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Romans 1:8-15

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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 any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12. That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Romans 1:8-15 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 1:8

Theological / Devotional

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.

By SdaBc