that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul's desire isn't just to strengthen the Roman believers; it's a deeply reciprocal longing. He writes that he may be "mutually encouraged," highlighting that he anticipates receiving as much as he gives, finding strength and comfort through their shared faith. This reveals a beautiful truth: even an apostle expected to be uplifted by the faith of others, no matter their level of spiritual maturity.
that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul's desire to visit the Roman Christians isn't just about him imparting spiritual gifts; he's also humbly eager to be encouraged and strengthened by their faith, just as they will be by his. This verse reveals that Christian fellowship is a two-way street, where even an apostle can find spiritual uplift and mutual encouragement from the community he serves. He expresses this longing to see them and experience this shared spiritual vitality, highlighting the interconnectedness of believers.
Ever feel like your faith journey is a solo mission? Paul reminds us that connection is key.
Paul's desire to visit the Roman believers wasn't just about him sharing spiritual gifts; it was deeply relational. He wanted to be 'comforted together with you.' The original Greek word here carries a rich sense of mutual encouragement, a shared experience of spiritual strengthening. It wasn't a one-way street where Paul, the seasoned apostle, would simply impart wisdom to a less experienced church. Instead, he anticipated being uplifted by their faith, just as they would be by his. This highlights a beautiful truth: the Christian life thrives on community, where even the most mature believers can receive as much as they give.
Why would a towering figure like the Apostle Paul be so concerned with not appearing arrogant?
Paul’s careful wording in this verse is a masterclass in humility. He was acutely aware of his apostolic authority, but he didn’t want that to create distance. The phrase 'that is' (or 'this means') acts as a gentle rephrasing of his longing to see them. He corrects any potential perception that he’s coming solely to impart gifts and establish them, emphasizing instead the mutual benefit. By placing 'yours and mine' in that order, and by using the word for 'encouraged' which implies a shared experience, Paul models a posture of genuine connection. He understood that true spiritual growth and community are built on recognizing that no one has arrived and that every believer, no matter their spiritual maturity, has something valuable to contribute.
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Understand the original words
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.
This passage highlights the interdependence of the body of Christ, emphasizing that 'parts should have equal concern for each other' and that when one part suffers, all suffer, and when one part rejoices, all rejoice, directly paralleling the mutual encouragement Paul desires in Romans 1:12.
Hebrews 10:24-25These verses urge believers to 'consider how to stir up one another to love and good works' and 'not neglect to meet together,' reflecting the core idea of mutual spiritual uplift and shared faith that Paul expresses.
1 Thessalonians 3:2Paul sends Timothy to 'strengthen and encourage you in your faith,' showing a pattern of apostles seeking to build up believers, but the context of Romans 1:12 reveals this is a two-way street, as Paul also seeks encouragement FROM the believers.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4This passage speaks of God as the 'Father of mercies who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,' illustrating the principle of shared comfort and encouragement that flows from God through believers.
Philippians 2:1-2Paul's plea for unity and shared purpose in Philippians, where he asks believers to 'make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind,' echoes the spirit of mutual encouragement and shared faith found in Romans 1:12.
gillRomans 1:12: "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
That is, that I may be comforted together with you,.... This is a further explanation of his view, in being desirous of coming to them, and preaching: the Gospel among them; for what makes for establishment, makes for comfort; and what makes for comfort, makes for establishment; and when souls are established, ministers are comforted as well as they; and whilst ministers are imparting their…
pulpitRomans 1:12: "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
Verse 12. - That is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by each other's faith, yours and mine. The spirit of delicate courtesy here evinced, in addressing persons over whom one loss of a Christian gentleman than St. Paul was might have assumed a lordly tone, is apparent elsewhere in his Epistles (cf. Romans 15:15; Romans 16:19; 2 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 3:1, seq.; 2…
Paul's desire isn't just to strengthen the Roman believers; it's a deeply reciprocal longing. He writes that he may be "mutually encouraged," highlighting that he anticipates receiving as much as he gives, finding strength and comfort through their shared faith. This reveals a beautiful truth: even an apostle expected to be uplifted by the faith of others, no matter their level of spiritual maturity.
Paul's desire to visit the Roman Christians isn't just about him imparting spiritual gifts; he's also humbly eager to be encouraged and strengthened by their faith, just as they will be by his. This verse reveals that Christian fellowship is a two-way street, where even an apostle can find spiritual uplift and mutual encouragement from the community he serves. He expresses this longing to see them and experience this shared spiritual vitality, highlighting the interconnectedness of believers.
Paul's desire to visit the Roman Christians isn't just about him imparting spiritual gifts; he's also humbly eager to be encouraged and strengthened by their faith, just as they will be by his. This verse reveals that Christian fellowship is a two-way street, where even an apostle can find spiritual uplift and mutual encouragement from the community he serves. He expresses this longing to see them and experience this shared spiritual vitality, highlighting the interconnectedness of believers.
"that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine." — Paul's desire isn't just to strengthen the Roman believers; it's a deeply reciprocal longing. He writes that he may be "mutually encouraged," highlighting that he anticipates receiving as much as he…
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Last reviewed October 2026