Romans 1:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

NIV: that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

NASB: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

CSB: that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

NLT: When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

KJV: That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

NKJV: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

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.

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 4/27/2024 6:28:20 AM