Romans 8:27

He that searcheth. That is, God (see 1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Kings 8:39; Jer. 17:10; Acts 1:24; Rev. 2:23).

The mind. That is, the thought, the intention, the purpose (see on v. 6). God knows the desires the Holy Spirit inspires in our hearts. He does not need to have these deep emotions expressed in words. He does not need the eloquence of language to induce Him to hear. He understands the anxious longings of the heart and is ready to aid and to bless.

Because. Greek hoti, which may also be rendered “that.” Some prefer “that,” their preference being based on the understanding that the remaining words of this verse do not give a reason why God knows the intention of the Spirit but rather a description of the nature of the Spirit’s intercession. The majority, however, retain the “because.”

Maketh intercession. Greek entugchano (see on v. 26). The Holy Spirit is the other “Comforter” (parakletos, see on John 14:16), who pleads God’s cause with us, as Christ is our “advocate” (parakletos) with the Father (1 John 2:1).

For the saints. Literally, “for saints.”

According to the will of God. Literally, “according to God,” meaning according to His will. Compare 2 Cor. 7:9-11, where the same phrase is translated “godly.” In the Greek these words are placed in a position of emphasis before the verb “maketh intercession.”

The second half of this verse offers two reasons combined in one why God knows the mind of the Spirit. In the first place the Spirit intercedes in accordance with God’s own will and purpose, “for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). Second, the Spirit’s intercession is for “saints,” and saints are the special objects of the divine purpose in accordance with which the Spirit intercedes. God’s purpose for saints is the theme of the following verses.