For
I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:11-12
Romans 1 [1.] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake; among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1 [8.] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1 [13.] Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
Meaning:
Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, probably from Corinth around AD 57, before he had ever visited them. He prayed constantly that he might “by the will of God” come to them (Romans 1:10).
- “For I long to see you”
He had “often planned to come” but “was hindered so far” (Romans 1:13), and he spoke of “having these many years a longing to come to you” (Romans 15:23). He hoped to visit on his way to Spain.
- “That I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established”
Paul does not say exactly what this “spiritual gift” would be. Some understand it as one of the gifts of the Spirit that he describes elsewhere; others take it more generally as spiritual blessing through his teaching and presence. Either way, the purpose was that the Roman believers would be “established”, made firm in their faith.
- “That I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith”
Paul expected to receive as well as give. Encouragement in the church flows both ways.
- How the longing was fulfilled
Paul did reach Rome, but not as he had planned. He came as a prisoner. When believers from Rome walked out along the road to meet him, “he thanked God, and took courage” (Acts 28:15). The encouragement he had hoped for came before he even entered the city.
The Significance of Romans 1:11-12
- Mutual encouragement
No believer is too mature to need others. Every Christian can both give and receive strength.
- Longing shaped by God’s will
Paul prayed to come “by the will of God”, and God answered in his own way and time.
Cross-References:
Acts 28:15: "When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage." The encouragement fulfilled.
Romans 15:32: "that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest." Paul’s prayer request.
Romans 1:13: "I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far," A long-delayed visit.
Conclusion: Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome so that he could share a spiritual gift to strengthen them, and so that he and they could be encouraged together by each other’s faith. That hope was fulfilled years later when Roman Christians met him on the road as he arrived in chains.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible