Romans 8:23-27 (WEL) And not only [all creation], but we ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit. Even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen isn’t hope because why should a person still hope for something that he already sees? 25 But if we hope for something that we don’t see, then we patiently wait for it. 26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we do not know what we need to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with inexpressible sighs. 27 He who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit’s intention [is] because he makes intercession for the saints according to God’s [will].
V23 And not only [all creation], but we ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit. Even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Creation waits for redemption from the curse of sin. We, too, wait for this. We have a new heart (soul and spirit) created when we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The first fruits of the Spirit are Christians under the Gospel of Jesus Christ rather than Mosaic Law.
We are adopted into the family of God when we believe. All is new except for our body. The time will come when we receive a new body like the body of Jesus without pain, corruption, weakness, sickness, etc.
V24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen isn’t hope because why should a person still hope for something that he already sees?
We are saved by faith and as Christians we hope (are in expectation) for all the Bible promises that have promised us. We don’t have all those blessings yet, but they will come. Since there are some promises that have not happened yet, we are in expectation for them to happen. Hope is different than a possibility; it is a guarantee.
V25 But if we hope for something that we don’t see, then we patiently wait for it.
We must wait patiently. Wow! That is hard to do. But at the right time, they will happen.
Faith is believing God; hope is expectation. Jesus promised to return (John 14:1-4); I believe (faith); I expect His return at any time (hope—Titus 2:13) for it is guaranteed by God’s character.
V26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we do not know what we need to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with inexpressible sighs.
We have hope and, in the same way, not knowing how to pray perfectly, we ask of God. The Holy Spirit knows the plan and purposes of God because He is God. He, then, prays interceding for us. The inexpressible sighs/groans express the deep, passionate help that the Holy Spirit gives us. We learn how God is intimately involved in our daily lives.
V27 He who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit’s intention [is] because He makes intercession for the saints according to God’s [will].
He refers to God. The heart is our immaterial nature of emotions, will, intellect, etc.
The Greek word for intention is (G5427) φρόνημα phrónēma, which (Vine NT): “denotes “what one has in the mind, the thought” (the content of the process expressed in phroneo, “to have in mind, to think”); or “an object of thought.” As humans, we do not know God’s purposes (goals) for us, His will for us, or His plans for us.
We learn:
- About hope.
- About the Holy Spirit’s ministry.
Questions:
- As a Christian, what do you hope for?
- Do you praise God for the assistance of the Holy Spirit?