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. AND - rather, 'But' (all inarticulate though these groanings be) he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he-that is, the Spirit. Here our translators have properly departed from the neuter sense of the word "Spirit," when meant of the Holy Spirit; rendering it "He." The pity is that they did not carry out the same principle in the preceding verse, and in . MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO [THE WILL OF] GOD. It had been as well, perhaps, that the words had been allowed to stand without any supplement - "according to God." But if a supplement was to be introduced, 'according to [the mind of] God' would have been better, as correspond...

27._But he who searches hearts_, _etc. _This is a remarkable reason for strengthening our confidence, that we are heard by God when we pray through his Spirit, for he thoroughly knows our desires, even as the thoughts of his own Spirit. And here must be noticed the suitableness of the word to _know; _for it intimates that God regards not these emotions of the Spirit as new and strange, or that he rejects them as unreasonable, but that he allows them, and at the same time kindly accepts them, as allowed and approved by him. As then Paul had before testified, that God then aids us when he draws us as it were into his own bosom, so now he adds another consolation, that our prayers, of which he is the director, shall by no means be disappointed. The reason also is immediately added, because he thus conforms us to his own will. It hence follows, that in vain can never be what is agreeable to...

26,27 Though the infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them. The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter. The Spirit who searches the hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the spirit, the renewed mind, and advocates his cause. The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the enemy prevails not....

Verse 27. _HE MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS_] The word εντυγχανω signifies to apply one's self to a person in behalf of another; to _intercede_ or _negotiate for_. Our Lord makes intercession for us, by _negotiating_ and _managing_, as our friend and agent, all the affairs pertaining to our salvation. And the Spirit of God makes intercession for the saints, not by supplication to God on their behalf, but by _directing_ and _qualifying_ their supplications in a proper manner, by his agency and influence upon their hearts; which, according to the Gospel scheme, is the peculiar work and office of the Holy Spirit. See _Taylor_. _ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD._] κατα θεον. According to the mind, intention, or design of God. And thus the prayers which we offer up, and the desires which subsist in the unutterable groanings, are all such as are pleasing in the sight of God. So that God, wh...

AND HE THAT SEARCHETH THE HEARTS - God. To search the heart is one of his attributes which cannot be communicated to a creature; Jeremiah 17:10. KNOWETH WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT - Knows the desires which the Holy Spirit excites and produces in the heart. He does not need that those deep emotions should be expressed in words; he does not need the eloquence of language to induce him to hear; but he sees the anxious feelings of the soul, and is ready to aid and to bless. MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS - Aids and directs Christians. ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD - Greek, “According to God.” It is according to his will in the following respects: (1) The Spirit is given according to his wi

EXPOSITION ROMANS 8:1 (_c_) _The blessed condition and assured hope of such as are in Christ _Jesus. The summary of the contents of this chapter, which follows the Exposition, may be referred to in the first place by the student, so as to assist comprehension of the line of thought. ROMANS 8:1 THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. (The additional words of this verse in the Textus Receptus have but slight support, having probably been supplied from Romans 8:4. They are out of place here.) "Nunc venit ad liberationem et libertatem. Non autem ponit adversativam δὲ, _autem,_ sed conclusivam a!ra, erg

AND HE THAT SEARCHETH THE HEARTS,.... This is peculiar to God, and a "periphrasis" of him; angels, neither good nor bad, can search into the hearts of men; one man cannot know the heart of another, nor any man fully know his own; this is the prerogative of God: and HE KNOWETH WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT; not the spirit of men, but of God: that affectionate desire and meaning of the Spirit of God, in the unalterable groans of the saints; he knows the wise meaning there is in them, for so φρονημα may signify, and is opposed to the carnal mind, or wisdom of the flesh, which desires foolish things. The searcher of hearts knows this, not barely by his omniscience, but he regards it, approves of it, attends, and gives an answer to it; which is no small encouragement to pray, though it be but with sighs and groans unutterable; since the omniscient God understands, and respects such kind of...

Romans 8:1. _There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit._ To my mind one of the sweetest words of that verse is that little word now. «There is, therefore, now no condemnation» at this very moment. Walking under the power of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus, there is, therefore, now no condemnation to believers. It is a logical conclusion, too, from something that went before. You and I are not absolved from sin apart from the truth, but there is a great truth at the back of it which necessitates it. «There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.» Romans 8:2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Je

CHAPTER 8 _ 1. In Christ; no Condemnation but Deliverance. (Romans 8:1 .)_ 2. Flesh and Spirit. (Romans 8:5 .) 3. The Body and the Spirit. (Romans 8:9 .) 4. Sons and Heirs of God. (Romans 8:12 .) 5. The Time of Travail and Groaning; the Future Redemption. (Romans 8:18 .) 6. The intercession of the Spirit. (Romans 8:26 .) 7. The Saints Calling; the Challenge and the Assurance. ...

THE BIRTH-PANGS OF IMMORTALITY. Romans 8:18. These present sufferings are light beyond comparison, in view of the glory awaiting us at the coming revelation. The destined glory is hidden under a fleshly veil (see Romans 8:10, Php_3:21, Colossians 3:3 f.; also 1 John 3:2). Romans 8:19; Romans 8:22. With this mystery all creation is pregnant, in strained expectancy awaiting the revelation of the sons of God, sighing and groaning in travail-pains....