Calvin

1:8

Their reputation was enough to assure Paul of a good reception for his teaching. He moves to prepare them to hear by testifying to his love for them. In giving thanks for their faith, Paul clearly indicates God as the source of that faith. We ought to learn from this to give thanks to God for all His gifts to us. In giving thanks through Christ, he recognizes the One through whom we obtain mercy from the Father. In giving thanks to his God, he exercises the privilege of the true believer, to be God's people, and Him their God (Jer 30:22). There is also the aspect of sealing the prophet's reputation by acknowledging God as their God (Is 37:4 - the Lord your God, Dan 6:20 - God, your God). For Paul, the faithful are the whole world, the only ones whose opinions could have any bearing on the character of his audience.

1:9

Paul continues by giving evidence of his love, in that he labored hard in prayer for them, calling upon God to witness to the truth of his words. An oath of this nature, acting to make certain an otherwise uncertain statement, does not violate Christ's prohibition. For oaths in themselves are not forbidden, only false and needless oaths are condemned. Rather, the oath in this case confirms the message to its hearers, and reminds the giver of God's role as Avenger in the case of the deceitful oath (2Co 1:23 - God is witness to my soul). He declares that his worship of God is from the heart; not a surface thing as with false teachers, nor trapped in the forms of the old ways (Php 3:3 - The true circumcision worship God in the Spirit, and care naught for the flesh). "…it cannot be, but that where there is a real fear of God, there must be also a reverence for His name." We learn from Paul's example that, when we do take an oath, we ought to be certain to give such 'evidence of piety, that the name of God…may retain its sacredness.' Further, Paul declares his dedication to his calling to teach, being devoted to God's service in preaching the gospel. That the preaching of the gospel of the Son is a service pleasing to God ought to suffice to encourage any true minister of the Gospel. For the gospel glorifies the Son, and by Him, the Father. Again, the strength of Paul's love shows in his inclusion of the Romans in all his prayers to God. By this, he clearly means only those prayers offered after preparation to pray, and not necessarily those that were more spur of the moment. Such prayers prepared for, he says, he prayed continually.

1:10

Paul joins action to his prayer, in displaying love for his audience. For his prayer is to come to them. He seeks not only the Lord's favor for a successful journey, but indicates also that in his view, if the Lord approved his journey, that it was already by that alone a prosperous journey. This provides us with a good model to follow in our prayers, when we seek favors from our Lord.

 

 

Matthew Henry

1:8

We ought to thank God first and last for every blessing. But even those thanks are only pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. Our love ought to express itself not only in prayers for our friends, but also in giving God praise for them, for it is only through Him that they are what they are to us. Paul's love extends itself to the whole church in Rome, not only those he knew personally. Their reputation was established amongst all the places they had previously been scattered by Claudius' banishing of the Jews. Paul now reminds them of their reputation not to puff up pride, but to stir them to greater effort in preserving it (Ecc 10:1 - A little foolishness overwhelms wisdom and honor). To be famous for faith is a desirable thing (Heb 11:2 - men of old obtained approval by faith). The church at Rome stands as a lesson to those who are in eminent and observable circumstance, that they must the more care for their steps. When the letter was written, that church stood as a fine example, but now even this letter is become a letter against the church in Rome today.

1:9-1:10

Even the best founded remain in need of our prayer for God's kindness towards them. From Paul's example, we learn that we must be constant in prayer (Eph 6:18 - Praying always in the Spirit, with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. 1Th 5:17 - Pray without ceasing). We must also pray for the good of particular saints. To the private prayer, God is indeed a witness (Mt 6:6 - He sees what we do in our prayer time, and will repay it). All our prayers, whether for purposes or desires must include an appeal to the will of our Lord (Jas 4:15 - If the Lord wills, we shall live and do), for our ways are prosperous and comfortable or not as He pleases.

 

 

Adam Clarke

1:8

This begins the preface to the letter. The faith of the Roman church was celebrated throughout the Roman Empire, wherever Christianity was professed.

1:9

Paul declares that his worship is fully involved - body and soul. It is not a religion of ceremonies that he speaks of, but one of life and power in the Spirit.

1:10

Paul's earnestness shows in that he was so long in praying for a prosperous meeting with the Roman church.

 

 

Barnes' Notes

1:8

Before proceeding, Paul gives thanks for God's mercy to the Romans. As members of one big family, it is right and proper for us to give thanks for God's graciousness to others, as well as ourselves. All our prayers and praises to God ought to be delivered through Christ, for He is our Mediator, who is to 'present our cause before the mercy-seat.' (Eph 5:20 - We are always to give thanks for all things in Jesus' name. Heb 13:15 - we are to offer up a continual sacrifice of praise to God, through Christ Jesus. Jn 14:14 - If we ask in His name, He will do it). That his thanks is for all in the Roman church speaks well of their purity, for it is a rare church in which all are known for their faith and obedience (Ro 16:19 - their obedience was known to all men). Their conversion to God was all the more remarkable given the nature of the wicked city in which they resided. "The religious or irreligious influence of a great city will be felt far and wide." It is not improper to commend Christians, for it acts to remind them of the power they may have on other churches and people (Col 1:6 - The gospel has born fruit in all the world, Col 1:23 - having been proclaimed in all creation. Jn 12:19 - The world has gone after Christ).

1:9

Paul appeals to God to validate the sincerity of his interest in the welfare of the Roman church. He also declares his devotion to God, as one obeying Him in giving himself to the service of making the gospel known, a service internal, real and sincere, a complete devotion. His visit to Rome was a constant matter of concern in his prayers (1Th 1:3, 2Th 2:13 - as was the work of the Thessalonican church). Paul's prayers for a church he had not personally known stand as an example for us to pray not only for friends and family, but for all who are in God's family.

1:10

Paul made his desire to see them known before God (Ro 1:13 - he had long wanted to come, but had been prevented from doing so). He hoped that now, the time of accomplishing this trip might be soon. It is good and right to consider all our travels as depending on God, and prayers for their success and safety are quite reasonable. But we must be aware that God will answer such prayers in His own time and way, even as He did these prayers of Paul's. All our prayers should seek accord with His will (Jas 4:14-15 - If the Lord wills…).

 

 

Wycliffe

1:8

Paul expected his visit to Rome to be beneficial both to them and himself. That Paul's letters tend to open with thanksgiving to God testifies of his closeness to God. It is to be noted that he offers his thanks as well as his petitions through Christ Jesus. (1Co 1:4 - I thank God concerning you. Eph 1:16 - I don't cease giving thanks for you. Col 1:3 - We give thanks to God for you, 1Th 1:2 - always for all of you, 2Th 1:3 - which is only fitting. Phm 4 - I thank my God always, 1Ti 1:12 - for He who strengthened me, put me into service. 2Ti 1:3 - I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience).

1:9

Paul emphasizes the inward aspect of his service to God, calling on God who alone knows that inward man to testify on his behalf.

1:10

Paul earnestly seeks God's will on the matter of a trip to Rome, and having heard no clear 'No', continues praying toward that end.

 

 

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1:8

no comments

1:9

'Serve' here indicates religious service, as always in Scripture. That service is given from his inmost soul (Lk 1:47 - my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior. Mt 5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit. Mk 8:12 - Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit, considering why they demanded a sign. Jn 11:33 - He was moved in spirit to see Mary weeping. Jn 13:21 - He was troubled in spirit when He declared that one of His disciples would betray Him. Ac 17:16 - Paul's spirit was provoked by all the idols that filled Athens. 1Th 5:23 - The God of peace sanctifies us spirit, soul, and body). Paul's entire life, and all his official activities were directed toward the gospel of God's Son.

1:10

It is reasonably clear that 'always in my prayers making request' belongs to this verse, and not to verse 9, thus referring to his seeking to visit, not to his seeking God to witness to his truthfulness. (Eph 1:15-16 - Having heard of your faith, I ceaselessly give thanks, and mention you in my prayers. Php 1:3-4 - I thank God for you, always offering joyful prayers for you all. Col 1:3-4 - We give thanks to God, praying always for you, knowing your faith in Christ and your love for the saints. 1Th 1:2-3 - Always, we give thanks for all of you, making mention in our prayers, always aware of your faithful work, and your labor of love in Christ). All shows Paul to have been singularly devoted to the affairs of God's kingdom on earth. He seeks to find the way to Rome open to him. These prayers stretched over a quarter century before the will of God made his path clear in such fashion as God chose.

 

 

New Thoughts (2/28/01)

Lord, teach me how to pray. There is so much in this short example of proper prayer, that I am rather astounded. We ought to pray prayers of praise to You for the friends You have provided. We ought to pray prayers of thanks to You for the good You do in their lives, as well as our own. We ought to be praying to You constantly on behalf of those we know well, and those we know barely at all. All our prayers ought to be through our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, the One Mediator between man and God. All our conversations ought to begin and end with thanks to You. In all we do, we ought to ask You first, seeking only Your will in the matter before we proceed. Oh Lord, God, I ask through Jesus Christ that You would forgive the many ways I have presumed upon prayer, the many ways I have presumed upon Your grace and mercy, for I see in this that my prayers have been wanting. How often has my flesh risen up in rebellion at the suggestion of seeking Your will in a matter? How often have I dared to believe that my thoughts must be Your thoughts? Lord, I would that I could say that these things are put to an end here and now, and I pray in the name of Your Son that it might be so by Your power. Father God, You have grown me so far in so many areas, and yet it seems that in the most important aspect, I have remained much the same. I pray now for the leaders of Your church, not just those of my own congregation, but those of all the many houses of worship in this area. Lord Jesus, bring a fresh outpouring of Your presence upon the pastors of every church in Lowell that bears Your name. A fresh outpouring of power upon the Presbyterians, the Congregationalists, the Baptists, and the Methodists. A fresh sense of Your holiness upon the Pentecostals and the Charismatics. Barnes has rightly said that "the religious or irreligious influence of a great city will be felt far and wide." I pray this morning, oh God, that You would cause the influence of Lowell to be felt far and wide as a religious influence, as a declaration of Your undeniable holiness, as a never ending celebration of Your presence among Your people. I pray, Lord, that Your presence in this city would be so strongly felt that the lost would be seeking out Your witnesses to tell them how to be saved. I pray that You would shake the temples of false religion in this area until they fall before Your might. I pray that through Your saints You would make evident the foolishness of false religions, that You would lead those who have been caught up in such worship into the light of Your love and truth. Oh God, I thank You, that You have chosen to remind me once more of my need for prayer, for conversation with my God and Savior. Through Christ Jesus, I offer You my thanks for saving me, I offer You my praises for blessing me with such a loving family, with such a powerful ministry to grow in, for raising me up at such a time as this. Lord, make Your will known to me, and teach me to walk in it. In that I will be satisfied. Amen.