Romans 8:27
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρευνῶν
he that searcheth
G2045
ἐρευνῶν
he that searcheth
Strong's:
G2045
Word #:
3 of 17
to seek, i.e., (figuratively) to investigate
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίας
the hearts
G2588
καρδίας
the hearts
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
5 of 17
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
οἶδεν
knoweth
G1492
οἶδεν
knoweth
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
6 of 17
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 of 17
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος
of the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματος
of the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
11 of 17
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 17
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
θεὸν
to the will of God
G2316
θεὸν
to the will of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐντυγχάνει
he maketh intercession
G1793
ἐντυγχάνει
he maketh intercession
Strong's:
G1793
Word #:
15 of 17
to chance upon, i.e., (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against)
Cross References
Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.Acts 1:24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.Romans 8:34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.Proverbs 17:3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.Acts 15:8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;Psalms 44:21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.Jeremiah 11:20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.Matthew 6:8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Historical Context
This verse provides foundation for confidence in prayer (1 John 5:14-15: "if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us"). The Reformers emphasized that true prayer requires the Spirit's enablement—we cannot pray rightly in our natural state. Prayer is Trinitarian: we pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Spirit's intercession "according to God's will" provide assurance even when answers differ from our requests?
- What does this verse teach about the Trinity's cooperative work in salvation—Father, Son, and Spirit?
- How does knowing God searches your heart and the Spirit intercedes for you affect your prayer life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit (ho dè ereunōn tàs kardías oîden tí tò phrónēma toû pneúmatos)—Ho ereunōn tàs kardías ("he who searches hearts") is God the Father (1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 2:23). God knows tò phrónēma toû pneúmatos ("the mind of the Spirit")—the Spirit's intention in His intercession. This demonstrates Trinitarian unity: the Father understands the Spirit's unspoken advocacy perfectly.
Because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (hóti katà theòn entugchánei hypèr hagíōn)—Katà theón means "according to God" or "in line with God's will." The Spirit's intercession always aligns with the Father's purposes—He never prays contrary to divine will. This ensures our prayers, supplemented by the Spirit, are effective. The Spirit knows God's will exhaustively (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) and intercedes accordingly, guaranteeing prayers offered in the Spirit succeed.