Context No. 4028 of 4322 · Romans
Context · Reflection
Romans 8:26-30: in context
26In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. 27He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. 28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
Paul offers deep comfort to believers who struggle. In the same way, he says, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. When we are so weak or overwhelmed that we do not even know how to pray, the Spirit himself takes up our cause.
And then one of the great promises of Scripture: we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Two truths anchor this passage. In our weakness, we are not alone in prayer; the Spirit himself intercedes for us, carrying to God what we cannot even put into words. And in all our circumstances, even the painful ones, God is at work weaving everything together for the good of those who love him. This does not mean all things are good, but that God works in all of them for our ultimate good, conforming us to the image of his Son. There is rest here for the weak and the suffering.
When I am too weak even to pray, do I trust that the Spirit intercedes for me, and when I face painful circumstances, do I rest in the promise that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him?
Sources
- Romans 8:26: "The Spirit also helps our weaknesses... But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered."
- Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:29: "For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son."