Romans 1:8

“ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ on account of you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ”

The apostle knows that there is no more genuine proof of sincere affection than intercession; hence he puts his prayer for them first. The word πρῶτον, in the first place (especially with the particle μέν), leads us to expect a secondly (ὲπειτα δέ). As this word does not occur in the sequel, some have thought it necessary to give to πρῶτον the meaning of above all. This is unnecessary. The second idea the apostle had in view is really found in Romans 1:10, in the prayer which he offers to God that he may be allowed soon to go to Rome. This prayer is the natural supplement of the thanksgiving. Only the construction has led the apostle not to express it in the strictly logical form: in the second place.

In the words “ my God,” he sums up all his personal experiences of God's fatherly help, in the various circumstances of his life, and particularly in those of his apostleship. Herein there is a particular revelation which every believer receives for himself alone, and which he sums up when he calls God his God; comp. the phrase God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, and more especially the words Genesis 28:20-21. Paul's thanksgiving is presented through the mediation of Jesus Christ; he conveys it through Christ as head of the church, and more immediately his own. Meyer thinks that Christ is rather mentioned here as the author of the work for which Paul gives thanks; but this is not the natural meaning of the phrase: I thank through; comp. besides, Romans 8:34. The propagation of the gospel at Rome appears to Paul a service rendered to him personally, as apostle of the Gentiles.

The phrase: on account of you all, seems a little exaggerated, since he does not know them all personally. But would there be a human being at Rome gained for Christ, known or unknown, whose faith was not a subject of joy to Paul! The preposition ὑπέρ, in behalf of, which is found in the T. R. (with the latest Mjj.), would express more affection than περί, on account of; but the latter is more simple, and occurs in some Mjj. of the three families. What increases Paul's joy is, that not only do they believe themselves, but their faith, the report of which is spread everywhere, opens a way for the gospel to other countries; comp. a similar passage addressed to the Thessalonians (1Th 1:8). The ὅτι, because, serves to bring into relief a special feature in the cause of joy already indicated; comp. 1 Corinthians 1:5 (the ὅτι in its relation to Romans 1:4). The phrase: throughout the whole world, is hyperbolical; it alludes to the position of Rome as the capital of the world; comp. Colossians 1:6.