A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 8:16

"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:" — Romans 8:16 (ASV)

The Spirit himself (αυτο το πνευμα). The grammatical gender of πνευμα is neuter as here, but the Greek used also the natural gender as we do exclusively as in Joh 16:13 εκεινος (masculine

he ), το πνευμα (neuter). See also Joh 16:26 (ο--εκεινος). It is a grave mistake to use the neuter "it" or "itself" when referring to the Holy Spirit.

Beareth witness with our spirit (συμμαρτυρε τω πνευματ ημων). See on Ro 2:15 for this verb with associative instrumental case. See 1 John 5:10f. for this double witness.