8:16a

The Spirit Himself: This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit. The word Himself emphasizes that it is the Holy Spirit that bears witness.

testifies with our spirit: The word testifies means “reports what one saw.” The phrase is often used where the person is expected to be truthful and accurate. Here the Holy Spirit, along with our spirit, report truthfully that we are God’s children. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

bears witness with our spirit (English Standard Version)
-or-
together with our spirit speaks out

our spirit: Here the word spirit refers to the inner part of a person. In some languages the word spirit refers only to the part of a person that still lives after the body dies. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of the inner part of a person while he is still alive. For example:

our insides/hearts/livers

8:16b

God’s children: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as children refers to boys and girls and men and women who have a parent. It is different from the Greek word that is translated “sons” in 8:14, but in these verses the meaning is the same.

In some languages it is more clear or more natural to repeat that believers are adopted children of God (from 8:15). For example:

⌊adopted⌋ children of God

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