A Life of Prayer and Service, Part 3
Notes
Transcript
A Life of Service
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.
Impart—spiritual gifts can be given through the laying on of hands (1Tim. 4.14
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Not essential: in Acts 10, no hands were laid but the Spirit was given.
This does point to the normalization of authority in the Church
What does establish mean? στηρίζω, to cause to be inwardly firm or committed
APP: Spiritual gifts are essential for a well-functioning body. They are not something we are encouraged to argue over. We are forced to take certain doctrinal positions, but we are forced to do so so that we can then live out the Spiritual life.
What was the spiritual gift?
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
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.
Paul's “spiritual gift” in this context 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 specific gift is broader: the strengthening of the church through apostolic presence and shared faith.
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.
Cortin was flashy and fetid. It was super performative and super corrupt. What paul is going after is the, 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.
