helps us.  Or, seeing that the Spirit assists us in other areas (8:14-16), He also helps us in our infirmities."Helpeth"-to take hold of opposite together, i.e. co-operate. “To lend a hand” (Luke 10:40).  “To lend a hand together with, at the same time with one” (Robertson p. 376). "Infirmity"-Feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty, disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.  “Helps us in our present limitations” (Phi). A specific 'weakness' in the context is a "weakness" in the area of our prayers. "We know not how to pray as we ought"-“This is a comforting verse, for it let's us know that it is possible to be pleasing to the Lord even if prayer life isn't perfected (Need I say we would all want a more radiant and vibrant prayer-life?).” [1] Jesus did teach us how to pray (Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 11:1-2-4).  Paul isn't saying that we never know for what to ask or pray (James 4:3; 1 John 5:14).  This verse is encouragement during those times when the sufferings of this present time (8:18) leave the Christian frustrated in prayer, and frustrated that they are unable to put into words their hearts desire. "Maketh intercession" - to intercede in behalf of. Jesus spoke of the Spirit as another “Helper”, Greek Paracletos, one called alongside to help (John 14:16). "With groanings which cannot be uttered"-”with groanings too deep for words” (NASV); “groans for deliverance which words cannot utter” (Con). This may mean either unutterable or unuttered (Vincent p. 95).

 

POINTS TO NOTE: Paul isn't saying that the Spirit does our praying for us, for praying persistently is the obligation of man (1 Thess. 5:17). I don't think that the "groanings too deep for words", are the Holy Spirit's, but rather our "groanings" (8:23).   These are the "groanings" found in the soul (“mind of the spirit”) of the Christian who is attempting to follow the guidance of the Spirit (8:27). Neither do I think that Paul is saying that the “Spirit groans within us”, or that the “Spirit” causes us to groan in some mysterious way.

 

Romans 8:27 “and 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”

 

"He"-this is either the Father or the Holy Spirit.  Paul is saying, “The Father that searches the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit makes intercession, or “The Holy Spirit searches the hearts (The Father uses Him to search hearts: 1 Cor. 2:10) and knows what is the mind of the human spirit (the source of the Christian's innermost "groanings"), because the Holy Spirit makes intercession. "Searcheth the hearts"-this strikes fear into the ungodly or hypocritical, but gives comfort to the sincere (Matt. 6:4; 1 Chron. 28:9; Psalm 7:9; Prov. 17:3; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; Acts 1:24; Heb. 4:13; Rev. 2:23)."Knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit"-either way you take this expression (mind of the Holy Spirit or mind of the soul of man, or a disposition produced by the Spirit's teaching, such as Phil. 1:21-23), the same truth emerges, God knows our struggles!  God knows perfectly the frustrations that are inside you, so don't get discouraged if you can't put into words or enough words what is pressing down upon you, God knows!  God says relax, nothing is being lost in the translation. “Sometimes we don't know what really to want--but God understands it all” (McGuiggan p. 260). "According to the will of God"-God wants to know everything in our hearts.  God is concerned!  God doesn't feel bothered by our problems. So far Paul has encouraged us to endure the sufferings of the present time because:  (1) Heaven is worth it, by far (8:18), no comparison. (2) The Whole Creation is in sympathy with us and we are not the only ones suffering.  Everyone and everything suffers and feels the effects of living in a world cursed by sin (8:19-22).  (3) Redemption of the physical body is coming, just hang on! (8:23-25).  (4) While in the body, the Spirit ensures that God gets every bit of the desire in the heart of the Christian, even if it's unexpressed or poorly expressed (8:26-27). 

 

Romans 8:28 “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, {even} to them that are called according to {his} purpose”

 

"We know"-in a sense this is one ground more for believing in the glorious future (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 651-652).  “This is the knowledge of settled conviction.  This is the knowledge which comes as a result of having all the facts in, and having drawn a conclusion in line with those facts” (McGuiggan p. 260). "To them that love God" - the obedient (John 14:15; 1 John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 6). "All things work together for good"- “Somebody said that doubt of the future really means doubt of the present.  If God is God and can handle things today, he can handle them tomorrow.  There is room for doubt only when I take my eyes off the record of God” (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Peter 2:9). The assurance of this verse is for those WHO CONTINUE TO LOVE GOD. “These things being true there is nothing that doesn't work for good, not poverty, pain, illness, sin nor anything else.  Paul's messenger of Satan served God's purpose in driving Paul to greater dependence on God (because Paul let it).  Peter's ungodly denial of his Master prodded him on in his loving of his Lord.  Paul's persecution of the Church, inspired him to greater commitment. 1 Cor. 15:10 “...but I labored even more than all of them..”. “Blessings?”  What are these?  If they turn you from God, they're curses!  If your possessions (health, happiness, athletic ability, education, children, or any other lovely thing) turn you unhealthily inward, they're not blessings at all!  “Disadvantages”, “tragedies”?  What are these?  If the car wreck and the loss of your limb enable you to better serve God by understanding and serving mankind, you were blessed; not cursed!  If your poverty increases your appreciation for the things you have, your 'disadvantage' has become your benefactor.'”[2] All things can work together for good, to those that love God, because such people will ALLOW good to surface from even the worst experiences.  Suffering that hasn't been allowed to result in personal growth, greater insight, greater appreciation, or some other good, has been suffering in vain!  Too many Christians think that God is going to bring the good out of hard times, without their cooperation.  Such is not the case.  Paul had learned the above lesson by experience (Philippians 1:12).  "Called according to His purpose"-God "calls all men" (2 Thess. 2:14; Mark 16:15).  This applies to those that accept such a call, that is those who love God.

 

 

Romans 8:29 “For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained {to be} conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren”

 

"For" - connects with verse 28.  Here is the ground of assurance for the statement made in the previous verse, that “all things work together for good to those that love God”. "Whom he foreknew, he also foreordained"-this isn't predestination in the sense of specific individuals were predestined, rather God chose beforehand the place or realm of salvation (“in Christ”-Eph. 1:4 “in Him”), what such people that chose to enter into this union would be called (“sons”-Eph. 1:5); what type of service God wanted them to perform (Eph. 2:10), and what type of character they would have,  “conformed to the image of his Son” (Colossians 3:10). God did know ahead of time where salvation would be placed, what it's terms of admission would be, what the saved would be called, in what the saved would be involved, and what type of character the saved would demonstrate.  But as to specifically who would end up saved, that was left up to free-will choice.  When one becomes a Christian he or she becomes part of a foreknown relationship.  Therefore, in this new relationship that I have chosen, I know that everything that happens can work for my good, because what God wants from me, is conformity to the image of His Son Jesus (Eph. 4:23-24,32; 5:1-2); therefore everything that happens in my life has been allowed to happen (by God) and that can be used for spiritual good (1 Cor. 10:13). "To be conformed"-with an inner and essential conformity (Vincent p. 96); “Moulded into the image of his Son'”(Knox). “Inward and not merely superficial conformity” (Robertson p. 377). "Image of his Son" - representation, resemblance. The "class" of people predestined were those that would choose to want to "look like God's Son", and not the world (Romans 12:2).  God has no place in His glorious plan for people that don't want to pattern their lives after Jesus Christ! (1 Cor. 11:1)  Right here predestination of the Calvinistic brand is shown to be false.  For according to that teaching God predestined people for salvation, regardless of how they would live or the choices they would make. "That He might be the firstborn"-Christ is the firstborn (Col. 1:15).  The word firstborn stresses eminence rather than first in time (Colossians 1:18)."among many brethren"-us, Christians (Heb. 2:11).  This phrase places Christ among mankind.  Without surrendering His essence (Godhood/Divine Nature), Christ took His place among the creatures (Phil. 2:5ff), and He shared with us the experience of living as a man (Heb. 4:15), even to the point of sharing the experience of death (Phil. 2:8).  "He took upon himself our limitations and fought the battle against sin with the weapons we had at our disposal (Matthew 4) and conquered sin.  He has shown Himself to be worthy to be our Lord.  In His weakness or His strength He has shown us He is worthy.  He is no spectator. Christ is firmly identified with us” (McGuiggan p. 262).  Such a person DESERVES TO BE IMITATED!  Anyone that would ask the question, “Why do I need to follow Jesus?”  Is in desperate need of teaching about Jesus!

 

Romans 8:30 “and whom He foreordained, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified”

 

In this verse we see the whole scheme of redemption.  God chose beforehand where salvation would be found (Eph. 1:4) and what "type" of person would obtain it, a good and honest heart, one who could trust God (Romans 1:17).  God then "called". “Paul was of the conviction that people couldn't call on Christ if they hadn’t believed on Him, and he was equally convicted that people couldn't believe on Him if they didn't get to hear the Gospel” (Romans 10:13,14,17) (McGuiggan p. 264).  But this "call" isn't irresistible (Mark 16:15-16; John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Acts 7:51).  Only those that accept the gospel message end up justified (acquitted of their sins) (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38,41).  And those that endure with Christ, end up gloried (Romans 8:17). In this context of suffering, Paul reveals that God is both willing and able to complete His purpose in those that will simply cooperate with Him.

 

Romans 8:31”What then shall we say to these things? If God {is} for us, who {is} against us?”

 

"What then shall we say to these things?"-“In face of all this, what is there left to say?” (Phi)  “What answers can the hesitating or discouraged find to this array of the merciful acts of God's love on behalf of the believer?” (Alford p. 915).  “They certainly cannot stand and lament as though theirs is a sad lot.  They must be ashamed of all doubt or complaint” (Lenski p. 564). "If God is for us, who is against us?"-“If such a God is so for us, what difference does it make who is listed in the ranks of the opponents?  Of course, the other question is fearful too: "If God is against us, what difference does it make who is for us?" (McGuiggan p. 264) (Psalm 118:6). “Paul for a moment envisages the situation in terms of a court of law, where the believer stands to be judged.  But who will dare to come forward as prosecutor?  God Himself, the Judge of all, has pronounced his acquittal and justification; who can call His sentence in question?” [3]

 

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017

www.ch-of-christ.beaverton.or.us

 

 

 

 

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?

 

            "He that spared not his own Son"-an echo of Genesis 22:12.  'God searched heaven and earth to find a way to redeem us.  There was no one; there was nothing. Only His Son!  And God wouldn't even spare him.  Does God want me saved?' [4]

 

Application Time:

 

            How many don't believe that God really loves them, until God gives them 'something else' in addition to His Son?  'If God really loved me then He would give me...a baby, nice house, my health back, wealth, a mate...etc..'  Do you actually need some physical or material thing to 'perfect' the gift of Christ?  So the gift of Christ isn't that impressive until I get my other 'stuff' first?  How many people 'hold God to ransom' for such things as these?  How many say, 'God IF YOU LOVED ME YOU WOULD GIVE ME.....'.  Resist that temptation!  There is no 'if' when it comes to God's love for us!

 

            "freely give us all things"-Matthew 6:33

 

           

            Romans 8:33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth;

 

            "lay anything to the charge of God's elect"-if some are against us (8:31), then certainly they will make accusations against us.  God's people have always had their enemies. (1 Peter 2:12)  But since God (the Judge) has acquitted us of our sins, 'no one can reopen the case against us, so, too, no contrary verdict need be feared.' (Erdman p. 106)

 

Some Christians are haunted by sins they committed in the past.  But if you have obeyed God and found forgiveness, the charges have been dropped.

 

            Romans 8:34 who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 

            "Who also maketh intercession for us"-we have an "Advocate" at God's Court (1 John 2:1; Hebrews 7:25)

 

            1. Since Christians have a ready and willing Advocate constantly at the right hand of God.  Who is always available for the repentant and humble.  There is no reason that the Christian should find himself in condemnation!  With such Divine Help so near, the Christian doesn't need to fear the future.

 

            2. Having such an Advocate, the Christian that quits in frustration, complaining that it is too hard to live the Christian life, is without excuse. 

 

 

            Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

            "from the love of Christ"-this is Christ's love for us.  Can any one lead Christ to cease loving us?  The items mentioned will not make Christ love us less.

 

            "Shall tribulation..."-'The world likes to point to our afflictions as proof of the fact that Christ has ceased to love us, or that his love is imaginary'. (Lenski p. 573)

 

Some people point to what we were before we became Christians, and say, 'God can never love you', others point to the sins we have committed since, and say, 'Your hopeless'.  But those that seek God on His terms are forgiven, regardless of what others say.  Some say, if God really loved you (as you claimed) God would certainly have given you a mate, children, health, prosperity, etc. by now.

 

            Romans 8:36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

Psalm 44:23.  God's people have always endured their share of suffering.  Those that God clearly loved in the past, have endured the same type of things.

 

            Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

            "in all these things"-or despite of all these trials. 'Yet amidst all these things'(TCNT)

 

            "More than conquerors"-5245. hupernikao {hoop-er-nik-ah'-o}; from 5228 and 3528; to vanquish beyond, i.e. gain a decisive victory: -more than conquer.

 

Not only do such things fail to convince us that God no longer loves us, they only make us more convinced that a better life lies beyond. (8:18)

 

            Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

 

            "For I am persuaded"-'I stand convinced' (Robertson p. 379)  This is the key, as to why some Christians fail and others succeed.  It all comes down to 'conviction, faith, trust' (1:17).  The person that can't allow themselves to trust God, will fail!  The good news is 'trust' is something that we have control over.  We don't have control over the 'externals nor many of the circumstances', but we do have control over what we choose to believe!  And 'who' we choose to trust.

 

            Romans 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Modern Application:

 

'Paul took one good long look at the Cross of the Master and from that time forth, he said:  "I cannot be convinced that God doesn't love me!" "And there's nothing in the world or out of it that can change my mind."  This man, in essence, has told us:  "If I had children and they were starving to death, bellies distended, eyes sunken, too weak to cry, but able yet to beg with their eyes for food, of me their father who could provide nothing; if that were the case, I'd remain unconvinced that God didn't love me...And what is all that based on?  An emotional surge?  The possession of the comforts of life?  Having a sound mind and enjoying a sound body?  Is this the basis of his convictions?  Are these the things which lead him to defy everything in heaven were it so, when these things were taken away the conviction would be gone.  This conviction is based on the historical and historic work of God in Jesus Christ.  LET NO MAN SAY, BECAUSE OF WAR AND FAMINE AND DISEASE I CANNOT BELIEVE IN A LOVING GOD. LET HIM LOOK BACK TO GOLGOTHA AND SEE THE DIVINE EXHIBITION WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE MIDST OF WAR AND CURSING AND WICKEDNESS.  TO THE TIME AND PLACE WERE GOD SAID:  I DO LOVE YOU, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.  TRUST ME!' [5]

---