Page 32 - Teach us how to Pray - Book Layout - PDF

 How do you think the Holy Spirit helps us when we don’t
know the unrevealed (secret) will of God?

DIGGING DEEPER
Groanings to Deep for Words

Romans 8:26 says that the Holy Spirit intercedes with “groanings
too deep for words” / “groanings which cannot be uttered.” Many
have argued over the years whether these words refer directly to
the Holy Spirit or indirectly to man. Some say the words “cannot be
uttered” could not be applied to a Divine person. That does not
sound like a strong argument. Those who hold this standpoint even
use Galatians 4:6 as an argument by saying that the Spirit is crying
“Abba! Father!” They say that cannot be because God cannot be the
Father of the Holy Spirit. So, it must mean the uttering of the
children of God. They continue and apply that argument to Romans
8:26 also. Again, it does not sound like a good argument.

Here are some reasons why these groanings are not the groanings
of man, but of the Holy Spirit.

1. Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:26n differs in that Paul specifies
the Holy Spirit strongly by saying, the “Holy Spirit Himself.”

2. To make this emphasize clear, he continues in verse 27 by
saying, “And He who searches the heart knows what the
intention of THE SPIRIT is.” Not the intention of the
believers, but the intention of the Spirit!

3. If we look at the context of Romans 8 we see two other
groanings mentioned to us before this verse:
 The groanings of creation (see verses 19-22); drought
 The groanings of God’s children (verses23-25)
 The groanings of the Holy Spirit (verse 27)
4. In verse 26 these groanings and intercession of the Holy
Spirit are linked unmistakably clear. The same verb for the
Holy Spirit’s intercession here (verse 27) is used for Jesus
Christ’s intercession in verse 34.