City Life Starter

I. The Word: Romans 1:8-14

8 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.

II. Study Questions

1. What is the two major theme of verse 8?

2. What was Paul’s main reason to visit Rome?

3. What was Paul’s calling or mission?

There has been two decades since the existence of Christians in Rome prior to Paul’s letter to Roman Christians.  It would not be unlikely that the church in Rome was established after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (Acts 2:10)   The church in Rome had a great reputation among believers around the world, especially among the apostles.  When you are writing to a church that is more than two decades old with a great reputation, your writing may be quite different than churches that are young and have a variety of issues, such as heretical teaching in regard to church order (Read Corinthians).  Here, Paul’s letter to Romans begins with thanksgiving and his desire to visit in the near future.  

Commentary

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul begins with thankfulness of what God is doing in Rome and the reputation of their faith around the world.  This he credits God through Jesus Christ, in that it would have been only possible due to the working of God.  Unlike Paul’s other letters, where he corrects and reprimands lack of faith and action, Paul begins with satisfaction and praise for the examples the Romans are to the churches throughout the world.  The greater emphasis in their faith.

What is important for Christians is the preservation of our faith.  As Romans were known for their extraordinary faith, it is clear that faith matters.  Faith in Jesus Christ transcends far greater than confession alone, but obedience of His Word.  When you compare Romans to Corinthians, you see how deprave the church can become when faith is mere words rather than obedience and conviction.

9-10 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

It would be good to point out here that the gospel of God (verse 1) reference is “the gospel of his Son” (verse 9).  For the early Jewish Christians, belief in the true God, monotheism, was a tenet of their faith. The Doctrine of Trinity (God in three in One) was still in its earlier stage of development of since the church did not yet face some of the heretical teachings that the church would face in the second century.  Paul’s early thought of God the Father and God the Son is evident in his writings that ultimately established the Doctrine of Trinity by the church fathers and became an official church doctrine in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicea.

In the will of God to come to you.  Paul’s primary concern is not accomplishing his own agenda but being led by God.  Though he longed to visit Rome, Paul waits to be led by God, rather than being opportunistic and for personal gain.  The greater emphasis is on the will of God and how sensitive Paul was to God’s leading.  

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.

Paul’s desire was not a selfish one, but to impart some spiritual gift to strengthen their faith in Christ.  The word Gift, or also known as charisma (Greek), is used in this sense as special gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit.  Whether Paul emphasis is imparting a special gift or in general is not the emphasis, but his desire to impart spiritual gifts to Roman Christians.  

12 That is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.  

The emphasis is on mutual faith, in that Paul’s future visit to Rome would not be one-sided or beneficial to Romans alone, but by going to Rome, Paul would benefit from the visit.  What would benefit Paul?  Roman Christian’s faith in Jesus Christ and their commitment to the Gospel.

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.

It is unclear what prevented Paul to visit Rome previously, but he had tried on many occasions and deterred due to different circumstances and needs of other churches.  The purpose of his future visit would be laboring fruit/harvest among Christians.  As in the continuation of the previous verse, the emphasis would be beneficial to both parties, rather than his own.  Bearing fruit or harvest is in terms of what Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” (Matt. 9:37) In this terms of understanding, Paul would be indicating converts from Roman Hellenism to Christianity, especially gentiles.  Paul has seen great conversions from the Gentile world, and he’d desire to see it also in Rome.

14-15 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Who was Paul indebted to?  Paul’s commission was to preach the gospel to the gentiles, he was to go to the gentile world to share the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  This commission is not limited to a certain group, whether they are intellectual or non-intellectual, Paul would not limit himself but to be the vessel for the gospel to non-believers.  Paul addresses his main purpose and desire to visit Rome, to preach the gospel to both Jews and gentiles.  The emphasis is on preaching the gospel, which is Paul’s call as an apostle.