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Ordinary Time · Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Romans 8:26-27

Future Glory

July 19, 2026

Saint Paul Writing, Pier Francesco Sacchi
Saint Paul Writing, Pier Francesco Sacchi, 1520sThe National Gallery, London
Paul in a red cloak sits writing at a desk by a window, a crucifix and his sword beside him, a landscape opening behind.The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.Pier Francesco SacchiA Genoese painter of the early sixteenth century, known for richly detailed saints.The National Gallery, LondonThe National Gallery, London.The National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 13:24-43Mt 13:24-43 orMatt. 13:24-30Mt 13:24-30
Second ReadingRom. 8:26-27Rom 8:26-27
First ReadingWis. 12:13, 16-19Wis 12:13, 16-19
Responsorial PsalmPs. 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 (5a)Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 (5a)

Overview & Insights

“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

1. Suffering/glory (8:18) 2. Three groanings (8:19–27) a. Creation groans (hope for the revelation of the children of God) (8:19–22) b. Believers groan (firstfruits of the Spirit / by hope we were saved) (8:23–25) c. The Spirit groans (the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses) (8:26–27) 3. Suffering/glory (8:28–30)1 Each of these points—suffering/glory, the groaning of creation, the groaning of Christians, and the groaning of the Spirit—includes blessings of the age to come and the new covenant that have already dawned for Christians but are not yet complete.

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Take it further: Romans 8:26-27

Commentary

Working Preacher: Commentary on Romans 8:26-39Working Preacher: Commentary on Rom 8:26-39 Working Preacher

A preaching focused reading of the Spirit's intercession that covers these verses.

Enduring Word: Romans 8Enduring Word: Rom 8 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.

Bible Hub: Romans 8:26 CommentariesBible Hub: Rom 8:26 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentaries on the Spirit's help in prayer.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 8Barnes' Notes on Rom 8 StudyLight

A concise nineteenth century commentary on the chapter.

Brant Pitre on the 16th Sunday Readings (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

A Catholic reading of the Spirit's intercession alongside the day's Gospel.

Background & Word Study

Bible Hub Interlinear: Romans 8Bible Hub Interlinear: Rom 8 BibleHub

The Greek text with parsing and gloss for each word.

BibleProject: Overview of Romans 5-16BibleProject: Overview of Rom 5-16 BibleProject

An animated walk through the second half of the letter.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Romans 8Catena: Rom 8 Catena

Early church comment on the Spirit's intercession gathered by verse.

Questions preachers ask

What is creation waiting for?

The whole creation groans in labor pains, and we with it, awaiting the redemption of our bodies; present suffering is nothing beside the glory soon to be revealed.

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