Chapter 1:8-17

Commentary On The Epistle To The Romans

By Dr. John R. Stone

Romans 1:8-17

1 8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at least by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and then also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’” (NASB)

Overview:

Paul completes his general introduction to this letter and identifies the foundational theme of his message in verses 8-16. In these verses he expresses his heart-felt gratitude for the faithfulness of the young believers at Rome because the reputation of their faith had spread throughout the entire region of the Mediterranean. For Paul, the proof of his gratitude for their faithfulness is seen in his unceasing prayers that at long last he will be able to be with them in person.

In verses 11-15, Paul explains why is he is so eager to see them face to face. First, he wants to impart some spiritual gift to them (vs. 11). Second, he wants to be encouraged, each by the other’s faith (vs.12). Third, he hopes to do some evangelism while he is with them (vs. 13). Paul explains in verses 14 and 15 why he is so eager to preach the gospel. He feels he must do it because of how gracious God has been toward him. He feels he must pay this debt of gratitude with his obedience. He is eager to proclaim this wonderful message in Rome, and he is ready to work and sacrifice to make that message known.

Thanks for Faithfulness and Testimony

Vs. 8:

The report of the courageous faith of the new Christians in Rome had spread far and wide.

Prayers for Fellowship and Encouragement

Vs. 9:

The gospel is the good news about God’s Son and Paul’s aim is to make that message known.

Vss. 10, 13:

Paul prayed for the privilege of meeting with the believers in Rome.

Vs. 11:

When he refers to “some spiritual gift,” Paul may have in mind the gifts he listed in Romans 12:6-8.

Vs. 12:

Although Paul was an Apostle, he needed to be encouraged. Even new believers have something to offer older Christians.

Vs. 13:

To “obtain some fruit” probably refers to leading people to Jesus there in Rome (John 4:35, 36).

Vss. 14-15:

Because his own salvation was free and undeserved, Paul is eager to share the gospel with everybody everywhere.

Paul states his theme for the entire book of Romans in these next power-packed verses. Verse 17 is one of the most important verses in the Bible. It is a quotation from Habakkuk 2:4, and is quoted two more times—in Galatians 3:1 and Hebrews 10:38. This verse, which appears four times in Scripture, establishes the fact that our righteousness as believers is obtained by faith, not works. God used this verse in Martin Luther’s life to start the Protestant Reformation around A.D. 1520, and to call the Church back to this foundational truth after it had drifted into the idea that salvation could be obtained through mere religious activity.

Boldness through Revelation and Experience

Vs. 16:

Because only the message about Jesus has the power to save people from God’s wrath, Paul is not afraid to share it.

Vs. 17:

God’s love and justice are made clear in the message about what Christ did on the cross. It is faith, not works or ritual, by which we are made acceptable to God.

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