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Our focus text reads: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8.26-27).

With fear and trembling we enter this brief study! We enter it this way for a number of reasons. First, we enter it with such awe because of the specific subject matter (i.e. God, the Spirit, the work of the Spirit, the mind of the Spirit, the mind of God, the will of God, intercession for the saints, etc., etc.). Secondly, we enter it with such awe because it is so relevant to every accountable person; there is no person living who does not need to know what this text holds in store for him/her. Thirdly, we look so humbly at this text because of its place in the book of Romans. This, our first look at the text, will highlight this aspect, namely, the place it occupies (structural context if you will) within the book of Romans.

Like the most skilled musical composer imaginable, the Holy Spirit has composed a symphony of words. From the downbeat in Romans 1, there has been no doubt as to the intent of the score; He intended to set forth the fact that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only means by which man can be saved and that the offer of that salvation is extended equally to all of humanity whether it be Jew or Gentile (Romans 1.16-17).

Continuing to the supporting scores, He demonstrated how the Jews were, when it came to forgiveness and redemption, on an equal footing with the Gentile. Though the law had been given through the Jews, it was not the means of their salvation, only a means to an end (Romans 2-3). With harmony of purpose the Spirit further asserted that the only means by which salvation could come was through faith. Abraham was the Father of the faithful and he functioned entirely apart from the law. This score hits a sour note with those who are wont to see the law of Moses as the means by which salvation comes, but this disharmony is only in the ear of the one who fails to listen to all of God’s symphony (Romans 4-5).

The tempo quickens and the mood shifts as redemption, forgiveness, a new life, resurrection promises, a new relationship with God achieved through submission to the gospel are heralded; this chorus is the sweetest of melodies and cannot but move the hardest of hearts to tears (Romans 6). But to totally remove all doubt as to the relationship of the law and the Gospel, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write the sobering lines of Romans 7. Between these two chapters there is a contrast of mood and melody. Romans 6 brings life and hope; Romans 7 is saturated with sadness and despair! As one who listens to these sobering lines, I come away shaking my head and saying, “If a man like Paul could not find justification through the Law, there certainly is no hope there for me! My hope for deliverance is exactly where his was and I too, “Thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7, especially v25).

The crescendo of the book is Romans 8.1-4! “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” Clash cymbals!! Fact established! Point proven! Thesis unalterably and eternally supported. Silence…. Pause…. I have an intercessor! The Spirit speaks on my behalf!! (Continued tomorrow!)

Questions:

1. What is the structural context of a passage? What is meant by the phrase?

2. Why is it important to see the structural context of a passage? (Illustration: All notes of a symphony are important, but they are not of equal significance; so it is with words.)

3. What is the structural significance of Romans 8.26-27?

"Point of Reference" from Fred Price

Counting the Cost and Bearing the Cross