The Spirit Helps our Weakness: Rom 8:26a in Light of Paul’s Missiological Purpose for Writing the Letter to the Romans

The Spirit Helps Our Weakness examines the fundamental question

of how precisely the Spirit aids the weakness of believers. After an

initial discussion on the way Rom 8,26-27 has been interpreted, the

study explores the central issues and conclusions in scholarship on the

Romans debate. Building upon that scholarship, this study contends that

Paul’s purpose in writing the letter revolved around a missiological

imperative, which permeates the letter. The second part of the work

provides an exegetical analysis of Rom 8,26a, including the way in which

the clause fits within its broader context, particularly within vv.

26-27. In light of Paul’s missiological motivation, this study argues

that the Spirit serves as activating agent to accomplish God’s mission.

Ultimately, the missiological nature of the Spirit, working within

believers, underlines the priority for Paul’s ministry and by extension,

his purpose for writing the Letter to the Romans.