Romans 1:8-15 - I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you - by Ken Clezy

V 8: I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you

Apart from the Galatians, Paul always thanks God for his people, even the Corinthians, a church riven by party spirit and sexual immorality. He is well aware that a weak Christian is still a Christian; nevertheless he wants all of us to grow, and he always does his best to teach and encourage.

We may be amazed that Paul knew so much about the churches he had founded, and others too. Apart from three months in winter, a great deal of shipping criss-crossed the Med, and the Egnatian Way was open all the time. This was a marvellous 1100 km Roman road from Constantinople across Greece to the Adriatic, followed by a short ferry ride to Italy. Three weeks by road, and more expensive than up to 3 months by ship. The road passed through Thessalonica, which partly explains that city’s great wealth.
He prayed for the Roman church, as he did for Christians everywhere. How did a busy man actually do that?

He didn’t have Netflix or the many other distractions that combine to take over our lives if we allow it. You can always find the time to pray if you’re serious. Years ago my brother’s cardiologist told him to walk for half-an-hour every day. He was a busy GP, a morning person who arose at 5.30 to read his Bible and pray. Then a quick breakfast and off to work. He taught himself to pray with his eyes open, walking Launceston streets in the early morning. Problem solved.

Those of us who have retired have plenty of time to pray. If you are anything like me, you have family and friends who need our prayers, perhaps before we remember other people and places.

V 9-10 God is my witness Paul seems to use this expression when he fears people mightn’t believe him. Or perhaps Roman Christians wondered why he hadn’t visited them already. He assures them he prays that it will be God’s will that he visit them. Paul had very good reason to visit Rome, but that in that in itself wasn’t enough. Do we seek God’s will about all our plans and intentions, or only when we have doubts?

V 11-12 V 11 sounds heavy-handed, with him giving and them receiving; he almost over-corrects with v12: mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Perhaps the NIV translators think he does, because they leave out the third of Paul’s assurances that he expects to be blessed by seeing their faith, and vice versa. He was a man of strong opinions, which often has pride as a downside, but not in Paul – in 1 Tim 1 he describes himself as the worst of sinners.

V 13 He has wanted to preach the Gospel to them just as he has to other Gentiles. Some claim this is inconsistent with his stated aim to preach where the name of Christ wasn’t known. Not so. He was like any evangelist; they won’t be silent if they see an opportunity.

V 14 I am obligated to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Paul had no doubt; the Gospel is for everybody. Do we judge some people to be beyond the reach of the good news? We have no right to do that. Eternity magazine often carries stories of most unlikely conversions, where God the Holy Spirit has revealed the living Jesus Christ to hardened criminals, prostitutes and other unlikely characters.

V 15 That is why I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are at Rome.
The NIV like many others has the word eager rather than ready, but Paul’s word hasn’t quite that vigour, perhaps a hint that he is treading carefully. After all, some Romans might think he is including them among the foolish!