Why Did Paul Want to See the Christians in Rome?
Thinking about Romans 1:9-12.
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, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (Romans 1:9-12)
Paul was constantly praying for the church in Rome. He continued to ask God for a way or opportunity to come to the Christians in Rome.
Why did Paul want to see the Christians in Rome?
To give them something.
Paul wrote, “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.”
There are different thoughts as to what Paul meant by this spiritual gift. Here are a few of the various opinions.
The miraculous gifts given by the laying on of an apostle’s hands.
The teaching of the word of God.
The presence of an apostle of Jesus Christ among them.
Personally, I’m inclined to agree that the “spiritual gift” Paul spoke of may include a combination of these thoughts.
He may have in mind some miraculous ability. It has been suggested that the Romans had no such gifts but this is untrue - see Romans 12:6 where we read of prophets. I’m sure his words include the miraculous but they need not be restricted to this. He goes on to give us an explanatory clause (verse 12) which suggests a more general idea of common-giving. A sharing of faith, words of edification, deeds of mutual upbuilding. - McGuiggan, Romans, 62
Whatever the spiritual gift was or included, Paul clearly believed it would benefit the Christians in Rome. When Paul thought about the Christians in Rome, he first thought about what he could do to help them.
To receive something from them.
Paul also let the church in Rome know that they could offer something to him as well. He wrote, “That I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:12).
While Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ and had authority - he didn’t act superior to his brothers and sisters in Christ. He was very transparent with them - “I need the encouragement that you can give me.”
Paul knew they could strengthen and encourage each other in their service to the Lord.
When we consider our own relationship to the Lord’s church - do we consider what we can give to our brothers and sisters in Christ? Sometimes people are only interested in what they can get out of the church - Paul first thought about what he could give.
However, Paul wasn’t too proud to admit that he also needed something from his brethren. Just as they needed encouragement - he too needed to be encouraged. May we never be too proud to admit that we need help and strength from our brethren.