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Romans Study 1:11-13


"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith.  
 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles." Romans 1:11-13

What desire Paul shows in this passage for his church body.  He writes so transparently so we get to feel his heart and love.  He wants to impart a spiritual gift, like the kind we see in 1 Co. 1:7 and 12:1-31 so that these spiritual children of his can be strong and established.  He wants to see them nurtured and strong.

" —To the end you may be established. Having commended their flourishing he here expresses his desire of their establishment, that as they grew upward in the branches they might grow downward in the root. The best saints, while they are in such a shaking world as this, have need to be more and more established; and spiritual gifts are of special use for our establishment."  Matthew Henry Commentary

"To be mutually encouraged by each others faith!" 

This reminds me of those precious times when we have worked hard, together as a family toward a goal.  Or of meal times where we communicate our love, share stories and time spent affirming each other.  Enjoying each other.  Celebrating each other.  Building each other up.

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