Romans 8:22-26

8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. 8:23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, ¹  groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, ²  the redemption of our bodies. ³  8:24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance. ⁴ 

8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, ⁵  but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

[8:23]  ¹ tn Or “who have the Spirit as firstfruits.” The genitive πνεύματος (pneumatos) can be understood here as possessive (“the firstfruits belonging to the Spirit”) although it is much more likely that this is a genitive of apposition (“the firstfruits, namely, the Spirit”); cf. TEV, NLT.

[8:23]  ² tn See the note on “adoption” in v. 15.

[8:23]  ³ tn Grk “body.”

[8:25]  ¹ tn Or “perseverance.”

[8:26]  ¹ tn Or “for we do not know what we ought to pray for.”