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 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 Corinthians 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. (Matthew 6:4; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalms 7:9; Proverbs 17:3; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 2:10; Acts 1:24; Hebrews 4:13; Revelation 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. disposition produced by the Spirit's teaching-i.e. such as 1 Peter 1:21 /23), the same truth emerges, God knows exactly what you are struggling with. 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 (Romans 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. world cursed by sin (Romans 8:19-22). (3) Redemption of the physical body is coming, just hang on! (Romans 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. (Romans 8:26-27)

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Old Testament