Is Groaning Praying In Tongues?

Praying in tongues or speaking in tongues —glossalalia—is one of the controversial subjects of Scripture. Is the gift operational today? Some answer yes. Others no. Both parties base their arguments on Scripture. I belong to the “nay” group. This article however is not to engage the debate but to examine a text famously interpreted as praying in tongues among Pentecostal and Charismatics.  “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought , but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”. (Roman’s 8:26).

Is there a justification for that interpretation?

Romans 8:26 is part of Paul’s exposition on the subject of grief, pain and suffering of believers in a fallen body in a fallen world. The Christian actively participates in the pain and grief of this world and yet holds a hope of future deliverance. A day of redemption from a sin ridden body. For context, a consideration of these verses will be helpful.

¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us

²²For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

²³And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

²⁶“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought , but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”.

Groaning

The word groan (verb) and groaning(noun) used in the text indicates an expression of grief and pain. It is a sigh—a deep sigh of pain. Note how Paul uses the pains of childbirth in v.22 to convey groaning: “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” We have three kids. I was at the labour ward at the birth of two of them and I think I have a good idea (just an idea from observation) what the pain of childbirth is.

Instructively, the words groan and groaning are not used only in v.26. They are used in vv. 22 and 23 also. In v.22, the creation, that is, the whole of the natural world groans. So it is not only the believer who awaits redemption. But the whole creation. The creation groans. The believer groans.  If groaning in v.26  is interpreted as praying in tongues, then the groaning of the creation must also be tongues speaking. Will those who hold the view of groaning as tongues speaking accept this? I doubt.

The Holy Spirit Our Helper

After his earthly ministry when Christ was going back to the Father; he assured the disciples he will send them the Holy Spirit who will be to them a parakletos—Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor (John 14:16). This promise by extension is to all believers of all generations. Now in Romans 8:26, we see one of the comforting works of the Holy Spirit at work. He aids us in prayer. He intercedes on our behalf in prayer. He identifies with our weaknesses. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness”.

How does the Spirit intercede for us? The word “Likewise” gives a clue. That word is linked to the groanings in vv.22, 23. What Paul is saying therefore is that, the Holy Spirit groans just like the creation and the believer groans. The Holy Spirit is not groaning for his redemption, but the Holy Spirit is identifying with the groanings of the believer in their weaknesses. The Holy Spirit in identifying with our groanings communicates a prayer on our behalf. He knows our hearts and is able to intercede on our behalf what is God’s will “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”(v.27)

The Unspoken Prayer.

Groaning in Romans 8:26 as we see in the text is not spoken words.: “groanings too deep for words.” There are no words involved. Only groaning: sighing. And the groaning in view here is also not our groaning. It is the Holy Spirit’s groaning: “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

The Holy Spirit’s intercession for the believer has been described by John MacArthur as “Divine articulations within the Trinity that cannot be expressed in words, but carry profound appeals for the welfare of every believer.”

Groaning Is Not Praying In Tongues

Groaning, stenagmos in the original language is not speaking in tongues which is glossalalia in the original. If speaking in tongues was what Paul meant by groaning, we are sure he would have used the NT word used for the occurrence.

In light of my submissions, I conclude there is no justification to read Romans 8:26 and especially groaning in the text as praying or speaking in tongues.