Romans 1:8-15 (NKJV) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
V8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Paul extends his greetings to the Roman believers with thanksgiving. He thanks God for them and their faith. The faith refers to the Gospel in word and deed. They did not just believe, but they also lived it. People in the whole empire speak of the Christ-followers in Rome.
V9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers…
Paul takes an oath. He states that this is his call to serve God body, soul, and spirit teaching, preaching, and living the Gospel. Paul evidently has a prayer list with one group of prayers being offered for the different assemblies of believers (2 Corinthians 11:28). A principle taught here is to care about the needs of others (Philippians 2:4).
V10 …making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
One of his prayers is to be able to reach Rome to minister to the assembly. Note his wanting to know the will of God. Another principle is taught: Is God’s will important to us or is our own will most important? Since God is the King of everything good, we are servants and His will be done.
We should always say or at least have the attitude that God’s will be done, when we pray. See James 4:13-15.
V11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established…
His love for the brothers and sisters is great, for his great desire is to be there to give some spiritual gift. The Greek word for impart is (G3330) μεταδίδωμι, metadídōmi, which means to share with. It is a compound word for with and give.
Wuest Word Studies: “Hence he would say, ’I desire to impart some spiritual gift that you may be strengthened; not that I would imply a reproach of weakness or instability, but that I desire for you the strengthening of which I stand in need along with you, and which I hope may be wrought in us both by personal intercourse and our mutual faith’ ” (Vincent). Robertson suggests, “Instead of saying that he had a spiritual gift for them, he wishes to add that they also have one for him.” He translates, “That I with you may be comforted,” and adds, “My being comforted in you with you, a mutual blessing to each party (you and me).” The word “comfort” usually carries with it the idea of consolation, which is not Paul’s thought here. The word is sumparakaleō, “to strengthen with others.” It is a mutual strengthening, brought about by Paul’s ministry among them and their association with him, that the apostle is speaking of.”
Paul’s motive is to strengthen the faith in believers. Part of strengthening the faith deals with apologetics. We need to defend the faith we believe. What do we believe? Why do we believe that? Why do we live this way? What about ____? All pastors and teachers need to have this same goal. See Titus 1:9 and other qualifications in Titus.
V12 …that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Not only is he anticipating strengthening them, he also needs their help and assistance to strengthen him. This is the greatness of fellowship—to help each other. The purpose of God’s giving spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:7-13, and 1 Peter 4:10-11) is the mutual assistance to help one another (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
V13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
He wants them to know that he has desired to be with them, even planning to do so, but he had been hindered until now. What hindered him? Many things hinder—the kingdom of darkness, sickness, another assembly has an emergency, government interference, etc. What the particular thing that hindered Paul is unknown.
V14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.
Why is he a debtor? This doesn’t refer to financial issues, but spiritual blessings and assistance from Jewish believers and non-Jewish believers.
Ray Stedman (as found on Precept Austin on this verse) comments:
These three are the marks of Christian maturity. He says “I am” three times:
- “I am under obligation,” that is, “I am concerned about others.”
- “I am eager,” that is, “I am committed, ready to fling myself without reserve into the work.”
- And, third, “I am not ashamed,” that is, “I am confident, resting on unshakable experience in Christ.”
“Now, these are the three marks of the man that God uses: The mature Christian is concerned, committed, and confident.
“The minute the Spirit of God begins to really work in your life and mine, these marks begin to show themselves, in this order. I have seen this so many times in talking to somebody just at the very threshold of Christian faith, a person who has been brought to the sense of his need for Christ. After a person has yielded his life to Christ, almost invariably the first thing he says is, “You know, I have a friend I would like to tell this to.” Or, “I want you to meet my mother” (or my father, or my brother, or my sister). Or, “I want to bring somebody else to talk with you.”
V15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
He is ready and willing to come. He waits for God’s timing.
We learn:
- To be concerned and care about other believers.
- To be ready to serve God when the opportunity arises and if able.
- To be thankful for other believers.
Questions:
- Are you thankful for other Christ-followers?
- Are you ready to serve others?
- Are you ready and willing to use your spiritual gift?