In Romans 8.26–39 (the reading for Trinity 8 in Year A), Paul offers us a remarkable exposition of life in the Spirit.
There is a dense cluster of Trinitarian language in the first half, and significant theological and pastoral issues: do all things really work for our good? What does God’s foreknowledge mean? Have we been glorified?
Yet out of this comes a remarkable flourish of rhetoric, assuring us of God’s loving presence despite our experiences of hardship. It is a wonderful climax to the first half of Paul’s letter.
The gospel reading for this week hoovers up the remaining kingdom parables in Matt 13, and commentary on this passage can be found here.
The Grove booklet mentioned is Grief Technology and can be found here.
Buy me a Coffee
It is rather a pity that this study did not come before the two previous
“Anglican Issues” posts, there would have been more light
than febrile fretting heat I think.
8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
What is God’s Purpose or are God’s purposes?
Predestined to what?
“did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, {that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.}
Predestination is not about getting your ticket for heaven it’s for Conformation;
[ Conformation (noun) generally refers to the shape, structure, or physical arrangement of parts within a whole. While easily confused with confirmation (the act of proving or verifying something), it has specific meanings across different fields:
General Use: The way a physical entity or object is formed, designed, or adapted to a specific shape aka Christ.
Would that we did not just believe but cooperatively trust in the Sovereign power of God’s Love and purposes for his Church regardless of the assaults upon and within it, to be in fact more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. Shalom
PS There is an excellent inspirational 10 minute exposition of this passage
@ The Center for Excellence in Preaching
https://cepreaching.org/commentary/2023-07-24/romans-826-39-3/
Though presumably to be predestined to conformity requires being predestined for salvation.
My question re v.26. The natural way to understand the words ‘The Spirit intercedes for us with groans’ is, they are the Spirit’s groans. Yes? I’d value comment on that.
Peter, The introduction to verse 26, clearly indicates that the concept of ‘groaning’ is first of all related to the whole of creation (vv21 -22). Paul uses the metaphor of childbirth: the agony of the mother gives way to the glorious creation of new life. So it is with his covenant people; having been adopted as the Father’s sons (generically) and thereby having received the gift of the Holy Spirit ,yearn for,even agonise for (groan! v23) the consummation of our redemption (and resurrection!) through Jesus Christ . [ c.f. Ephesians 1: 13-14].
perhaps it’s similar to speaking in tongues. You dont know what your praying but the Spirit does as the words and language is inspired by the Spirit. But the words are only realised when the human speaks. So the groans are inspired by the Spirit but are only realised when the human groans.
There are some useful insights concerning the groaning s of the Holy Spirit @
https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/spirits-groan
AI has this :-
AI Overview When the Bible says Jesus “groaned within himself” (most famously in John 11:33), it describes a deep, visceral, and complex emotional response. Rather than just a sigh of sadness, Greek scholars often translate this term (embrimaomai) as an intense agitation or a “snort of anger”. It captures the heavy emotional turmoil of God fully entering human suffering.
This powerful emotional expression carries a few specific theological layers:
Holy Anger at Death: Jesus was likely deeply angry at the presence and destruction of death. He created the world with the intention of life, and death is the ultimate enemy brought on by sin. This groan was a display of righteous indignation against the devastating effects of the Fall
Sympathy and Agitation: While some commentators interpret this as anger, it is also a powerful expression of His profound empathy. Seeing His friends (Mary, Martha, and the others) weeping forcefully stirred his own spirit, causing an intense emotional struggle to restrain His grief
Frustration with Unbelief: Jesus was also troubled by the lack of faith around Him. Despite His teachings and miracles, the mourners were consumed by hopelessness, grieving like those who had no knowledge of His power to conquer the grave.
Ultimately, this phrase illustrates that Jesus is not detached from our pain. He intimately shares in our sorrow while simultaneously preparing to defeat the very things that cause us to hurt.
Hope that helps you Peter.