Romans 8:16

“The Spirit itself beareth witness, etc..] The thing which the Spirit of God witnesses to is, that we are the sons of God; which supposes the case in some sense doubtful and uncertain, at least that it is called in question; not by others, though it sometimes is, as by Satan, which need not seem strange, since he called in question the sonship of Christ himself, and by the world who know them not, and by good men, till better informed: but the testimony of the Spirit is not the satisfaction of others, but the saints themselves; who are ready to doubt of it at times, because of the greatness of the favour, and their own sinfulness and unworthiness; especially after backslidings; through the…”

“The Spirit itself--It should be "Himself" (see on Rom 8:26). beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children--"are children" of God--The testimony of our own spirit is borne in that cry of conscious sonship, "Abba, Father"; but we are not therein alone; for the Holy Ghost within us, yea, even in that very cry which it is His to draw forth, sets His own distinct seal to ours; and thus, "in the mouth of two witnesses" the thing is established. The apostle had before called us "sons of God," referring to our adoption; here the word changes to "children," referring to our new birth. The one expresses the dignity to which we are admitted; the other the new life which we receive. The…”

“The Spirit - The Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit here is intended, is evident, Because this is the natural meaning of the expression; Because it is of the Holy Spirit that the apostle is mainly treating here; Because it would be an unnatural and forced construction to say of the temper of adoption that it bore witness. Beareth witness - Testifies, gives evidence. With our spirit - To our minds. This pertains to the adoption; and it means that the Holy Spirit furnishes evidence to our minds that we are adopted into the family of God. This effect is not infrequently attributed to the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1Jo 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 2:12. If it be asked how this is done, I answer,…”

“The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit - With the spirit of every true believer, by a testimony distinct from that of his own spirit, or the testimony of a good conscience. Happy they who enjoy this clear and constant. Romans 8:17”

“Spirit: Rom 8:23, Rom 8:26; Co2 1:22, Co2 5:5; Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30; Jo1 4:13 with our: Co2 1:12; Jo1 3:19-22, Jo1 5:10 Romans 8:17”