Romans 8:26

KJV1611 – Modern English

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.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα συναντιλαμβάνεται ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν: τὸ γὰρ τί προσευξώμεθα καθὸ δεῖ: οὐκ οἴδαμεν ἀλλʼ αὐτὸ τὸ Πνεῦμα ὑπερεντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις.

Transliteration

Hōsautōs de kai to Pneuma synantilambanetai tais astheneiais of us: the for what proseuxōmetha katho dei: ouk oidamen all' auto to Pneuma hyperentygchanei hyper us stenagmois alalētois.

Grammar Details

• *Hōsautōs*: adverb - likewise/in the same way
• *de*: postpositive conjunction - but/and
• *kai*: conjunction - also/even
• *to Pneuma*: nominative neuter singular - the Spirit
• *synantilambanetai*: present middle indicative 3rd person singular - helps/assists with
• *tais astheneiais*: dative feminine plural - the weaknesses
• *hēmōn*: genitive 1st person plural - us
• *to gar ti*: accusative neuter singular - the what
• *proseuxōmetha*: aorist middle subjunctive 1st person plural - we should pray
• *katho*: conjunction - as/just as
• *dei*: present active indicative 3rd person singular impersonal - it is necessary
• *ouk*: negative particle - not
• *oidamen*: perfect active indicative 1st person plural - we know
• *all'*: adversative conjunction - but
• *auto*: intensive pronoun nominative neuter singular - itself
• *hyperentygchanei*: present active indicative 3rd person singular - intercedes
• *hyper*: preposition with genitive - for/on behalf of
• *stenagmois*: dative masculine plural - with groanings
• *alalētois*: dative masculine plural - unutterable/inexpressible

Word Meanings

• *Hōsautōs*: likewise/in the same way/similarly
• *synantilambanetai*: helps/assists with/joins in helping
• *astheneiais*: weaknesses/infirmities/frailties
• *proseuxōmetha*: we should pray/we ought to pray
• *katho dei*: as it is necessary/as we ought
• *oidamen*: we know/understand [perfect - completed action with continuing results]
• *hyperentygchanei*: intercedes exceedingly/intercedes strongly/pleads
• *stenagmois*: with groanings/sighs
• *alalētois*: unutterable/inexpressible/wordless

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspeakable groanings.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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 ganings which cannot be uttered.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And in like{G5615} manner the Spirit{G4151} also{G2532} helpeth{G4878} our{G2257} infirmity:{G769} for{G1063} we know{G1492} not{G3756} how{G5101} to pray{G4336} as{G2526} we ought;{G1163} but{G235} the Spirit{G4151} himself{G846} maketh intercession{G5241} for{G5228} [us]{G2257} with groanings{G4726} which cannot be uttered;{G215}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  {G1161} Likewise{G5615} the Spirit{G4151} also{G2532} helpeth{G4878}{(G5736)} our{G2257} infirmities{G769}: for{G1063} we know{G1492}{(G5758)} not{G3756} what{G5101} we should pray for{G4336}{(G5667)} as{G2526} we ought{G1163}{(G5748)}: but{G235} the Spirit{G4151} itself{G846} maketh intercession{G5241}{(G5719)} for{G5228} us{G2257} with groanings{G4726} which cannot be uttered{G215}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Lyke wyse ye sprite also helpeth oure infirmities. For we knowe not what to desyre as we ought: but the sprete maketh intercession mightely for vs with gronynges which canot be expressid with tonge.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Likewyse the sprete also helpeth oure weaknesse: for we knowe not what we shulde desyre as we oughte: neuertheles ye sprete it selfe maketh intercession mightely for vs with vnoutspeakable gronynges.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we knowe not what to pray as wee ought: but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighs, which cannot be expressed.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Lykewyse, the spirite also helpeth our infirmities. For we knowe not what to desire as we ought: but ye spirite maketh great intercession for vs, with gronynges, which can not be expressed.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ 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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  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,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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;

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say;

• World English Bible (2000)

  In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Referenced Verses

• Eph 6:18 : 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;
• Matt 10:20 : 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
• Gal 4:6 : 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father.'
• Eph 2:18 : 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
• Jude 1:20-21 : 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
• Zech 12:10 : 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
• Rom 8:15 : 15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.
• Heb 4:15 : 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
• Jas 4:3 : 3 You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, that you may spend it on your desires.
• 2 Cor 5:4 : 4 For we who are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that mortality might be swallowed up by life.
• Rom 15:1 : 1 We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
• Luke 22:44 : 44 And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
• John 14:16 : 16 And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever;
• Ps 143:4-7 : 4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I contemplate the work of Your hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a thirsty land. Selah. 7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails: do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
• Ps 6:9 : 9 The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
• Ps 10:17 : 17 LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,
• Ps 42:1-5 : 1 As the deer pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, Where is your God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a feast. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
• Ps 55:1-2 : 1 Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and hear me; I mourn in my complaint and make a noise,
• Ps 77:1-3 : 1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He listened to me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night and did not rest; my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
• Matt 20:22 : 22 But Jesus answered and said, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to him, We are able.
• 2 Cor 12:5-9 : 5 Of such a one will I boast, yet of myself I will not boast, but in my weaknesses. 6 For though I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But now I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Luke 11:1-9 : 1 And it happened that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said to them, When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. 5 And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine on his journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Do not trouble me: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you. 8 I say to you, Though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9 And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 11 If a son asks bread from any of you who is a father, will you give him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will you give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will you offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?
• Rom 7:24 : 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
• Ps 102:20 : 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death,
• Ps 119:81-82 : 81 CAPH. My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. 82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word, saying, 'When will You comfort me?'
• Ps 88:1-3 : 1 O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you; 2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry; 3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave.
• Ps 102:5 : 5 Because of the voice of my groaning, my bones cling to my skin.
• Ps 69:3 : 3 I am weary of my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
• 2 Cor 5:2 : 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling which is from heaven:
• Heb 5:2 : 2 He can have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are straying, since he himself is also surrounded with weakness.