Romans 1:8

I thank. Paul begins many of his letters by thanking God in behalf of his readers (see 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Philemon 4), and at times expresses his desire to see them (Phil. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:4). Paul recognized and was grateful for progress already made by others in the Christian way, even though they might be in need of censure (see 1 Cor. 1:4, 5, 11). In this way he encouraged the believers and won their more sympathetic attention to the instruction to follow.

My God. This phrase emphasizes the personal nature of Paul’s relation to God as a Christian and as an apostle (cf. 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3; 4:19; Philemon 4).

Through Jesus Christ. In thanksgiving, as well as in prayer, we may approach God through Christ (see Eph. 5:20; Heb. 13:15).

Your faith. That is, your loyalty and devotion to Christ, your Christianity. A similar good report is mentioned in ch. 16:19, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men.”

The whole world. This may be the equivalent of our “everywhere” (see on John 12:19; cf. Acts 17:6; Col. 1:6), or it may be understood as representing the Roman Empire. Since Rome was the capital city and travelers were constantly passing through on their way to various parts of the empire, it is easy to see how reports of the new religion of the Roman Christians could spread to “all the world.” Especially would this news be carried and received with interest by the members of the other Christian churches throughout the empire. Paul may have been thinking of these in particular as the ones who were proclaiming the faith and obedience of their fellow believers in Rome.