Romans 1:8-15 NIV
Paul's Longing to Visit Rome 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
First of all, I would like to praise God for all my friends. I thank Him for putting precious people in my life and I will pray for each and every one of them. My brothers and sisters in Christ prayed for me when I went to Ukraine on a mission trip. Their prayers were very much needed and I felt their prayers when I was away. They have gone through many journeys with me - the good and the bad. They have encouraged me to keep the faith and press on. I pray the same for them. Praise God!
Paul thanked his brothers and sisters for their persistence in preaching the Gospel. He was glad that he was hearing all over the world the testimonies of their faith in Jesus. In expressing his desire to visit them in Rome, he tells them that he prays for them constantly. Prayers are lifted up by him asking God to open up a way for him to visit there if it is His will for him to go. Paul also wanted to let them know that he had not been neglecting them but there were some things that hindered him coming to them that were not his fault. He was ready and willing to preach the Gospel to them in Rome as soon as God would open the door for him to do so. He had to do it in God's timing so the fruit of the ministry would be produced. Paul was to preach to both the Greeks and the Romans. This means he was to preach to every class of people. Rome was the center of the world and many different classes of people lived there. Paul wanted to impart spiritual gifts. The purpose of fellowship of believers is to unite them as a ministry community. All believers are called to minister at different levels. Believers need one another to encourage and even correct each other. Eventually Paul did get to Rome but not as he expected. Read the Word and continue to study Paul's journeys.
