Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

     Paul pays the Romans one of the greatest compliments that could ever be paid to an assembly of believers. He tells them first of all that he is thankful for them. It always nice to be appreciated and to know someone is glad that you are who you are. So his appreciation for them is a compliment in and of itself. It becomes even greater when you see why he is thankful for them: because of their faith.

     This is high praise indeed coming from a man who has faith so strong that he would devote his entire life to preaching the gospel despite persecution at every turn. Paul tells them that it is their faith he is thankful for. Apparantly he is not the only one who has noticed either. Paul also mentions that their faith is an example throughout the world. People were actually talking about the Romans, saying things like, “Those Christians in Rome have great faith. It is amazing what they have gone through and yet they have still stayed strong.”

     We too can be an example of faith. Granted, our intention is to never make our faith external only. It would be wrong for us to be all about appearance. That is what the Pharisees did. Nor should we desire great faith to stroke our own ego. However, if we are of great faith, we are an example to others. We are a source of encouragement in their times of weakness. They know that following God is possible because brother so-and-so has already paved the way. We should aspire to have a faith that encourages and uplifts other, not for our own benefit, but so that we can glorify God both to the world and to the church.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.