“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:22-27
We see here three persons/things that that are in a current state of groaning. Creation groans (literally “keeps on groaning together and keeps on travailing together”) under the curse of sin; Christians themselves groan within ourselves due to various sufferings and dealing with the vexing sins of our weak flesh that “so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1); and finally the Holy Spirit groans with prayers to aid our cause in this life. The adoption that Christians eagerly wait for describes a believer’s legal relationship to God as a result of God’s grace received by faith. The word “redemption” in the original describes a release or deliverance or manumission achieved by a ransom payment. Our redemption is a sure, completed fact due to Christ’s death on the cross and our belief in Him but will only be realized in full in eternity. In the meantime, we have cause to groan.
However, these verses point out that believers are not left to their own resources in their sufferings and groanings. The Holy Spirt helps (“keeps on helping” in the original) our weaknesses. The word “in” is not in the original. It is not that the Spirit helps in those occasional times when Christians are weak; their state is one of continually weakness and the Spirit continually helps them. “Helps” in the original is a rich word that pictures someone helping another carry a heavy load. One evidence of our weakness is that we do not know how to pray but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (“keeps on interceding”). “Interceding” is only found here in the Scriptures and means “approaches or appeals to someone”.
We are such afflicted, weak, sinful creatures but the Holy Spirit is continually groaning before God, making appeals on our behalf. Though believers are ignorant of what to pray for and how to voice those requests, the Spirit voices their requests for them. We have a powerful help in our weakness. What a comforting thought to face each day with!
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