The Spirit Also Helps

Romans 8:25-28 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

‘Spirit also helps our infirmities’  the blessings of the Holy Spirit are noted as follows: He sets free from sin (8:2); He cancels death penalty (8:2); He fulfils righteousness (8:4-5); He indwells believers (8:9-11); He gives life (8:10); He quickens the mortal body (8:11); He mortifies sinful members (8:13); He leads children of God (8:14); He adopts into God’s family (8:15); He bears witness of sonship (8:16); He helps infirmities (8:26) and He makes intercession for saints (8:26).

‘Helps’ [Greek: sunantilambanomai] joint help. It is the assistance afforded by any two persons to each other, who mutually bear the same load or carry it between them.

‘Infirmities’ our physical, mental, or moral weakness or flaws.

‘For we know not what we should pray for as we ought’ we would make many mistakes in prayer if the Spirit did not inspire us with proper desires and help us fulfil those desires in the will of God.

‘Itself’ Himself, for He is a person. It is of the greatest importance that we believe in the divinity of the Holy Spirit, and also His personality. It is only when we learn these truths that we can give Him the honour, worship, adoration, and personal respect that we give to God. We must learn that the Holy Spirit is not a mere power that we need to get hold of and use, but we must learn that He is a person who is infinitely wise, holy, just, and gracious, and who seeks to get hold of us and use us. We must become acquainted with Him as a person and not merely as an influence or power derived from a person. The following points prove that He is a real person: Personal names are given to Him; personal pronouns are used of Him (John 14:16-26; 15:26; 16:7-15); personal attributes are ascribed to Him; personal works are ascribed to Him; personal references are made concerning Him; personal treatment is ascribed to Him. He can be resisted (Acts 7:51); tempted (Acts 5:9); grieved (Eph. 4:30); lied to (Acts 5:3-4); blasphemed (Matt. 12:31-32); insulted (Matt. 12:31-32; Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-29); quenched (1Thess. 5:19); vexed (Ps. 78:40; Isa. 63:10); quieted (Zech 6:8); fellowshipped (Php. 2:1); and otherwise mistreated or obeyed like any other person. In the Holy Spirit’s relationship to men, He is spoken of as searching hearts, regenerating, sanctifying, helping, convicting, teaching, quickening, guiding, witnessing, interceding, revealing, working, hearing, speaking, helping, communing, appointing, commanding, counselling, comforting, inspiring, assuring, calling, hearing, and in many ways acting as a real person.

‘Intercession’ [Greek: huperentungchano] to apply one’s self to intercede for another.

‘Groanings’ [Greek: stenagmos] unutterable gushing of the heart.

‘He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit’ this is no doubt Christ who knows the mind of the Spirit. It would seem out of place to state that the Spirit knows His own mind. All three persons of the Trinity search hearts: God the Father (1Chron. 28:9; Jer. 17:10); the Son (Rev. 2:23); and the Spirit (1Cor. 2:10).

‘Intercession’ [Greek: entungchano] to intercede; to act as an agent or manager in all phases of salvation and dealings with God (8:27, 34; 11:2; Heb. 7:25). Translated “deal with” in Acts 25:24.

‘Work together’ [Greek: sunergeo] While all things are working, God’s providence is working on behalf of them who love God and who walk obediently according to His purpose.