Paul Will Visit Rome Series

1:8

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

First order of business: thank you, God, for the Roman church. Note he is not thanking the church, flattering them. He is thanking God. But it is Paul’s way, in most every letter except to the Galatians, to find something positive to say to his addressee. Now, the Galatians were a different story. They were falling away from Christ, going back to Moses. They needed no commendation but a good wake-up call. He launches right into the letter.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul thanks God for the gifts God has given to that church. In 2 Corinthians, thanks for praying for me. In Ephesians, Paul says he never stopped giving thanks for this church. Philippians: I thank God on every remembrance of you. Colossians. Since we heard of your faith, we always pray and thank God for you. The Thessalonians, likewise, and in the second letter to them, thanks that their faith is growing. His remembrances of Timothy also caused him to be thankful. Same formula to Philemon.

In Galatians, after introducing himself and Jesus, he starts out, “I marvel you are already turning away from the faith!”

Again, Hebrews differs greatly in these opening comments.

Paul was using a time-honored way of dealing with people. Let them know they are loved and accepted before you have to tell them some serious things.

Now, why specifically his thankfulness to the Romans? Their faith has been spoken of throughout the whole world! In 16:19, Paul says their obedience is known to all. Notice that faith and obedience go together. Can’t have Bible faith without obedience or Bible obedience without faith.

Macarthur brings out here that many churches are known for their pastor. Or their architecture. Or their stained-glass windows. Or their size. Or

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their wealth. How many churches that you know of are known for their faith?

Throughout the whole world? Hyperbole but true. He would not lie. But consider:

This is Rome. It’s the political center of the world. Other churches would have heard about what was going on in the Roman church. Perhaps persecution was strong here in Nero’s back yard.

Nero had been Emperor for several years [A.D. 54]. That’s the Nero that murdered his own wife and mother, that mercilessly slaughtered Christians, that in AD 64 set the city of Rome on fire and blamed it on the Christians, then persecuted them mercilessly. Reminds one of the barbarity of our own age and of a certain dictator that is now a rock star all over the world, sipping drinks with the Dictator of China while he tries to befriend America’s leadership.

So if Christians are being sought out and persecuted in Rome, though only sporadically at the writing of this letter, surely that news was getting to the rest of the church. Paul says, I thank my God for you, for your faith which has led to your obedience in the midst of these trials.

Helps you to understand the serious nature of Phoebe’s mission (ch. 16:1), to get a letter from Paul to this persecuted church. Imagine sending one of your servant ladies to Pyongyang to get a message to the Christians there.

The danger was not as great as it would become, but Christians were not that popular. And remember there was a strong Jewish presence there too. Rome’s faith in the midst of all its enemies was being spoken of everywhere. Please note that Paul is not being literal but he is being true.

For example, my podcast on sermonaudio is heard around the world! But I challenge you to go to any nation and find someone who has heard my podcast. I have been in many nations, but only by a few people here and a few there. Nothing to write home about.

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Rome’s story had found an audience in many places throughout the Roman world. And its fame would grow when the real persecution set in.

Not to mention the fact that today Paul’s words are literally true!

1:9

“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.”

Macarthur brings out that the Roman church must have had two questions when they received this attention from a great man of God: 1. Why us? 2. Where have you been? He will answer both of those questions in detail. The quick answer: I want to bless you, and I’ve been hindered in my attempts to visit.

God is my witness. Nearly an oath. Not to be used casually, as many do. But Paul had never met the Romans. Yet he tells them that he is praying for them all the time. He wants them to believe this, though it must be hard to believe. Without ceasing. [note that this does not mean 24/7, any more than “pray without ceasing” for us!]