Romans 8:26

Likewise also Probably the reference of these words is to the thought just previous; the helpgiven to the anxious and weary Christian by a clear view of the ground and object of his Hope. Q. d., "as this view of hope calms and cheers you, so toocalm and strength come from a yet higher source from the direct influences of the Holy Ghost." It is possible to refer "likewise" back to Romans 8:16, q. d., "asthe Spirit witnesses to our son-ship, so tooHe cheers our weakness." But the reference is too remote to suit the character of this passage, where one reason for confidence is heaped at once upon another.

helpeth Not removeth. The causes for "groaning" (Romans 8:24) remain, mysteriously permitted still, until the final rest.

infirmities Or infirmity, as a better reading has it. The word includes all that encumbers and obstructs the "patient expectation;" and, as a special example, weakness and indecision in prayer. It may well indicate (as ch. Romans 5:6) not mere imperfection of strength, but absence of strength; a condition of helplessnesswithout Him.

for we know not, &c. An illustrative case of the general truth. The "know not" cannot mean total ignorance, but ignorance in details. St Chrysostom (quoted by Meyer) gives as an example St Paul's own mistaken prayer, (2 Corinthians 12:8,) which was not granted by the wise love of his Lord. We may instance also St Augustine's remark on the prayer of Monnica that he (Augustine) might not leave her for Italy. He went to Italy, but to be converted there; and thus the Lord "denied her special request to grant her life-long request." (Confessions, Romans 8:8.)

maketh intercession, &c. The practical meaning of these profound words seems to be that the Divine Spirit, by His immediate influence in the saint's soul, which becomes as it were the organ of His own address to the Father, secures the rightness of the essenceof the saint's prayer. E.g. in Monnica's case (see last note) He so worked that her desire to keep Augustine by her was not a mere craving of natural love, but the expression, though imperfect, of a spiritual and intense longing (infused by the Spirit of Adoption) that her child might become a child of God. It is true that in strict language, and no doubt in mysterious reality, the Holy Spirit is said here Himselfto intercede and groan; but we mean that to our understandingssuch intercessions take the form of desires of ours, inspired and secured by Him.

which cannot be uttered i.e. in all the depth of His meaning; which must indeed pass, human words, even when He inspires them. In any special case of prayer the saint may or may not use words;but, anywise, the root-desires that underlie the prayer, being the Holy Spirit's promptings, are "unutterable" to the full.