That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Paul longed to see the believers in Rome to impart some spiritual gift so that they might be established, and to be comforted together with them by mutual faith. That longing sprang from thankfulness to God through Jesus Christ because their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world.
Shared faith brings mutual comfort, with Paul's faith strengthening the Roman believers and their faith strengthening him. Faith and gospel hope strengthen both the one giving comfort and the one receiving it. The Roman Christians' loving welcome assured Paul that he had not been forgotten and encouraged and strengthened him as he arrived in Rome as a prisoner in chains.
Meeting them lifted his sadness, gave him courage, and moved him to thank God, even though he remained a prisoner. The first chapter of Romans outlines the true experience for families who claim to be sons and daughters of God, especially fathers and mothers. The verse joins the call for fathers and mothers to seek the Lord and awaken to their responsibilities in home life.
That home work has been greatly neglected in the churches and cannot be neglected without guilt. The verse joins the charge for those whose names are on the church record but who fail to labor together with God to meet their accountability as faithful, exemplary believers. They are to obey the truth in righteousness and become cleansed from every kind of iniquity. Mere knowledge of the truth and supposed belief do not cleanse, but the truth believed sanctifies the heart through sanctifying grace in the home and is shown in works rather than denied in works.
Paul longed to see the believers in Rome to impart some spiritual gift so that they might be established, and to be comforted together with them by mutual faith. That longing sprang from thankfulness to God through Jesus Christ because their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world.
Shared faith brings mutual comfort, with Paul's faith strengthening the Roman believers and their faith strengthening him. Faith and gospel hope strengthen both the one giving comfort and the one receiving it. The Roman Christians' loving welcome assured Paul that he had not been forgotten and encouraged and strengthened him as he arrived in Rome as a prisoner in chains.
Meeting them lifted his sadness, gave him courage, and moved him to thank God, even though he remained a prisoner. The first chapter of Romans outlines the true experience for families who claim to be sons and daughters of God, especially fathers and mothers. The verse joins the call for fathers and mothers to seek the Lord and awaken to their responsibilities in home life.
That home work has been greatly neglected in the churches and cannot be neglected without guilt. The verse joins the charge for those whose names are on the church record but who fail to labor together with God to meet their accountability as faithful, exemplary believers. They are to obey the truth in righteousness and become cleansed from every kind of iniquity. Mere knowledge of the truth and supposed belief do not cleanse, but the truth believed sanctifies the heart through sanctifying grace in the home and is shown in works rather than denied in works.