We started with an exposition some days ago on tongues speaking and today is supposed to be part 3 but I think something must be clarified for a proper understanding of the subject we are considering. Before we continue with the exposition concerning tongues speaking, let us take a look at Romans 8:26. Here I would like to give a short overview of the whole of chapter 8 to enhance our comprehension
I would equally entitle this chapter as the chapter of solace. The words in this chapter have being the breasts from which most Christians had sucked and continue to suck consolation from. This chapter says "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.... (Isaiah 40:1, KJV)". Romans 8, I think is the Isaiah 40 of the New Testament. It is the fountain of comfort to the Christian. In this chapter we see the work of the Trinity concerning salvation and sanctification. With that said, let us go straight to the reason for this exposition. The text before us is
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; (Romans 8:26, NASB)"
We all know that we Christians are pilgrims and on a journey to our home, where our Father, Savior ,Helper and brothers and sisters are. This journey has become difficult for us because of this earthly body we dwell in. And as long as we are in this earthly tent, we groan for the incorruptible. This earthly tent has marred our ability to even know our needs. We sometimes do not have the heart to pray. But we see the Spirit of God performing His duty of intercession. He pleads on our behalf.
Sadly, there are a lot of wrong hermeneutics concerning this verse that rob God of His glory. There is nothing about this verse that says that the Christian does pray or groan. The Holy Ghost is the subject of all the actions taken. To try to connect this text to speaking in tongues is a great misinterpretation. As I sometimes say, presuppositions are one of the arch enemies of good hermeneutics. There are some salient points I will draw from this text which will help increase our understanding.
It is the Spirit of God Who makes the intercession. Notice the word weakness. Some other translations use "infirmities". Infirmities are literally seen to be sickness or any disorder in the proper functioning of part or the whole body. In this context, infirmities or weaknesses mean our praying disorders. Our inability to pray according to the will of God. And the Spirit helps us by making utterances that we can not make in our infirmities. I think Ephesians 2:1 will help us understand this passage clearly. "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1, NASB)". Paul was referring to the former state of the Ephesians. Their state of sin before salvation. And he referred to them as dead people. Yes, they were dead just as we were prior to salvation . And I do not expect a dead man to respond to the preaching of the Gospel by its own power. Unless the Spirit of God revives them, they can not hear or understand what Christ has done for them. Likewise, weak people are deficient in strength. We are deficient in the ability to pray. And the Spirit of God comes in, expresses our petitions before the throne of grace in groans that the weak man can not utter.
The text does not say that the Spirit speaks through weak people. It rather says "He Himself" makes intercession for us. The weak man can not take credit here. It will be inconsistent in the context of the whole chapter to say that the writer meant the Spirit spoke through men with groans too deep for words. The chapter talks about what God has done for us (weak people) without our help. The latter words of this verse can not be overlooked. He said "with groanings too deep for words". I do not think there is any better translation than what the NASB gave here. The groanings are too deep that words can not be formed from them. That is not what tongues are. They are languages that are spoken by the enabling of the Spirit, understood by its hearers in their dialects, and good for edification.
Thank you for following today's exposition. Hoping to see your comments below.
Follow me God willing tommorow for part 3 of the tongues speaking.
Below are the links to previous parts of this series. 馃憞
https://steemit.com/christianity/@gadol/understanding-tongues-speaking-part-1
https://steemit.com/christianity/@gadol/understanding-tongues-speaking-part-2
