What does Romans 1:12 mean?
Paul cares deeply for the people to whom he is writing this letter. He has expressed his deep desire to travel to Rome and visit them in person. In part, he wants to help strengthen them by giving to them, or serving them with, some kind of spiritual gift (Romans 1:11).Now Paul acknowledges that he knows the encouragement would be mutual. Both they and he would end up being encouraged by each other's faith. Trusting God can sometimes feel like a hard and lonely road. It is not meant to be walked alone. Seeing how others trust God encourages and challenges us. It reconfirms what we know to be true and helps to renew our commitment to continue in the "obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5).
This is one reason the writer of Hebrews put it this way: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24–25).
Paul's meeting with the Christians in Rome will have to wait, however.
Romans 1:8–15 contains Paul's description to the Roman Christians of his longing to travel to Rome to be with them. He prays continually that he may be allowed by God to come. He wants to give to them a spiritual gift and for them to mutually encourage each other's faith. Part of his reason for wanting to come to them is that his mission in life is to carry the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, many of whom are represented in Rome.
Romans 1 introduces Paul and his purpose in writing this letter to the Christians in Rome. As servant and apostle of Jesus, Paul's mission in life is to preach the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, both Jews and Gentiles. He hopes to do so in Rome soon. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. It is God's power for the salvation of all people by faith in Christ. We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead. In response, God has given us over to indulge in all kinds of sinful practices that lead to misery now and His angry judgment later.
