Romans 1:8-17
The Epistle to the Romans was written from Corinth by an amanuensis named Tertius, at Paul’s dictation. It was sent by Phoebe, a deaconess, who was journeying to Rome. The Christians at Rome were Jews and Gentiles, the latter predominating. It is not known who first preached the gospel at Rome, but it is probable that after the day of Pentecost some of the Christians went to the imperial capital and set up the first church there. It is evident from chapter 25 that many of the members at that time at Rome were Paul’s personal friends. Paul had not visited Rome when he wrote this letter.
One of the first things Paul said in his letter to the Romans was, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you.” It is a good thing when we can thank God for people. It shows that they are a comfort to us. We are not ashamed of them. They are not a burden or a perplexity to us. Some people are. There often are Church members for whom the minister cannot give thanks. They do not live so as to honour God and adorn the Church. Are we living so that our friends, our teachers and pastors and others can give thanks for us and for our noble, beautiful life?
The reason for Paul’s thanksgiving was stated, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” It was not their wealth, their power, their fine talents, their large business, their beautiful homes, their princely entertainments that were proclaimed everywhere. There are people living now who are known the world over as millionaires, as great merchants, as brilliant statesmen, as eloquent orators, as owners of railroads. This is one kind of fame. This is the fame many people seek to win, ofttimes selling even their own souls to win it. But there are others in our own day whose faith is known everywhere. There are missionaries, or godly pastors, or men and women who have given up their lives to the service of Christ and are so blessing the world by their ministry that far and near their names are spoken with love and reverence. This is by far the worthier fame.
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