The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Spirit itself, х auto (G846) to (G3588) pneuma (G4151)] - it should be 'Himself.' It is unfortunate that our English version here and elsewhere follows the Greek construction, which requires the pronoun to be in the neuter gender, to agree with the noun which in that language is neuter. Even in the Greek original of John 16:13 - where it was of special importance to mark that what was meant by this neuter noun was a living Person-there, even in the Greek, the masculine pronoun, "HE," is used х ekeinos (G1565) to (G3588) pneuma (G4151)]. This is our warrant for using the English 'He' and 'Himself' in every place where it is clear, as it is here (and even more so in Romans 8:26-27), that the Holy Spirit as a living Divine Person is meant.
Beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children - rather, 'that we are children' of God. The testimony of our own spirit is borne, in that cry of conscious sonship, "Abba, Father;" but it seems we are not therein alone, for the Holy Spirit within us-yea, even in that very cry which it is His to draw forth-sets His own distract seal to ours; and thus, "in the mouth of two witnesses" the thing is established.
It is interesting to observe that, whereas in Romans 8:14 the apostle called us "sons of God" х huioi (G5207) Theou (G2316)], referring to our adoption, here the word changes to "children" х tekna (G5043)], referring to our new birth. The one expresses the dignity to which we are admitted; the other the new life which we receive. The latter is more suitable here, because a son by adoption might not be heir of the property, whereas a son by birth certainly is; and this is what the apostle is now coming to.
The Inheritance of the Sons of God (Romans 8:17-25)