Romans 1:11-13
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul’s desire to impart a "spiritual gift" isn’t about him giving something to the Romans, but about the Holy Spirit working through him to strengthen them. This humility is further seen in his modest phrasing, using "some spiritual gift" and the passive "that you may be established," showing he’s a mere instrument in God’s hands.
Paul is explaining the deep desire he has to visit the believers in Rome. He expresses his longing not for his own benefit, but so that he might impart some spiritual gift to them, which in turn would strengthen them in their faith. This desire to personally connect and build them up directly precedes his explanation of how the gospel itself confirms and strengthens believers.
Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome, not just to perform amazing feats, but to be with them. What does he mean by 'spiritual gift' here?
Paul uses the phrase 'some spiritual gift' with profound humility. While the apostles certainly had miraculous gifts, Paul's primary desire for the Romans wasn't necessarily a flashy display of power.
A Humble Offering
Instead, he speaks of sharing something that flows from his own spiritual life, empowered by the Holy Spirit within him. This gift is the very fruit of his faith and experience, something that can only be truly conveyed through personal presence and connection. It's about the richness of his spiritual consciousness being shared.
Strengthening Through Relationship
This isn't about Paul giving people supernatural abilities out of thin air. It's about him ministering to them through preaching, teaching, and the simple, powerful act of fellowship. He saw his ministry itself as a conduit for God's grace, a way to strengthen and confirm believers in the Gospel. His presence was a gift that God would use to build them up.
Paul calls the gift he wishes to impart 'spiritual.' Why is this distinction so important, and who is really doing the establishing?
When Paul refers to a 'spiritual gift,' he's emphasizing that its source isn't himself, but the Holy Spirit working through him. He sees his own spiritual life and ministry not as something he created, but as a result of God's Spirit at work within him.
The Spirit's Ministry
This means that any instruction, comfort, or strengthening he could offer the Romans was ultimately a gracious working of the Spirit. Paul was a vessel, an 'organ' through which the Spirit operated. This perspective keeps the focus firmly on God's sovereignty and power.
Divine Establishment
Understand the original words
charisma · Greek Noun
A grace-gift (charism) bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon believers for the edification and building up of the church body.
stērizō · Greek Verb
To make firm, establish, or confirm someone in their resolve, faith, or spiritual maturity.
symparakaleō · Greek Verb
The state of being cheered, comforted, or emboldened in one’s walk with God through fellowship and shared testimony.
pistis · Greek Noun
The divinely granted conviction and trust in God’s character and promises; the means by which one enters into a relationship with Christ.
Paul's desire to visit Rome and impart spiritual gifts stemmed from his extensive ministry experience, particularly in large, diverse cities. He saw his apostolic role as essential for confirming believers in the gospel, and his personal visit was intended to be more impactful than letters alone.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
During his time in Corinth, Paul established a significant church and gained experience ministering to diverse groups of people. This period likely solidified his understanding of the church's needs and the role of spiritual gifts.
c. AD 52-56
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spent an extended period in Ephesus, a major Roman city, further developing his apostolic ministry and writing letters to various churches. His ministry there would have continued to shape his pastoral insights.
c. AD 57— this verse
Writing of Romans from Corinth
Paul writes the Epistle to the Romans from Corinth, likely during his third missionary journey. He is preparing for a trip to Jerusalem and hopes to then travel to Rome.
c. AD 57
Paul's Planned Journey to Rome
Paul expresses his long-held desire to visit Rome, not just to see the believers there, but to impart spiritual gifts and strengthen them in their faith.
This passage discusses spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, directly echoing Paul's desire to impart such gifts for strengthening the church, as mentioned in Romans 1:11.
Ephesians 4:11-12Here, Paul explains that Christ gave gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, which aligns with Paul's goal in Romans 1:11 to impart spiritual gifts to establish the believers.
1 Thessalonians 3:2Paul mentions sending Timothy to 'establish you and exhort you concerning your faith,' mirroring his own longing in Romans 1:11 to impart spiritual gifts 'to strengthen you.'
Acts 14:22After Paul and Barnabas had appointed elders, they 'strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to the faith,' which is a practical example of the 'establishing' that Paul desired for the Roman believers through spiritual impartation.
ellicottRomans 1:11: "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"
(11) That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift. —Such gifts as would naturally flow to one Christian (or to many collectively) from the personal presence and warm sympathy of another; in St. Paul’s case, heightened in proportion to the wealth and elevation of his own spiritual consciousness and life. His head and his heart alike are full to overflowing, and he longs to di…
barnesRomans 1:11: "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"
For I long to see you - I earnestly desire to see you; compare Romans 15:23 , Romans 15:32 . That I may impart - That I may "give," or communicate to you. Some spiritual gift - Some have understood this as referring to "miraculous gifts," which it was supposed the apostles had the power of conferring on others. But this interpretation is forced and unnatural. There is no insta…
Paul’s desire to impart a "spiritual gift" isn’t about him giving something to the Romans, but about the Holy Spirit working through him to strengthen them. This humility is further seen in his modest phrasing, using "some spiritual gift" and the passive "that you may be established," showing he’s a mere instrument in God’s hands.
Paul is explaining the deep desire he has to visit the believers in Rome. He expresses his longing not for his own benefit, but so that he might impart some spiritual gift to them, which in turn would strengthen them in their faith. This desire to personally connect and build them up directly precedes his explanation of how the gospel itself confirms and strengthens believers.
Paul is explaining the deep desire he has to visit the believers in Rome. He expresses his longing not for his own benefit, but so that he might impart some spiritual gift to them, which in turn would strengthen them in their faith. This desire to personally connect and build them up directly precedes his explanation of how the gospel itself confirms and strengthens believers.
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The goal is for the Romans to be 'established' – confirmed and strengthened in their faith and Christian life. While Paul is the instrument God uses, the power to establish comes from God alone. This is why Paul speaks modestly, as the 'passive' voice in grammar implies God's action, not his own. He's a helper in God's work of building them up.
adelphos · Greek Noun
A term of endearment and spiritual equality used among followers of Christ, denoting their shared identity as children of God.
karpos · Greek Noun
Refers to the fruit of evangelism or the conversion of souls to Christ, often used metaphorically for the results of apostolic ministry.
ethnos · Greek Noun
Refers to all non-Jewish people, the nations of the world, who are the objects of God’s redemptive mission beyond the covenant people of Israel.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Though his initial plans to visit Rome freely were delayed by his arrest, Paul eventually arrived in Rome under house arrest. He used this time to minister to those who came to him, including many who were perhaps the very Roman Christians he had intended to visit earlier.
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often int…" — Paul’s desire to impart a "spiritual gift" isn’t about him giving something to the Romans, but about the Holy Spirit working through him to strengthen them. This humility is further seen in his m…
