Romans 1:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—

NIV: I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--

NASB: For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

CSB: For I want very much to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,

NLT: For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

KJV: For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

NKJV: For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

Paul has made clear in the previous verses that he really wants to come to Rome to see his readers in person. He has submitted this desire to God in regular, ongoing prayer, waiting to see if it is God's will (Romans 1:8–10).

Now he describes why he is so eager to come and visit the Christians in Rome. He cares about them, and he wants to bring to them a spiritual gift of some kind that will strengthen them. This likely means that Paul wants to come and exercise his spiritual gifts of evangelism and teaching to help them to be stronger in Christ. Or perhaps he means to give them some kind of supernatural blessing that will help to make them stronger.

Paul seems to be aware that he has some unique ability that could build up the Christians in Rome in some way if only he could see them face to face. His motives are unselfish, although he will go on to say in the following verse that he knows them and they would be able to encourage each other.

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.

Romans 1 begins with Paul's introduction of himself and his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After telling the Christians in Rome that he is eager to come see them and preach the gospel there, Paul declares that the gospel is God's power to save everyone who believes in Jesus. We need to be saved, because our sin has earned God's wrath. As a whole, humanity has rejected God as creator and provider. We worship creation instead of Him. In response, He has given us over to the full indulgence of our sinful desires. We are guilty and deserve His judgment.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 4/29/2024 1:39:25 PM