Greek help with Romans 8:27 ?

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Dec 21, 2012
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#41

tangential verse --
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(1 Timothy 4:1)​

whether this should be understood as audible speech ((i don't see that it should be necessarily so, either here or in Romans 8:26 ?)) it's certain from this i think, that it isn't heresy to refer to what the Spirit expresses as "
speech" and that the Spirit certainly is able to "speak" to us in such a way that mortal man can comprehend clearly what He "saith"

i point this out to bring up

(5) that if Romans 8:26 being translated for example "
with wordless groans" ((NIV)) constitutes heretical contradiction to John 16:13, shouldn't 1 Timothy 4:1 even moreso be damnable since it reads -- in KJV no less -- that the Spirit expressly saith ??

why or why not?
The Holy Spirit speaks what He hears. That is how He speaks in according to John 16:13

Therefore, how can He utter or express His intercessions that are unspeakable or unutterable? He cannot, because His speaking is limited to what He hears. Therefore He cannot speak or utter or express His intercessions at all. Indeed, it was testified that His groaning cannot be uttered.

So "with wordless groans" signify that sounds are being expressed and heard which is not the truth.


 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
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#42
It follows the English Grammar rule as far as I can see.

I do not believe the Greek Grammar is one where you speak of one person doing something to another person and then end with as if the other person was the one that was doing it.
German has the same relationship to Greek that Spanish and Italian have to Latin. Since English is a Germanic language it does tend to follow the same rules. The problem is that many Latin words came into English (sometimes somewhat modified) during the Roman occupation of England; and many French words came into the English Language during the Norman Conquest.
For some strange reason the words that came into English from Latin and French follow the grammar and spelling rules of their parent language. That is why English Grammar and spelling rules are so inconsistent.
 
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
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#43
German has the same relationship to Greek that Spanish and Italian have to Latin. Since English is a Germanic language it does tend to follow the same rules. The problem is that many Latin words came into English (sometimes somewhat modified) during the Roman occupation of England; and many French words came into the English Language during the Norman Conquest.
For some strange reason the words that came into English from Latin and French follow the grammar and spelling rules of their parent language. That is why English Grammar and spelling rules are so inconsistent.
I believe if one delve too deeply behind the scenes, they can stop reading plainly what is written in the KJV, but as it is, with too many errant modern Bible versions out there, how can anyone not be influenced to read the errant version into the KJV as the scholars do?

Doesn't wisdom comes from the Lord? Does not scripture say to ask the Lord for wisdom rather than asking man to create an easier to read Bible version than the KJV? ( which is all hype BTW ) Or for that matter, what is really written?

1 John 2:[SUP]20 [/SUP]But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. [SUP]21 [/SUP]I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth......[SUP]26 [/SUP]These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. [SUP]27 [/SUP]But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. [SUP]28 [/SUP]And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
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#44
I believe if one delve too deeply behind the scenes, they can stop reading plainly what is written in the KJV, but as it is, with too many errant modern Bible versions out there, how can anyone not be influenced to read the errant version into the KJV as the scholars do?

Doesn't wisdom comes from the Lord? Does not scripture say to ask the Lord for wisdom rather than asking man to create an easier to read Bible version than the KJV? ( which is all hype BTW ) Or for that matter, what is really written?

1 John 2:[SUP]20 [/SUP]But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. [SUP]21 [/SUP]I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth......[SUP]26 [/SUP]These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. [SUP]27 [/SUP]But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. [SUP]28 [/SUP]And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Grammar rules are not translation dependent. The rules are the same whether you are translating the NT, translating a classic play, having a casual conversation, or writing a letter to grandma.
 
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
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#45
Grammar rules are not translation dependent. The rules are the same whether you are translating the NT, translating a classic play, having a casual conversation, or writing a letter to grandma.
Then they applied the rules wrong when thinking verse 27 was not deviating from the testimony about the Holy Spirit in verse 26. Verse 27 cannot be about the Holy Spirit when this testimony of the Other is knowing the mind of the Spirit to explain how the unspeakable intercessions of the Holy Spirit's are given to God the Father by.

Explaining that by deferring from the testimony of the Holy Spirit in verse 26 would explain the use of "because" in verse 27 for why this Other Person has to do it, since obviously the Holy Spirit cannot give His own intercessions to the Father as per John 16:13 even though He has them.
 
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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#46
All I can say is that the grammar and syntax rule of the English has been found throughout all of scripture but suddenly the Greek as one entirely different for one verse? I have to say they used the errant translation of most modern Bible to come up with that grammar & syntax rule which hardly follows the pattern for the whole Bible.
I understand that you are trying to be faithful to the Lord and His truth, and I respect you for that. I do believe, however, based on many of your posts, that you are "stuck" with some incorrect or inadequate ideas, and so you have fighting an unnecessary battle.

With regard to your comments above, rules of grammar and syntax are not primarily formed by using Scripture. Linguists would reference a wide range of literature, and would have no particular focus on the Bible... in any translation.

With regard to your claim that "groanings which are unutterable" means "no sound", I honestly think you are incorrect. That is certainly not the only thing this phrase can mean. It could also mean:

- words that should not be spoken due to a moral or legal restriction;
- sensations for which words don't exist;
- sensations or thoughts for which the sender doesn't have words;
- messages for which the sender doesn't know the right or best words;
- cases where verbal expression is simply not possible (as for a mute person or non-person);
- concepts or sensations that cannot be reduced or translated into words (like pain or love);
- workings of the inner person (physical, mental, or spiritual) that happen below the level of conscious perception;
- ... and probably a few more.

The context of the passage would suggest one of the last two options above, and the "no sound" option is not suggested at all. Your interpretation seems fundamental for how you interpret the other passages, so an error here will lead to other errors.

Regarding your position on John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come," you have another particular interpretation of "shall not speak of himself." Again, I suggest that there is certainly more than one way to interpret this passage:

- shall not speak at all (as in, no production of words by any means);
- shall not speak with sound, but may communicate with words by other means;

- shall not speak his own words, only those of another (as a diplomat would);

- shall not speak by his own power (like Stephen Hawking does now);

- shall not speak about himself (where the Spirit is the subject of the words).



The second part of that verse suggests the third interpretation, and the context is important. In this case, Jesus is introducing the Holy Spirit to the disciples, giving a general overview of the ministry and role of the Holy Spirit as the faithful and reliable “intermediary” (bridge or link) between the risen Jesus and the believer(s). This passage is not addressing the gifts at all. Given the specific context in which Jesus spoke those words, it makes more sense that He was not declaring that the abilities of the Holy Spirit were so restricted, but rather declaring the manner in which the Spirit would speak to the disciples later on, even as Jesus did then: as the bearer of God's truthful message. The Spirit is not some independent entity, but is completely faithful to Jesus and to the Father and can be trusted as the disciples trusted Jesus.

Further, and this has already been touched on in another post, the KJV of 1 Corinthians 14 gives plenty of room for the gift of tongues to occur without interpretation. Verses 2, 5 and 13 all mention it in this way:


2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Additionally, your statement that another person must have the interpretation is invalidated by both verses 5 and 13.

In summary, I think your interpretations of both John 16:13 and Romans 8:26 are flawed, and therefore your conclusion about Who is interceding in Romans 8:27 is faulty, that 'tongues without interpretation are not of the Holy Spirit' is not supported, and that 'the modern Bibles are corrupt' is groundless on this point.
 
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
39
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#47
I understand that you are trying to be faithful to the Lord and His truth, and I respect you for that. I do believe, however, based on many of your posts, that you are "stuck" with some incorrect or inadequate ideas, and so you have fighting an unnecessary battle.

With regard to your comments above, rules of grammar and syntax are not primarily formed by using Scripture. Linguists would reference a wide range of literature, and would have no particular focus on the Bible... in any translation.

With regard to your claim that "groanings which are unutterable" means "no sound", I honestly think you are incorrect. That is certainly not the only thing this phrase can mean. It could also mean:

- words that should not be spoken due to a moral or legal restriction;
- sensations for which words don't exist;
- sensations or thoughts for which the sender doesn't have words;
- messages for which the sender doesn't know the right or best words;
- cases where verbal expression is simply not possible (as for a mute person or non-person);
- concepts or sensations that cannot be reduced or translated into words (like pain or love);
- workings of the inner person (physical, mental, or spiritual) that happen below the level of conscious perception;
- ... and probably a few more.

The context of the passage would suggest one of the last two options above, and the "no sound" option is not suggested at all. Your interpretation seems fundamental for how you interpret the other passages, so an error here will lead to other errors.

Regarding your position on John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come," you have another particular interpretation of "shall not speak of himself." Again, I suggest that there is certainly more than one way to interpret this passage:

- shall not speak at all (as in, no production of words by any means);
- shall not speak with sound, but may communicate with words by other means;

- shall not speak his own words, only those of another (as a diplomat would);

- shall not speak by his own power (like Stephen Hawking does now);

- shall not speak about himself (where the Spirit is the subject of the words).



The second part of that verse suggests the third interpretation, and the context is important. In this case, Jesus is introducing the Holy Spirit to the disciples, giving a general overview of the ministry and role of the Holy Spirit as the faithful and reliable “intermediary” (bridge or link) between the risen Jesus and the believer(s). This passage is not addressing the gifts at all. Given the specific context in which Jesus spoke those words, it makes more sense that He was not declaring that the abilities of the Holy Spirit were so restricted, but rather declaring the manner in which the Spirit would speak to the disciples later on, even as Jesus did then: as the bearer of God's truthful message. The Spirit is not some independent entity, but is completely faithful to Jesus and to the Father and can be trusted as the disciples trusted Jesus.

Further, and this has already been touched on in another post, the KJV of 1 Corinthians 14 gives plenty of room for the gift of tongues to occur without interpretation. Verses 2, 5 and 13 all mention it in this way:


2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Additionally, your statement that another person must have the interpretation is invalidated by both verses 5 and 13.

In summary, I think your interpretations of both John 16:13 and Romans 8:26 are flawed, and therefore your conclusion about Who is interceding in Romans 8:27 is faulty, that 'tongues without interpretation are not of the Holy Spirit' is not supported, and that 'the modern Bibles are corrupt' is groundless on this point.
Thank you for sharing but there is one contention that unravels your train of thought here in your quoted post;

You are assuming that there is a Greek word for "words" from which cannot be uttered, thus alluding to sounds of groaning or sighing being uttered.

It is His groaning which cannot be uttered. Not His words. Hence no sound at all. That is the only way I can read that whereas every one that opposes keeps trying to say it is words not being uttered or expressed or displayed but something is through groans. There is nothing being uttered at all if His groanings cannot be uttered.

There is a Greek word for groanings and there is a Greek word for unspeakable or unutterable.

So when I read His groanings that cannot be uttered, that means to me no sound at all.
 
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trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
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#48
Thank you for sharing but there is one contention that unravels your train of thought here in your quoted post;

You are assuming that there is a Greek word for "words" from which cannot be uttered, thus alluding to sounds of groaning or sighing being uttered.

It is His groaning which cannot be uttered. Not His words. Hence no sound at all. That is the only way I can read that whereas every one that opposes keeps trying to say it is words not being uttered or expressed or displayed but something is through groans. There is nothing being uttered at all if His groanings cannot be uttered.

There is a Greek word for groanings and there is a Greek word for unspeakable or unutterable.

So when I read His groanings that cannot be uttered, that means to me no sound at all.
The simple fact that something is unspeakable does not mean it has no sound. The shout of joy, of pain, sounds of songs, whales´s songs etc are sounds that cannot be put into words.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
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#49
Then they applied the rules wrong when thinking verse 27 was not deviating from the testimony about the Holy Spirit in verse 26. Verse 27 cannot be about the Holy Spirit when this testimony of the Other is knowing the mind of the Spirit to explain how the unspeakable intercessions of the Holy Spirit's are given to God the Father by.

Explaining that by deferring from the testimony of the Holy Spirit in verse 26 would explain the use of "because" in verse 27 for why this Other Person has to do it, since obviously the Holy Spirit cannot give His own intercessions to the Father as per John 16:13 even though He has them.
Grammar rules do not apply to any text or speech differently than all other text and speech. The way pronouns work in Greek is the way they work in every sentence spoken or written.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
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#50
Then they applied the rules wrong when thinking verse 27 was not deviating from the testimony about the Holy Spirit in verse 26. Verse 27 cannot be about the Holy Spirit when this testimony of the Other is knowing the mind of the Spirit to explain how the unspeakable intercessions of the Holy Spirit's are given to God the Father by.

Explaining that by deferring from the testimony of the Holy Spirit in verse 26 would explain the use of "because" in verse 27 for why this Other Person has to do it, since obviously the Holy Spirit cannot give His own intercessions to the Father as per John 16:13 even though He has them.
Let me give you an example that has nothing to do with language.

Because of the Law of gravity, if you drop a stone it will fall down until it hits something. The stone will not fall up and lodge on the ceiling no matter how much you want it to do so.
 
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Depleted

Guest
#51
A question asked out of utter ignorance. I know Greek about as well as I know what's on the planet exactly opposite of Earth in the universe, but since I'd like to know too, but don't know who to trust out of all these answers, gonna ask --

How many of you answerers truly know Greek? And I mean know it, because I can look up words in concordances too, but that doesn't mean I can understand the grammar, tense, context, and cadence of the word when it's in a verse. So how many understand Greek enough to do all that linguistic/language nerdy stuff I don't get in foreign languages? (And it's a good nerdy. I wish I was that kind of person. lol)
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
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#52
A question asked out of utter ignorance. I know Greek about as well as I know what's on the planet exactly opposite of Earth in the universe, but since I'd like to know too, but don't know who to trust out of all these answers, gonna ask --

How many of you answerers truly know Greek? And I mean know it, because I can look up words in concordances too, but that doesn't mean I can understand the grammar, tense, context, and cadence of the word when it's in a verse. So how many understand Greek enough to do all that linguistic/language nerdy stuff I don't get in foreign languages? (And it's a good nerdy. I wish I was that kind of person. lol)
Lynn,

I took two seminary courses in Greek, and studied Hebrew 2 hrs per day 6 days per week for seven years.

I do not consider myself to be expert in Greek; but I don't try to answer questions beyond my knowledge.

Angela and Old Hermit are both expert in Greek and agree on Grammar completely. Syntax rules are more flexible than Grammar rules and they do often disagree on syntax.

There are likely others on the Forum who are expert in Greek but I don't know who they are.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
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794
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#53
Regarding being expert, I am no expert even in English... or in my native language.

I am just a reader/user. Nothing more.
 
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Depleted

Guest
#54
Lynn,

I took two seminary courses in Greek, and studied Hebrew 2 hrs per day 6 days per week for seven years.

I do not consider myself to be expert in Greek; but I don't try to answer questions beyond my knowledge.

Angela and Old Hermit are both expert in Greek and agree on Grammar completely. Syntax rules are more flexible than Grammar rules and they do often disagree on syntax.

There are likely others on the Forum who are expert in Greek but I don't know who they are.
I know you're up to grammar and tense part, but are you comfortable enough in it to get context and cadence? (I'm not asking fluency, as much as "enough to get it in context and all.)

And, I'm pretty sure Trof is on the know-this team, along with OH and Angela. lol
 
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Depleted

Guest
#55
Regarding being expert, I am no expert even in English... or in my native language.

I am just a reader/user. Nothing more.
You can function in English quite well. I honestly don't know your native language. (I don't know which languages people speak in most countries.) But you seem able to do at least several language and I've guessed Greek is one of them. I'm not asking fluent and casual. I'm asking enough to get context.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
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#56
You can function in English quite well. I honestly don't know your native language. (I don't know which languages people speak in most countries.) But you seem able to do at least several language and I've guessed Greek is one of them. I'm not asking fluent and casual. I'm asking enough to get context.
I think I can get the context right in Greek in the most of time. Or in English.

I do not think I am able to express correctly the Greek or English grammar rules and other "scholarly" stuff. Thats why I mostly give my opinion and then step back and let others express/explain it technically :)

And thats why I position myself more into "user".

And my native language is Czech, west-slavic. Surprisingly, it gives me some good position for learning/using Greek, because Slavic languages have similar declensions, words order etc as Greek does.

I actually think its easier to get a general context than the right word´s form in some small isolated place.
 
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MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
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#57
I know you're up to grammar and tense part, but are you comfortable enough in it to get context and cadence? (I'm not asking fluency, as much as "enough to get it in context and all.)

And, I'm pretty sure Trof is on the know-this team, along with OH and Angela. lol

Usually but some verses use advanced constructions that are beyond my skill level. On such occasions I usually call on Angela for assistance.
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
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#58

so in Romans 8:27 -- "
because the Spirit intercedes . . " is correct?

to interpret it as "
because he [who searches the heart & knows the mind of the Spirit] intercedes . ." doesn't fit?
Verse 27 could say, by the way we express ourselves in English... The Searcher of the heart prays for true believers because "He" is in agreement with our Almighty God and Father. Remember that God is "a" Spirit, and we worship Him in His spiritual realm with His truth.
 
Dec 21, 2012
2,901
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#59
The simple fact that something is unspeakable does not mean it has no sound. The shout of joy, of pain, sounds of songs, whales´s songs etc are sounds that cannot be put into words.
Unutterable is the other definition to ascertain what unspeakable as in "alaletos" actually means. "With groanings which cannot be uttered" means no sound at all in the KJV in keeping with the truth in His words in all Bible versions of John 16:13. .

It did not say "with words which cannot be uttered" for then you would have a case for that.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,778
13,412
113
#60
Unutterable is the other definition to ascertain what unspeakable as in "alaletos" actually means. "With groanings which cannot be uttered" means no sound at all in the KJV in keeping with the truth in His words in all Bible versions of John 16:13. .

It did not say "with words which cannot be uttered" for then you would have a case for that.
John 16:13 says nothing about sound (other than the word, "hears"), so it doesn't support your interpretation of Romans 8:26 as "no sound at all".