Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 8:26

"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;" — Romans 8:26 (ASV)

Likewise the Spirit. This introduces a new source of consolation and support, that which is derived from the Spirit. It is a continuation of the apostle's argument to show the sustaining power of the Christian religion. The "Spirit" here undoubtedly refers to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and strengthens us.

Helps. This word properly means to sustain with us; to aid us in supporting. It is usually applied to those who unite in supporting or carrying a burden. The meaning may be expressed this way: "He greatly assists or aids us."

Our infirmities. He assists us in our infirmities, or aids us to bear them. The word infirmities refers to the weaknesses to which we are subject and to our various trials in this life. The Spirit helps us in this:

1. by giving us strength to bear them;
2. by prompting us to make efforts to sustain them;
3. by ministering to us consolations, truths, and views of our Christian privileges that enable us to endure our trials.

For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, etc. This is a specification of the aid which the Holy Spirit provides us. The reasons why Christians do not know what to pray for may be:

1. that they do not know what would be really best for them;
2. that they do not know what God might be willing to grant them;
3. that they are to a great extent ignorant of the character of God, the reason of his dealings, the principles of his government, and their own real wants;
4. that they are often in real, deep perplexity. They are encompassed with trials, exposed to temptations, feeble by disease, and subject to calamities. In these circumstances, if left alone, they would neither be able to bear their trials nor know what to ask at the hand of God.

But the Spirit itself. The Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9–11.

Makes intercession. The word used here—(uperentugcanei)—occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The word—(entugcanw)—however, is used several times. It properly means to be present with anyone for the purpose of aiding, as an advocate does in a court of justice; hence, to intercede for anyone, or to aid or assist in any manner. In this place, it simply means that the Holy Spirit greatly assists or aids us, not by praying for us, but in our prayers and infirmities.

With groanings. With sighs, or that deep feeling and intense anxiety which exists in the oppressed and burdened heart of the Christian.

Which cannot be uttered. Or rather, perhaps, which is not uttered; those emotions which are too deep for utterance, or for expression in articulate language.

This does not mean that the Spirit produces these groanings, but that in these deep-felt emotions, when the soul is oppressed and overwhelmed, he lends us his assistance and sustains us. The phrase may be thus translated: "The Spirit greatly aids or supports us in those deep emotions, those intense feelings, those inward sighs, which cannot be expressed in language, but which he enables us to bear, and which are understood by Him that searcheth the hearts."