A study of Romans 8:26f
Rom. 8:26f, is a unique passage in the NT. Its uniqueness is due to two statements. First, the Apostle says that man cannot pray, second, the Apostle speaks of the intercession of the Spirit with groans. These ideas are not expressed anywhere else in the NT. But these two ~strange~ ideas do not make the passage alien in NT writings. In Rom. 8:26f., Paul draws on biblical teachings which were present in his time. (1) The motif of the Spirit's intercession is drawn from (a) the Jewish idea of heavenly intercession; (b) the Spirit as a heavenly intercessor; (c) the role of Jesus as a heavenly intercessor; and (d) Jesus' teaching on the Spirit's advocatory role. (2) We cannot pray because we are ignorant of God's will. This view is expressed in 2 Cor, 12:7-10; Jam, 4:3. (3) The theme of Rom. 8:26f, which is ~prayer and the Spirit~ is found expressed in Rom. 8:15, 16; Eph. 6:18; Jude 20 etc. (4) Rom. 8:26f. forms a complete unit with the preceding verses 18-25 and the ideas expressed in this unit are found elsewhere in biblical writings. The main thought of Rom. 8:26, 27 is that prayer is impossible for man unless the Spirit comes to his aid and intercedes with unutterable groans. These groans are understood by
Obeng, Emmanuel Adow
Philosophy
A study of Romans 8:26f. Rom. 8:26f, is a unique passage in the NT. Its uniqueness is due to two statements. First, the Apostle says that man cannot pray, second, the Apostle speaks of the intercession of the Spirit with groans. These ideas are not expressed anywhere else in the NT. But these two ~strange~ ideas do not make the passage alien in NT writings. In Rom. 8:26f., Paul draws on biblical teachings which were present in his time. (1) The motif of the Spirit's intercession is drawn from (a) the Jewish idea of heavenly intercession; (b) the Spirit as a heavenly intercessor; (c) the role of Jesus as a heavenly intercessor; and (d) Jesus' teaching on the Spirit's advocatory role. (2) We cannot pray because we are ignorant of God's will. This view is expressed in 2 Cor, 12:7-10; Jam, 4:3. (3) The theme of Rom. 8:26f, which is ~prayer and the Spirit~ is found expressed in Rom. 8:15, 16; Eph. 6:18; Jude 20 etc. (4) Rom. 8:26f. forms a complete unit with the preceding verses 18-25 and the ideas expressed in this unit are found elsewhere in biblical writings. The main thought of Rom. 8:26, 27 is that prayer is impossible for man unless the Spirit comes to his aid and intercedes with unutterable groans. These groans are understood by
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