Rom 8:26-34 | RWP | e4.org | Helpeth our infirmity ( συναντιλαμβανετα τη ασθενεια ημων ). Present middle indicative of συναντιλαμβανομα , late and striking double compound (Diodorus, LXX, Josephus, frequent in inscriptions, Deissmann, Light, etc. , p. 87), to lend a hand together with, at the same time with one. Only twice in N.T., here and in Martha's plea for Mary's help. Here beautifully Paul pictures the Holy Spirit taking hold at our side at the very time of our weakness (associative instrumental case) and before too late. How to pray ( το τ προσευξωμεθα ). Articular clause object of οιδαμεν (we know) and indirect question with the deliberative aorist middle subjunctive προσευξωμεθα , retained in the indirect question. As we ought ( καθο δε ). "As it is necessary." How true this is of all of us in our praying. Maketh intercession ( υπερεντυγχανε ). Present active indicative of late double compound, found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, but εντυγχανω occurs in verse (a common verb). It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who "happens on" ( εντυγχανε ) one who is in trouble and "in his behalf" ( υπερ ) pleads "with unuttered groanings" (instrumental case) or with "sighs that baffle words" (Denney). This is work of our Helper, the Spirit himself.

‏ Romans 8:26-34

Helpeth our infirmity ( συναντιλαμβανετα τη ασθενεια ημων ). Present middle indicative of συναντιλαμβανομα, late and striking double compound (Diodorus, LXX, Josephus, frequent in inscriptions, Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 87), to lend a hand together with, at the same time with one. Only twice in N.T., here and Lu 10:40 in Martha's plea for Mary's help. Here beautifully Paul pictures the Holy Spirit taking hold at our side at the very time of our weakness (associative instrumental case) and before too late.

How to pray ( το τ προσευξωμεθα ). Articular clause object of οιδαμεν (we know) and indirect question with the deliberative aorist middle subjunctive προσευξωμεθα, retained in the indirect question.

As we ought ( καθο δε ). "As it is necessary." How true this is of all of us in our praying.

Maketh intercession ( υπερεντυγχανε ). Present active indicative of late double compound, found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, but εντυγχανω occurs in verse 27 (a common verb). It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who "happens on" ( εντυγχανε ) one who is in trouble and "in his behalf" ( υπερ ) pleads "with unuttered groanings" (instrumental case) or with "sighs that baffle words" (Denney). This is work of our Helper, the Spirit himself.

He that searcheth ( ο εραυνων ). God (1Sa 16:7).

According to the will of God ( κατα θεον ). See 2Co 7:9-11 for this phrase κατα θεον (according to God). The Holy Spirit is the "other Paraclete" (Joh 14:16) who pleads God's cause with us as Christ is our Paraclete with the Father (1Jo 2:1). But more is true as here, for the Holy Spirit interprets our prayers to God and "makes intercession for us in accord with God's will."

All things work together ( παντα συνεργε ). A B have ο θεος as the subject of συνεργε (old verb, see on 1Co 16:16; 2Co 6:1). That is the idea anyhow. It is God who makes "all things work together" in our lives "for good" ( εις αγαθον ), ultimate good.

According to his purpose ( κατα προθεσιν ). Old word, seen already in Ac 27:13 and for "shewbread" in Mt 12:4. The verb προτιθημ Paul uses in 3:24 for God's purpose. Paul accepts fully human free agency but behind it all and through it all runs God's sovereignty as here and on its gracious side (9:11; 3:11; 2Ti 1:9).

Foreknew ( προεγνω ). Second aorist active indicative of προγινωσκω, old verb as in Ac 26:5. See Ps 1:6 (LXX) and Mt 7:23. This fore-knowledge and choice is placed in eternity in Eph 1:4.

He foreordained ( προωρισεν ). First aorist active indicative of προοριζω, late verb to appoint beforehand as in Ac 4:28; 1Co 2:7. Another compound with προ- (for eternity).

Conformed to the image ( συμμορφους της εικονος ). Late adjective from συν and μορφη and so an inward and not merely superficial conformity. Εικων is used of Christ as the very image of the Father (2Co 4:4; Col 1:15). See Php 2:6f. for μορφη. Here we have both μορφη and εικων to express the gradual change in us till we acquire the likeness of Christ the Son of God so that we ourselves shall ultimately have the family likeness of sons of God. Glorious destiny.

That he might be ( εις το εινα αυτον ). Common idiom for purpose.

First born among many brethren ( πρωτοτοκον εν πολλοις αδελφοις ). Christ is "first born" of all creation (Col 1:15), but here he is "first born from the dead" (Col 1:18), the Eldest Brother in this family of God's sons, though "Son" in a sense not true of us.

Called ( εκαλεσεν )

--Justified ( εδικαιωσεν )

--Glorified ( εδοξασεν ). All first aorist active indicatives of common verbs ( καλεω, δικαιοω, δοξαζω ). But the glorification is stated as already consummated (constative aorists, all of them), though still in the future in the fullest sense. "The step implied in εδοξασεν is both complete and certain in the Divine counsels" (Sanday and Headlam).

For these things ( προς ταυτα ). From 8:12 on Paul has made a triumphant presentation of the reasons for the certainty of final sanctification of the sons of God. He has reached the climax with glorification ( εδοξασεν in verse 30). But Paul lets the objector have his say as he usually does so that in verses 31-39 he considers the objections.

If God is for us, who is against us? ( ε ο θεος υπερ ημων, τις καθ' ημων? ). This condition of the first class carries Paul's challenge to all doubters. There is no one on a par with God. Note the two prepositions in contrast ( υπερ, over, κατα, down or against).

He that ( ος γε ). "Who as much as this" ( γε here magnifying the deed, intensive particle).

Spared not ( ουκ εφεισατο ). First aorist middle of φειδομα, old verb used about the offering of Isaac in Ge 22:16. See Ac 20:29.

Also with him ( κα συν αυτω ). The gift of "his own son" is the promise and the pledge of the all things for good of verse 28. Christ is all and carries all with him.

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? ( τις εγκαλεσε κατα εκλεκτων θεου? ). Future active indicative of εγκαλεω, old verb, to come forward as accuser (forensic term) in case in court, to impeach, as in Ac 19:40; 23:29; 26:2, the only N.T. examples. Satan is the great Accuser of the brethren.

It is God that justifieth ( θεος ο δικαιων ). God is the Judge who sets us right according to his plan for justification (3:21-31). The Accuser must face the Judge with his charges.

Shall condemn ( κατακρινων ). Can be either present active participle (condemns) or the future (shall condemn). It is a bold accuser who can face God with false charges or with true ones for that matter for we have an "Advocate" at God's Court (1Jo 2:1), "who is at the right hand of God" ( ος εστιν εν δεξια του θεου ) "who also maketh intercession for us" ( ος κα εντυγχανε υπερ ημων ). Our Advocate paid the debt for our sins with his blood. The score is settled. We are free (8:1).