Studies in Romans: ALL Y'ALL
Passage: Rom. 1:8-12
Structure:
a. 1:8, I thank God that your faith is proclaimed in
all the world
b. 1:9,
praying without ceasing mentioning you
b’. 1:10, I
pray that I may come to you
a’. 1:11-12,
we may be mutually encouraged, you and me
Important
terms:
Faith is a complicated and very loaded
word in the Bible. On one hand faith needs an object of faith or believes and,
therefore, can be treated as a concept or a set of statements/propositions (cp.
our Creed: I believe…). ON the other hand, the Epistle of James says
that faith without works is dead (James 2:17,19). Also, author of Hebrews says
that faith is not only an acknowledgement of God [as an idea], but an
expectation of relationship (Heb.11:6). Also, if we assume the later date of
writing (see Introduction), the apostle, most likely, addressed the
Romans after the Nero’s attack on Christians. Therefore, faith in the letter
should also assume faithfulness to LORD – reflection of their faith. That’s
what St. Paul could’ve meant when he mentions that their faith is proclaimed in
all the world – burning of Rome was an impactful event for Christian community
of the empire.
When St.
Paul speaks of the world, he uses this word in four different, but not
excluded meanings. The world as it is created by God. That’s what he and St.
John refer to in the context of forgiveness and reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19;
1 John 2:1-2). Second, being a Jew, the apostle might refer to the world of Jewish
settlement – being in the world. This would include Mediterranean territories
and further into the East – Persia etc. Third, the world can be understood as a
Roman empire. Similar to a statement of Jesus who sends His disciples to the
ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The last but not least is the meaning of this
world as an opposition to the world to come. He uses this in Rom. 12:2.
Prayer is a “conversation with God,” but in
the words of the apostle it means an “organized” or liturgical prayer (cp.
Phil. 4:6-7).
By the end
of our passage, we see a Spiritual gift. In the Book of Acts of the
Apostles there is the gift of the Holy Spirit – salvation (Acts 2:38-39).
Toward the end of Romans (12:3-8) and in 1 Corinthians (12-14) St. Paul talks
about a variety of spiritual gifts or gifts of grace. Here he means a very
specific thing – a gift of fellowship that God gives us for mutual
encouragement (1:12).
Commentary: It is very interesting to see how
St. Paul asks God to be his witness. Maybe because at this point of his
life he has no one to rely upon. Or because he appeals to the highest authority
– God Himself. In a sense he exhibits a godly habit, being in Christ, who swore
by Himself (cp. Gen. 22:16).
Gospel – is a message of good news; both
for the [repenting] sinners, and a comfort to believers (cp. John 20:30-31).
Obviously, Paul writes to the believers, calling them “brothers.” He will use
the word throughout the Epistle applying both meanings. For example, Rom. 1:16 talks
about the Gospel as a power of God for salvation. Yet, here he means it in the
second way – support and comfort of believers through mutual encouragement.
Importance
of mutual encouragement. God made us as social beings because we are patterned in His image and
likeness. God is three in one, and we need each other: to correct if needed
(Pr. 27:17; Mt. 18:15-18) or to encourage (cp. Heb. 10:24-25). The word for
encouragement is related to comfort/help provided to us by the Holy Spirit (cp.
John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-10).
Book of
Concord: 1:12 –
Smalcald Articles IV. Luther lists the ways how Gospel comes to us: preaching
of the Gospel, Baptism, Sacrament of the Altar, Office of the Keys (Confession
and Absolution), and mutual conversation. That’s where Luther refers to our
passage.
Hymnal:
LSB 649 – Blest Be the Tie that Binds.
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