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Romans 8:23,26
And not onlythey, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption,to wit, the redemption of our body…

2 Corinthians 1:22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 5:5
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thingis God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

with our.

2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

1 John 3:19-22
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him…

1 John 5:10
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

testifies with our spirit
The concept of testimony here is legal in nature, suggesting a confirmation or validation. The Holy Spirit provides an inner assurance to believers, affirming their identity in Christ. This aligns with the Jewish legal system where two or more witnesses were required to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). The Spirit's testimony is an internal witness that corroborates the believer's own spirit, providing a deep-seated assurance of their salvation and relationship with God.

that we are God’s children
This phrase speaks to the believer's adoption into God's family, a central theme in Pauline theology. In Roman culture, adoption was a significant legal act that granted the adopted person all the rights and privileges of a biological child. This metaphor highlights the transformation from being slaves to sin to becoming heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). The concept of being God's children is also rooted in Old Testament prophecy, where God promises to be a father to His people (2 Samuel 7:14). This adoption is made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to establish a new covenant with His people.

The verse begins by spotlighting a real Person, not an impersonal force.

• Scripture repeatedly identifies the Holy Spirit as the third Person of the Godhead—One who teaches, comforts, guides, and speaks (John 14:16-17;Acts 13:2).

• His personal involvement underscores that God takes the assurance of His people seriously; He does not delegate this task to mere feelings or circumstances but undertakes it Himself (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).

• Because the Spirit is “truth” (1 John 5:6), His testimony is utterly reliable.

“Testifies” is courtroom language: a sworn witness giving evidence.

• The Holy Spirit’s role parallels that of a legal advocate, confirming the facts of our relationship with the Father (John 15:26).

•Hebrews 10:15 says, “The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this,” showing that His witness is active and ongoing.

• Rather than a single, past-tense statement, His testimony is a lifelong ministry, reinforcing God’s promises whenever doubts surface.

The Spirit does not shout from a distance; He works “with our spirit.”

• The phrase points to an intimate, inner cooperation: God’s Spirit speaks alongside the regenerated human spirit that came alive at conversion (Ephesians 2:4-5;1 Corinthians 6:17).

•Galatians 4:6 illustrates this synergy: “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”

• Practical implications:

– A settled inward assurance that God is Father.

– Conviction of sin that leads to repentance, not despair (John 16:8).

– A growing desire for holiness and fellowship with God’s people (Philippians 2:13).

The content of the Spirit’s testimony is specific: adoption into God’s family.

•Romans 8:15 just declared, “You received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Verse 16 explains how we know this is true.

•John 1:12 affirms, “To all who received Him…He gave the right to become children of God.” The Spirit confirms that right in real time.

• This status brings:

– Access: we approach the Father with boldness (Hebrews 4:16).

– Inheritance: “if children, then heirs” (Romans 8:17).

– Identity: “See what love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).

Romans 8:16 assures believers that God Himself, through the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit, continually bears witness deep within that we truly belong to Him. This inner testimony is reliable, cooperative with our renewed spirit, and centered on our adopted status as God’s cherished children. The result is steadfast confidence, motivating holiness and joyful intimacy with the Father.

This passage makes it clear that the Apostle, in spite of the strongly mystic tone of his language elsewhere, never confuses the human and the divine.

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