Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on Romans
less difficulty. 262
Romans 8:26-27
Romans 8:26-27
26. Likewise 263 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.
26. Similiter vero Spiritus etiam coopitulatur infirmitatibus nostris; non enim quid oraturi sumus quemadmodum oportet, novimus; verum Spiritus ipse intercedit pro nobis gemitibus innarrabilibus.
27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
27. Qui vero scrutatur corda, novit cogitationem Spiritus, quod secundum Deum intercedit pro sanctis.
26. And likewise the Spirit, etc. That the faithful may not make this objection — that they are so weak as not to be able to bear so many and so heavy burdens, he brings before them the aid of the Spirit, which is abundantly sufficient to overcome all difficulties. There is then no reason for any one to complain, that the bearing of the cross is beyond their own strength, since we are sustained by a celestial power. And there is great force in the Greek word {συναντιλαμβάνεται}, which means that the Spirit takes on himself a part of the burden, by which our weakness is oppressed; so that he not only helps and succours us, but lifts us up; as though he went under the burden with us. 264
The word infirmities, being in the plural number, is expressive of extremity. For as experience shows, that except we are supported by God's hands, we are soon overwhelmed by innumerable evils, Paul reminds us, that though we are in every respect weak, and various infirmities threaten our fall, there is yet sufficient protection in God's Spirit to preserve us from falling, and to keep us from being overwhelmed by any mass of evils. At the same time these supplies of the Spirt more clearly prove to us, that it is by God's appointment that we strive, by groanings and sighings, for our redemption.
For what we should pray for, etc. He had before spoken of the testimony of the Spirit, by which we know that God is our Father, and on which relying,
262"Patience," says Pareus, "is needful for three reasons, — the good expected is absent, — there is delay, — and many difficulties intervene." — Ed.
263The connection here is not very evident {Ωσαύτως} — "similiter — in like manner," by Calvin; "itidem — likewise," by Pareus and Beza; "præterea — besides," by Grotius; "moreover," by Doddridge The word usually means, in the same, or, the like manner: but the two last seem to render it suitably to this place; for what follows is mentioned in addition to what had been stated respecting hope and patience. — Ed.
264Pareus says, that this verb is taken metaphorically from assistance afforded to infants not able to support themselves, or to the sick, tottering and hardly able to walk. "Coopitulatur" is Calvin's Latin — co-assist," Beza's "una sublevat — lifts up together," that is, together with those who labor under infirmities. The Vulgate has "adjuvat — helps," like our version. Schleusner says, that it means to succor those whose strength is unequal to carry their burden alone. It is found in one other place, Luke 10:40. It is given by the Septuagint in Psalm 89:21, for {{" — אמףto strengthen, to invigorate," and in Exodus ,18:22 for {" — }אתך{ }נשאto bear with," that is, "a burden with thee," — the very idea that it seems to have here — Ed.