The Meaning of Romans 8:26 Explained

Romans 8:26

KJV: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

YLT: And, in like manner also, the Spirit doth help our weaknesses; for, what we may pray for, as it behoveth us, we have not known, but the Spirit himself doth make intercession for us with groanings unutterable,

Darby: And in like manner the Spirit joins also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.

ASV: And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

<1161> Likewise  the Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities:  for  we know  not  what  we should pray for  as  we ought:  but  the Spirit  itself  maketh intercession  for  us  with groanings  which cannot be uttered. 

What does Romans 8:26 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Hope helps us in our sufferings ( Romans 8:24-25) and so does the Holy Spirit. The context suggests that our "weakness" probably refers to all our limitations as creatures (cf. Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
The NASB translators understood Paul to be saying, "We do not know how to pray as we should," which implies ignorance concerning the proper method and procedure in prayer. The NIV translators thought he meant, "We do not know what we ought to pray for," implying ignorance regarding the content and subjects of our praying. The Greek text permits either interpretation, though it favors the former one. Jesus gave instruction to His disciples about both content and method ( Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 11:2-4).
Perhaps what Paul meant was this. We know how to approach God in prayer and the general subjects that we should pray about. Still we struggle with exactly how to pray most effectively and with exactly what to pray about. The basic principle of effective praying is that it must be in harmony with the will of God to be effective ( 1 John 5:14-15; John 14:13; John 15:16; John 16:23-24). [1] However what the will of God is is often hard for us to ascertain. The Holy Spirit comes to our aid by interceding for us. "Intercede" means to pray for someone else. "Groanings" or "groans" expresses feelings of compassion for our weak condition. The Holy Spirit requests the Father"s help for us with deep compassion (cf. Ephesians 6:18).
We should not confuse these "groanings" with praying in tongues. This passage promises all Christians God"s help, not just those who had the gift of tongues. Furthermore the Scriptures never connect the gift of tongues with intercessory prayer. This verse seems to be saying that the Holy Spirit prays for us, not that He prays through us to the Father. [2]
"I take it that Paul is saying, then, that our failure to know God"s will and consequent inability to petition God specifically and assuredly is met by God"s Spirit, who himself expresses to God those intercessory petitions that perfectly match the will of God. When we do not know what to pray for-yes, even when we pray for things that are not best for us-we need not despair, for we can depend on the Spirit"s ministry of perfect intercession "on our behalf."" [3]

Context Summary

Romans 8:18-30 - Hoping For The Completed Redemption
Creation groans for freedom from the serpent's trail. Like a captive maiden she sighs to be delivered from the curse which sin has brought upon her. The saints groan for the resurrection of the body and their full admission into the complete enjoyment of redemption. The Spirit also groans for the speedy accomplishment of God's purposes-the salvation of the lost, the unity of the Church, and the advent of the Father's kingdom. His yearnings express themselves through the prayers of the saints.
Sorrowful soul, take comfort from Romans 8:28! All things are working; there is no stagnation. They are working together, like the cogs of two wheels revolving in different directions. They are all working for good. The only condition is love on our part. Those who love God are loved by God, and all winds blow from the quarter of God's love. And that love is a sure sign and token that they have been called; and if called, they may be sure that they are on the moving stairway which is bearing them up and on through successive stages to glory. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 8

1  Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation
5  What harm comes of the flesh;
13  and what good of the Spirit
19  The glorious deliverance the creation longs for,
29  was beforehand decreed from God
38  Nothing can sever us from his love

Greek Commentary for Romans 8:26

Helpeth our infirmity [συναντιλαμβανεται τηι αστενειαι ημων]
Present middle indicative of συναντιλαμβανομαι — sunantilambanomai 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 Luke 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. [source]
How to pray [το τι προσευχωμετα]
Articular clause object of οιδαμεν — oidamen (we know) and indirect question with the deliberative aorist middle subjunctive προσευχωμετα — proseuxōmetha retained in the indirect question. As we ought (κατο δει — katho dei). “As it is necessary.” How true this is of all of us in our praying. Maketh intercession Present active indicative of late double compound, found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, but εντυγχανω — entugchanō occurs in Romans 8:27 (a common verb). It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who “happens on” This is work of our Helper, the Spirit himself. [source]
As we ought [κατο δει]
“As it is necessary.” How true this is of all of us in our praying. [source]
Maketh intercession [υπερεντυγχανει]
Present active indicative of late double compound, found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, but εντυγχανω — entugchanō occurs in Romans 8:27 (a common verb). It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who “happens on” This is work of our Helper, the Spirit himself. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 8:26

Luke 10:40 Help [συναντιλάβηται]
The verb consists of three elements: λαμβάνω ,to take hold; σύν ,together with; ἀντι , reciprocally - doing her part as Martha does hers. It might be paraphrased, therefore, take hold and do her part along with me. It occurs only here and Romans 8:26, of the Spirit helping our infirmities, where all the elements of the verb are strikingly exemplified. [source]
John 14:16 Comforter [παράκλητον]
Only in John's Gospel and First Epistle (John 14:16, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; 1 John 2:13. From παρά , to the side of, and καλέω , to summon. Hence, originally, one who is called to another's side to aid him, as an advocate in a court of justice. The later, Hellenistic use of παρακαλεῖν and παράκλησις , to denote the act of consoling and consolation, gave rise to the rendering Comforter, which is given in every instance in the Gospel, but is changed to advocate in 1 John 2:1, agreeably to its uniform signification in classical Greek. The argument in favor of this rendering throughout is conclusive. It is urged that the rendering Comforter is justified by the fact that, in its original sense, it means more than a mere consoler, being derived from the Latin confortare, to strengthen, and that the Comforter is therefore one who strengthens the cause and the courage of his client at the bar: but, as Bishop Lightfoot observes, the history of this interpretation shows that it is not reached by this process, but grew out of a grammatical error, and that therefore this account can only be accepted as an apology after the fact, and not as an explanation of the fact. The Holy Spirit is, therefore, by the word παράκλητος , of which Paraclete is a transcription, represented as our Advocate or Counsel, “who suggests true reasonings to our minds, and true courses of action for our lives, who convicts our adversary, the world, of wrong, and pleads our cause before God our Father.” It is to be noted that Jesus as well as the Holy Spirit is represented as Paraclete. The Holy Spirit is to be another Paraclete, and this falls in with the statement in the First Epistle, “we have an advocate with God, even Jesus Christ.” Compare Romans 8:26. See on Luke 6:24. Note also that the word another is ἄλλον , and not ἕτερον , which means different. The advocate who is to be sent is not different from Christ, but another similar to Himself. See on Matthew 6:24. [source]
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father [καγω ερωτησω τον πατερα]
Ερωταω — Erōtaō for prayer, not question (the old use), also in John 16:23 (prayer to Jesus in same sense as αιτεω — aiteō), John 14:26 (by Jesus as here); John 17:9 (by Jesus), “make request of.” Another Comforter Another of like kind This old word (Demosthenes), from παρακαλεω — parakaleō was used for legal assistant, pleader, advocate, one who pleads another‘s cause (Josephus, Philo, in illiterate papyrus), in N.T. only in John‘s writings, though the idea of it is in Romans 8:26-34. Cf. Deissmann, Light, etcp. 336. So the Christian has Christ as his Paraclete with the Father, the Holy Spirit as the Father‘s Paraclete with us (John 14:16, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; 1 John 2:1). For ever This the purpose See John 4:14 for the idiom. [source]
Acts 7:34 The affliction [την κακωσιν]
From κακοω — kakoō to treat evilly (from κακος — kakos evil). Old word, here only in the N.T. and from Exodus 3:7. Groaning (στεναγμου — stenagmou). Old word from στεναζω — stenazō to sigh, to groan. In the N.T. only here and Romans 8:26. Root στεν — sten in our word stentorian. I am come down Second aorist active indicative of καταβαινω — katabainō I came down. To deliver (εχελεσται — exelesthai). Second aorist middle infinitive of εχαιρεω — exaireō to take out for myself. I will send First aorist active subjunctive (hortatory of αποστελλω — apostellō “Let me send”). [source]
Acts 7:34 Groaning [στεναγμου]
Old word from στεναζω — stenazō to sigh, to groan. In the N.T. only here and Romans 8:26. Root στεν — sten in our word stentorian. [source]
Romans 8:4 The Spirit [πνεῦμα]
From πνέω tobreathe or blow. The primary conception is wind or breath. Breath being the sign and condition of life in man, it comes to signify life. In this sense, physiologically considered, it is frequent in the classics. In the psychological sense, never. In the Old Testament it is ordinarily the translation of ruach It is also used to translate chai life, Isaiah 38:12; nbreath, 1 Kings 17:17. In the New Testament it occurs in the sense of wind or breath, John 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 1:7. Closely related to the physiological sense are such passages as Luke 8:55; James 2:26; Revelation 13:15. Pauline Usage: 1. Breath, 2 Thessalonians 2:8. 2. The spirit or mind of man; the inward, self-conscious principle which feels and thinks and wills (1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:34; Colossians 2:5). In this sense it is distinguished from σῶμα bodyor accompanied with a personal pronoun in the genitive, as my, our, his spirit (Romans 1:9; Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 5:4; 1 Corinthians 16:18, etc.). It is used as parallel with ψυχή souland καρδία heartSee 1 Corinthians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:17; and compare John 13:21and John 12:27; Matthew 26:38and Luke 1:46, Luke 1:47. But while ψυχή soulis represented as the subject of life, πνεύμα spiritrepresents the principle of life, having independent activity in all circumstances of the perceptive and emotional life, and never as the subject. Generally, πνεύμα spiritmay be described as the principle, ψυχή soulas the subject, and καρδία heartas the organ of life. 3. The spiritual nature of Christ. Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Timothy 3:16. 4. The divine power or influence belonging to God, and communicated in Christ to men, in virtue of which they become πνευματικοί spiritual - recipientsand organs of the Spirit. This is Paul's most common use of the word. Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 4:6; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:8. In this sense it appears as: a. Spirit of God. Romans 8:9, Romans 8:11, Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 7:40; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Ephesians 3:16. b. Spirit of Christ. Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:6; Philemon 1:19. c. Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:8, etc. d. Spirit. With or without the article, but with its reference to the Spirit of God or Holy Spirit indicated by the context. Romans 8:16, Romans 8:23, Romans 8:26, Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, etc. 5. A power or influence, the character, manifestations, or results of which are more peculiarly defined by qualifying genitives. Thus spirit of meekness, faith, power, wisdom. Romans 8:2, Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:7, etc. These combinations with the genitives are not mere periphrases for a faculty or disposition of man. By the spirit of meekness or wisdom, for instance, is not meant merely a meek or wise spirit; but that meekness, wisdom, power, etc., are gifts of the Spirit of God. This usage is according to Old Testament analogy. Compare Exodus 28:3; Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31; Isaiah 11:2. 6. In the plural, used of spiritual gifts or of those who profess to be under spiritual influence, 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:12. 7. Powers or influences alien or averse from the divine Spirit, but with some qualifying word. Thus, the spirit of the world; another spirit; spirit of slumber. Romans 11:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:7. Where these expressions are in negative form they are framed after the analogy of the positive counterpart with which they are placed in contrast. Thus Romans 8:15: “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage, but of adoption. In other cases, as Ephesians 2:2, where the expression is positive, the conception is shaped according to Old-Testament usage, where spirits of evil are conceived as issuing from, and dependent upon, God, so far as He permits their operation and makes them subservient to His own ends. See Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 16:14-16, 1 Samuel 16:23; 1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Kings 22:21sqq.; Isaiah 19:4. Spirit is found contrasted with letter, Romans 2:29; Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6. With flesh, Romans 8:1-13; Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:24. It is frequently associated with the idea of power (Romans 1:4; Romans 15:13, Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Galatians 3:5; Ephesians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:7); and the verb ἐνεργεῖν , denoting to work efficaciously, is used to mark its special operation (1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 3:20; Philemon 2:13; Colossians 1:29). It is also closely associated with life, Romans 8:2, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:11, Romans 8:13; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 1 Corinthians 15:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 5:25; Galatians 6:8. It is the common possession of the Church and its members; not an occasional gift, but an essential element and mark of the christian life; not appearing merely or mainly in exceptional, marvelous, ecstatic demonstrations, but as the motive and mainspring of all christian action and feeling. It reveals itself in confession (1 Corinthians 12:3); in the consciousness of sonship (Romans 8:16); in the knowledge of the love of God (Romans 5:5); in the peace and joy of faith (Romans 14:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6); in hope (Romans 5:5; Romans 15:13). It leads believers (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18): they serve in newness of the Spirit (Romans 7:6) They walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:4, Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:16-25). Through the Spirit they are sanctified (2 Thessalonians 2:13). It manifests itself in the diversity of forms and operations, appearing under two main aspects: a difference of gifts, and a difference of functions. See Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 4:30; Philemon 2:1; [source]
Romans 11:2 He maketh intercession [ἐντυγχάνει]
See on Romans 8:26. Rev., pleadeth. [source]
Romans 13:9 For this [το γαρ]
For the article (το — to) pointing to a sentence see note on Romans 8:26, here to the quotation. The order of the commandments here is like that in Luke 18:20; James 2:11 and in B for Deuteronomy 5, but different from that of the Hebrew in Ex 20; Deuteronomy 5. The use of ου — ou with the volitive future in prohibitions in place of μη — mē and the imperative or subjunctive is a regular Greek idiom. [source]
1 Corinthians 2:11 The Spirit of God [το εν αυτωι]
Note the absence of Πνευμα — to en autōi It is not the mere self-consciousness of God, but the personal Holy Spirit in his relation to God the Father. Paul‘s analogy between the spirit of man and the Spirit of God does not hold clear through and he guards it at this vital point as he does elsewhere as in Romans 8:26 and in the full Trinitarian benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:13. Pneuma in itself merely means breath or wind as in John 3:8. To know accurately Paul‘s use of the word in every instance calls for an adequate knowledge of his theology, and psychology. But the point here is plain. God‘s Holy Spirit is amply qualified to make the revelation claimed here in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10. [source]
1 Corinthians 2:11 The spirit of man that is in him [αντρωπος]
The self-consciousness of man that resides in the man or woman (generic term for mankind, το πνευμα του τεου — anthrōpos). The Spirit of God (το εν αυτωι — to pneuma tou theou). Note the absence of Πνευμα — to en autōi It is not the mere self-consciousness of God, but the personal Holy Spirit in his relation to God the Father. Paul‘s analogy between the spirit of man and the Spirit of God does not hold clear through and he guards it at this vital point as he does elsewhere as in Romans 8:26 and in the full Trinitarian benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:13. Pneuma in itself merely means breath or wind as in John 3:8. To know accurately Paul‘s use of the word in every instance calls for an adequate knowledge of his theology, and psychology. But the point here is plain. God‘s Holy Spirit is amply qualified to make the revelation claimed here in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10. [source]
Galatians 4:6 The Spirit of his Son [το πνευμα του υιοι αυτου]
The Holy Spirit, called the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9.), the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philemon 1:19). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son (John 15:26). Crying, Abba, Father (κραζον Αββα ο πατηρ — krazon Abba ho patēr). The participle agrees with πνευμα — pneuma neuter (grammatical gender), not neuter in fact. An old, though rare in present as here, onomatopoetic word to croak as a raven (Theophrastus, like Poe‘s The Raven), any inarticulate cry like “the unuttered groanings” of Romans 8:26 which God understands. This cry comes from the Spirit of Christ in our hearts. Αββα — Abba is the Aramaic word for father with the article and ο πατηρ — ho patēr translates it. The articular form occurs in the vocative as in John 20:28. It is possible that the repetition here and in Romans 8:15 may be “a sort of affectionate fondness for the very term that Jesus himself used” (Burton) in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:36). The rabbis preserve similar parallels. Most of the Jews knew both Greek and Aramaic. But there remains the question why Jesus used both in his prayer. Was it not natural for both words to come to him in his hour of agony as in his childhood? The same thing may be true here in Paul‘s case. [source]
Galatians 4:6 Crying, Abba, Father [κραζον Αββα ο πατηρ]
The participle agrees with πνευμα — pneuma neuter (grammatical gender), not neuter in fact. An old, though rare in present as here, onomatopoetic word to croak as a raven (Theophrastus, like Poe‘s The Raven), any inarticulate cry like “the unuttered groanings” of Romans 8:26 which God understands. This cry comes from the Spirit of Christ in our hearts. Αββα — Abba is the Aramaic word for father with the article and ο πατηρ — ho patēr translates it. The articular form occurs in the vocative as in John 20:28. It is possible that the repetition here and in Romans 8:15 may be “a sort of affectionate fondness for the very term that Jesus himself used” (Burton) in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:36). The rabbis preserve similar parallels. Most of the Jews knew both Greek and Aramaic. But there remains the question why Jesus used both in his prayer. Was it not natural for both words to come to him in his hour of agony as in his childhood? The same thing may be true here in Paul‘s case. [source]
Philippians 4:3 Help [συλλαμβάνου]
Lit., take hold with. Compare Luke 5:7. The verb is used of conception, Luke 1:24; arrest, Matthew 26:55; Acts 12:3; catching, as fish, Luke 5:9. Compare the compound συναντιλάμβανομαι help Luke 10:40(note); Romans 8:26. [source]
1 Thessalonians 4:1 How ye ought [το πως δει υμας]
Literally, explanatory articular indirect question (το πως — to pōs) after παρελαβητε — parelabēte according to common classic idiom in Luke (Luke 1:62; Luke 22:2, Luke 22:4, Luke 22:23, Luke 22:24) and Paul (Romans 8:26). [source]
1 Thessalonians 4:1 We beseech [ερωτωμεν]
Not “question” as in ancient Greek, but as often in N.T. (1 Thessalonians 5:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Philemon 4:3) and also in papyri to make urgent request of one. How ye ought (το πως δει υμας — to pōs dei humās). Literally, explanatory articular indirect question (το πως — to pōs) after παρελαβητε — parelabēte according to common classic idiom in Luke (Luke 1:62; Luke 22:2, Luke 22:4, Luke 22:23, Luke 22:24) and Paul (Romans 8:26). That ye abound Loose construction of the ινα — hina clause with present subjunctive after two subordinate clauses with κατως — kathōs (as, even as) to be connected with “beseech and exhort.” More and more (μαλλον — mallon). Simply more, but added to same idea in περισσευητε — perisseuēte See also 1 Thessalonians 4:11. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:3 Even as it is meet [κατως αχιον εστιν]
Οπειλομεν — Opheilomen points to the divine, αχιον — axion to the human side of the obligation (Lightfoot), perhaps to cheer the fainthearted in a possible letter to him in reply to Paul‘s First Thessalonian epistle (Milligan). This adjective αχιος — axios is from αγω — agō to drag down the scales, and so weighty, worthy, worthwhile, old word and appropriate here. For that your faith groweth exceedingly (οτι υπεραυχανει η πιστις υμων — hoti huperauxanei hē pistis humōn). Causal use of οτι — hoti referring to the obligation stated in οπειλομεν — opheilomen The verb υπεραυχανω — huperauxanō is one of Paul‘s frequent compounds in υπερ — huper (υπερβαινω — hupeṙbainō 1 Thessalonians 4:6; υπερεκτεινω — hupeṙek̇teinō 2 Corinthians 10:14; υπερεντυγχανω — hupeṙeṅtugchanō Romans 8:26; υπερνικαω — hupeṙnikaō Romans 8:37; υπερπλεοναζω — hupeṙpleonazō 1 Timothy 1:14) and occurs only here in N.T. and rare elsewhere (Galen, Dio Cass.). Figure of the tree of faith growing above (υπερ — huper) measure. Cf. parable of Jesus about faith-like a grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31.). Aboundeth Same verb in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, here a fulfilment of the prayer made there. Milligan finds diffusive growth of love in this word because of “each one” Frame finds in this fulfilment of the prayer of 1 Thessalonians 3:12 one proof that II Thessalonians is later than I Thessalonians. [source]
1 Timothy 5:23 Thine often infirmities [τὰς πυκνάς σου ἀσθενείας]
This use of often as an adjective appears in earlier English. So Chaucer: “Ofte sythes” or “tymes ofte,” many times. Shakespeare: “In which my often rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness” (As you like it, IV. i. 19). And Ben Jonson:“The jolly wassal walks the often round.”The Forest, iii.Even Tennyson:“Wrench'd or broken limb - an often chanceIn those brain-stunning shocks and tourney-falls.”Gareth and Lynette. Πυκνός oftenvery common in Class. Originally, close, compact, comp. Lat. frequens. In this sense Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+5:33&sr=1">Luke 5:33; Acts 24:26. Ἁσθένεια weaknessinfirmity, only here in Pastorals. In the physical sense, as here, Luke 5:15; Luke 8:2; John 5:5; Galatians 4:13. In the ethic sense, Romans 6:19; Romans 8:26. [source]
1 Timothy 3:8 In like manner [ὡσαύτως]
Rare in Paul (Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 11:25). Frequent in Pastorals. [source]
1 Timothy 2:1 Intercessions [ἐυντεύξεις]
Only here and 1 Timothy 4:5. lxx, Romans href="/desk/?q=ro+8:27&sr=1">Romans 8:27, Romans 8:34; Romans 11:2; and ὑπερεντυγχάνειν tointercede in behalf of, Romans 8:26. The verb signifies to fall in with a person; to draw near so as to converse familiarly. Hence, ἔντευξις is not properly intercession in the accepted sense of that term, but rather approach to God in free and familiar prayer. Ἑντυγχάνειν in the passages cited is not to make intercession, but to intervene, interfere. Thus in Romans 8:26, it is not that the Spirit pleads in our behalf, but that he throws himself into our case; takes part in it. So Hebrews 7:25: not that Jesus is ever interceding for us, but that he is eternally meeting us at every point, and intervening in al our affairs for our benefit. In ἐντεύξεις here the idea of interposition is prominent: making prayers a factor in relations with secular rulers. [source]
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner that women [οσαυτως γυναικας]
ουλομαι — Boulomai must be repeated from 1 Timothy 2:8, involved in οσαυτως — hosautōs (old adverb, as in Romans 8:26). Parry insists that προσευχομενας — proseuchomenas (when they pray) must be supplied also. Grammatically that is possible (Lock), but it is hardly consonant with 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (White). [source]
1 Timothy 5:23 But use a little wine [χραομαι]
Present middle imperative of ολιγωι — chraomai with instrumental case. The emphasis is on δια τον στομαχον — oligōi (a little). For thy stomach‘s sake (στομα — dia ton stomachon). Old word from τας πυκνας σου αστενειας — stoma (mouth). In Homer throat, opening of the stomach (Aristotle), stomach in Plutarch. Here only in N.T. Our word “stomach.” Thine often infirmities Αστενειας — Puknos is old word, dense, frequent. In N.T. only here, Luke 5:33; Acts 24:26. Astheneias = weaknesses, lack of strength (Romans 8:26). Timothy was clearly a semi-invalid. [source]
1 Timothy 5:23 Thine often infirmities [Πυκνος]
Αστενειας — Puknos is old word, dense, frequent. In N.T. only here, Luke 5:33; Acts 24:26. Astheneias = weaknesses, lack of strength (Romans 8:26). Timothy was clearly a semi-invalid. [source]
Hebrews 7:25 To make intercession for them [εἰς τὸ ἐντυγχάνειν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν]
The verb only here in Hebrews. Comp. ὑπερεντυγχάνειν , Romans 8:26, see note. See also on ἐντεύξεις supplications 1 Timothy 2:1. The idea is not intercession, but intervention. It includes every form of Christ's identifying himself with human interests. The attempt has been made to trace this idea to Philo, who alludes to the λόγος ἱκέτης thesupplicant Logos, and the λόγος παράκλητος theadvocate-Logos. But the Logos is not treated by Philo as a divine-human personality intervening for men, but as a poetical personification allegorically considered. In one instance the suppliant Logos is the cry of the oppressed Israelites; in another, Moses, as the allegorical representative of the universal reason of mankind. It represents certain functions of human reason and speech. Again, the suppliant is the visible Cosmos striving to realize its ideal. [source]
1 Peter 4:13 Inasmuch [κατο]
“In so far forth as” (“according to which thing”), old conjunction, in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 8:12; Romans 8:26. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 8:26 mean?

Likewise now also the Spirit joins to help the weakness of us the for things which we should pray for as it behooves not we know but Himself makes intercession with groanings inexpressible
Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ἡμῶν τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ἀλλὰ αὐτὸ ὑπερεντυγχάνει στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις

Ὡσαύτως  Likewise 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡσαύτως  
Sense: in like manner, likewise.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
Πνεῦμα  Spirit 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
συναντιλαμβάνεται  joins  to  help 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: συναντιλαμβάνομαι  
Sense: to lay hold along with, to strive to obtain with others, help in obtaining.
ἀσθενείᾳ  weakness 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀσθένεια  
Sense: want of strength, weakness, infirmity.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τί  things  which 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
προσευξώμεθα  we  should  pray  for 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 1st Person Plural
Root: προσεύχομαι  
Sense: to offer prayers, to pray.
δεῖ  it  behooves 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δεῖ  
Sense: it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper.
οἴδαμεν  we  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
αὐτὸ  Himself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὑπερεντυγχάνει  makes  intercession 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὑπερεντυγχάνω  
Sense: to intercede for one.
στεναγμοῖς  with  groanings 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: στεναγμός  
Sense: a groaning, a sigh.
ἀλαλήτοις  inexpressible 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀλάλητος  
Sense: not to be uttered, not expressed in words.