Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 8:26-27

What does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones say is the primary theme of Romans chapter 8?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the primary theme of Romans chapter 8 is assurance of salvation. He states, "We have been emphasizing from the very beginning of this great chapter that the theme of the chapter is assurance of salvation. What the apostle is here concerned to expound is that there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, that there is none now, that there never will be. The whole object of the whole chapter is to show that our final glorification is absolutely guaranteed from the moment of our justification."

What is the meaning of "infirmities" in Romans 8:26?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "infirmity" primarily means weakness or lack of strength. He importantly clarifies that "infirmity is not sinful in and of itself. There is a difference between infirmities and sins. Our infirmities may lead us to sin, but our infirmities in and of themselves are not sinful." These infirmities are the "result and the consequences of the original fall of men" and include our limitations, particularly our ignorance and inability to understand. They can arise from bodily conditions, tiredness, illness, or circumstances that perplex and discourage us.

What specific problem with prayer does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify in Romans 8:26?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies that the specific problem is not that Christians don't know how to pray in general, but rather that "we know not what we should pray for as we ought." He emphasizes that the issue is about the content of our prayers in specific circumstances. He states: "In my peculiar circumstances, what am I to pray for? Isn't that your problem? Yes, he says, the apostle, that's the problem. Especially when you're in these trials and troubles and tribulations and everything's going against you. You know how to approach God in prayer, but your difficulty is what exactly the what to pray for."

What biblical examples does Lloyd-Jones provide of praying for the wrong things?

Lloyd-Jones provides two main biblical examples of praying for the wrong things: 1. Moses in Deuteronomy 3:23-26, who prayed to enter the Promised Land, but God was wroth with him and told him to speak no more of the matter. 2. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, who prayed three times for the removal of his "thorn in the flesh," but God refused and instead told him "My grace is sufficient for thee."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest we should respond when we don't know what to pray for?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests three responses when we don't know what to pray for: 1. Recognize our infirmity like the man in Psalm 77 who said, "This is my infirmity" when he began to doubt God's goodness. 2. Acknowledge our perplexity openly to God instead of rushing into offering potentially wrong petitions. 3. Take the difficulty to God and tell Him we don't know what to pray for, leaving it entirely in His hands, as Paul did in Philippians 1:23-26 when he was "in a strait betwixt two."

What is the significance of the word "likewise" at the beginning of Romans 8:26?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "likewise" connects this passage to the previous work of the Holy Spirit mentioned throughout the chapter. While some interpret it as simply adding another way the Spirit helps us in trials (alongside hope), Lloyd-Jones believes it primarily connects to the series of things the apostle has been saying about the Holy Spirit Himself. He states: "I think that this second possibility is the more real one" because it fits with the chapter's theme of assurance of salvation and continues the apostle's teaching about the various works of the Holy Spirit in guaranteeing our ultimate glorification.

How does Christ's experience in the Garden of Gethsemane relate to our prayer struggles?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests that even Christ experienced something of this struggle in knowing what to pray for. He points to Jesus' words in John 12:27: "Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour?" and His prayer in Gethsemane: "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass by. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done." Lloyd-Jones notes that even "the eternal Son of God, as Son of Man" knew this perplexity. He adds that Hebrews 5:5-8 tells us Christ "learned obedience by the things which he suffered" and offered prayers "with strong crying and tears," which helps Him as our High Priest to understand and help us in our similar struggles.