A Life of Prayer and Service

A Life of Prayer

8

Why is it “my God”? God’s relationship with his people must always be personal. Notice, however, that Paul’s God is thanked through Jesus Christ.

 “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people,” is the most comprehensive of all promises.11 Hodge, C. (1882). A commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (New Edition, p. 35). Louis Kregel.

Ex. 6.7, Lev. 26.12

This is part of the way we see a fundamental unity to all of God’s dealings. The only way someone can truly be made part of God’s people is by God’s salvific mercy.

Why does he thank God “through Jesus Christ”? All of our prayer is through Christ. It is the only way we can be heard by God: because Christ lives to make intercession for us.

διά + genitive, signaling means or instrument

There is no access to God apart from the Son. This reflects Jesus’ own words:

(John 14:6

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:13

John 14:13 KJV 1900

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

(John 16:26

John 16:26 KJV 1900

26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

And confirmed in Hebrews:

(Hebrews 4:14–16 “14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Why does he thank God for the the Romans?

their faith is being proclaimed in the whole world

What is their faith? Faith here is a metonym: a part standing in for the whole. “Faith” here means all that they believed about God. The Entire thing.

What does it mean to be proclaimed? well known

What was “the whole world”? the known world, i.e. Roman empire and its borders. Think of that spread.

App: you thank God for his gifts. The very fact the Romans and you believe is a gift.

9

What is the connection between these verses? He mentions them in his prayers in two ways: thanks and asking God to let him come to them.

“Martus” is first here. Why? He is emphasizing God’s witnessing role. He is answering the charge of why he has seemingly avoided them, and he calls on God to back him up. He has been asking the Lord for the chance to come to the capital (vv. 9-10), to come to this influence Church.

What does “serve” mean? worship/render priestly service

Hebrew: worship and serve are the same thing. Dan. 7.14

Daniel 7:14 KJV 1900

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

What does “ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου” mean as a modifier here?

This is a locative dative of sphere—describing the inner realm in which Paul’s service happens. Not ritualistic or outward religion.

But sincere, internal, spiritual devotion.

It parallels Jesus’ words in John 4:24: “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24 KJV 1900

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Our Spirit must be sancitifed by God’s Spirit. “Paul’s own spirit has been caught up in God’s Spirit, and he now serves the gospel “in” and “by means of” that transformed spirit.11 Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 45). Zondervan Publishing House.

What does “ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ” mean as a modifier here?

This is another locative dative, but this time with a missional or ministerial emphasis. Paul’s sphere of priestly service is:

Gospel-centered: His worship isn’t confined to a building, it’s carried out in the ministry of proclaiming Christ.

Christ-centered: “His Son” centers the entire gospel message—Paul’s ministry is not general piety but explicit Christ-proclamation.

Moo (NICNT) puts it well: “Paul’s priestly service to God is carried out by his proclamation of the gospel.”

So together, these two datives tell us: “Paul serves God from the depths of his inner being, and he does it by giving his life to the gospel of Jesus.”

10

What does “always” mean here? Seems self explanatory. Paul had an amazing prayer list, it would seem. Paul even uses two words “without ceasing” and “always” to show how often he is thank God for the Romans and asking God if he can come to them. Cf 1 Thess. 1.2, 1 Cor. 1.14, Phm.4

APP: His thanks was constant. This is a discipline. This is something that takes practice and work.

What does he ask for in his prayers, while he thanks God for the Romans? That, by God’s will, he may succeed in coming to the Romans.

This implies he has wanted and repeatedly tried to come to Rome. It was his intention. There was nothing wrong in his making plans and acting on them. But he was submissive to Gods’ will.

What is God’s will here? This is his active will. God’s desires, the plan he brings about in time.

When the Bible talks about God’s will, it can mean two different things. One is what God wants us to do His commands. That’s called His preceptive will think of the Ten Commandments, or love your neighbor.

The other is what God plans to do what will happen no matter what. That’s called His decretive will. It’s His plan for history, unfolding exactly as He wants, even if we can’t see it yet.

Think of the story of Joseph. God commands us to love one another. When the brothers sold Joseph into slaveyr, they were disobeying God’s precepts. They broke his commands. And yet Joseph, at the end, says it was God’s plan. Gen. 50.20, Psalm105.16-17, Eph.1.11

When Paul prays that he might come to Rome by God’s will, he isn’t saying, ‘If I obey enough, it’ll work out.’ He’s saying, ‘God alone decides my steps.’ Paul trusts that God’s will—His unstoppable plan—is what will open the way, not Paul’s effort or strategy. That’s why he keeps praying and waiting.

This is the same man who told the Corinthians, ‘I will come to you if the Lord wills’ (1 Cor. 4:19). Not because he was indecisive—but because he trusted in a sovereign God who controls even plane tickets and travel delays.

APP: “Let’s say you want to take your family to the beach. You plan, you save money, you request time off. But then the car breaks down, or a family member gets sick. Did you break God’s command? No. You weren’t sinning. But it still didn’t happen. Why? Because God’s secret plan—His decretive will—said, ‘Not this time.’ That’s what Paul’s saying here. ‘I’m praying hard, and I’m planning right—but at the end of the day, I trust God’s plan, not mine.’

We live in a world where being “in control” is the mark of success. But Paul reminds us: even the great apostle didn’t get to make his own schedule. His attitude wasn’t frustration or despair—it was patient submission. Application: You can stop trying to force your life to work out. That job you didn’t get? That door that slammed shut? That illness, or delay, or family struggle? Paul teaches us not to get bitter, but to trust that God’s 'No' is just as loving as His 'Yes.' Challenge your people: “Have you been walking around frustrated because life isn’t going to plan? Maybe it’s not your plan that’s the problem—but your attitude toward God’s better one.”

Paul didn’t stop planning. He prayed “always” to go to Rome. He didn’t let “God’s sovereignty” make him passive. He made plans. He just held them with open hands. Application: Make your plans. Apply for that job. Save for that house. Set that goal. But every day, remind your heart: “This will only happen if God wills.” Concrete action step: “Before you open your calendar app, pray: ‘Lord, let Your will be done. Not just what I want, but what You know is best.’ That’s not weakness—that’s biblical wisdom.”

Summary: Many Christians see God like a cosmic cop—mostly there to catch them messing up. Paul saw Him as something more: a King who writes the story, down to the chapter headings and footnotes. Application: When you think about God, don’t just picture Him shaking His head at sin. See Him as a Father who opens and closes doors for your good and His glory. Trust that He is guiding even the traffic jams, job interviews, and interruptions. “God is not just watching your life. He’s writing it.”

A Life of Service

11-12

This answers the question of “why” Paul prayed to come to Rome. he longed to see them. Why?

That he would impart to the romans a Spiritual gift.

What does establish mean? στηρίζω, to cause to be inwardly firm or committed

What was the spiritual gift?

It seemed to be the encouragement the Romans and Paul would receive from one another’s faith. Paul explains his own words: “that is” (τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν). So what is the “spiritual gift”? Mutual encouragement through faith. It is a clarifying restatement. 

Paul's “spiritual gift” is not primarily a supernatural empowerment, but the mutual upbuilding that happens when believers share their faith, hope, and presence with each other. This doesn’t deny that Paul believed in and practiced gifts like prophecy or healing. But here, the gift is broader: the strengthening of the church through apostolic presence and shared faith. This is in harmony with Paul's teaching elsewhere: Compare:

Romans 12:6–8 – spiritual gifts like teaching, mercy, and exhortation are relational and edifying.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Ephesians 4:11–12 – gifts exist “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

So in Romans 1:11–12, Paul is modeling how spiritual gifts (in this case, the gift of his faith, his teaching, and his fellowship) are relationally driven, not individually flashy.

App: Paul longed to see the Roman believers—not to dominate a pulpit, but to share in their faith. He doesn’t say, “I long to preach to you” or “I long to lead you,” but “I long to see you.” That tells us something important: Paul believed that normal Christians had something to give him. That includes you. The “spiritual gift” Paul wanted to impart was mutual encouragement in the faith. The Greek word χάρισμα πνευματικόν (spiritual gift) is clarified in the next verse: “that we may be mutually encouraged by one another’s faith.” This is not a flashy supernatural moment—it’s the quiet, steady strengthening that happens when believers share their trust in Christ with one another. Fellowship is not casual—it is spiritual. Paul saw Christian community as a place where God works through His people to comfort, exhort, and edify one another. When you show up to church, you are not just filling a seat—you are bringing a grace-filled presence that God can use. Your faith matters—even if you’re not “up front.” If you’ve walked with Christ through suffering… if you’ve ever tasted forgiveness… if God has held you together through tears… then you have something someone else needs. That lived faith is a gift you can give, even if you never teach a class or sing a solo. The church grows strong through ordinary encouragement. Paul uses the word παρακληθῶμεν—mutual encouragement—the same root word used for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. When believers encourage each other, God is working. This is not soft; it’s supernatural. God’s design is that every believer contributes to the health of the church. You are not a passive observer in the body of Christ. You are an active participant. Your faith is not private—it’s a gift God intends to share with others. When you give it away through encouragement, listening, prayer, or testimony, the whole church is strengthened. Challenge: What if God has placed someone in your life this week who needs your faith to keep going? Don’t wait to be perfect. Don’t wait to be trained. Just show up in faith, speak of Christ, and watch how He strengthens others through you.