Romans 1:8-13, Traits of Biblical Love
Romans 1:8-13 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Paul had a deep concern for God’s children even in far away lands. He had not personally met the believers in Rome yet he loved them dearly in the Lord. He was glad that the Christians in Rome were strong in their faith in a largely pagan environment. He demonstrated his love for them by praying for them. This is an example worthy of our emulation. He was not just concerned with the believers in his physical proximity but those in far away places. Such was the extent of his love for the brethren.
And this love caused him to make plans to visit them. He had their spiritual well-being in his heart. And he wanted to do something to enhance their spiritual life. He longed to visit them personally to help establish their faith. He sought God in prayer that he may make the journey to Rome. This burden of Paul to share his spiritual knowledge and wisdom and apostleship with the Christians in Rome he saw was mutual for he saw that he would in turn be strengthened by his fellowship with the believers in Rome.
He hoped that there will be more converts added to God’s kingdom by his involvement with them whether it is through this letter or his personal presence with them later. We can observe Paul as a man on fire for God. How is it that God’s love so abound in his life? He must be a man living in close communion with God. What a person to know! We shall endeavour to know this man of God better through his writing that has been preserved for our spiritual advancement. Amen.