Romans 1:8 kjv

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

Romans 1:8 nkjv

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

Romans 1:8 niv

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Romans 1:8 esv

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

Romans 1:8 nlt

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.

Romans 1 verses

Romans 1 8 Meaning

In Romans 1:8, the Apostle Paul begins his letter by expressing heartfelt gratitude to God, offered through the indispensable mediation of Jesus Christ. This profound thankfulness is directed specifically for the believers in Rome, acknowledging their faith, which has become renowned and widely attested throughout the known world. It sets a foundational tone of affirmation and establishes Paul's connection with a church he had not yet visited, validating their spiritual standing.

Romans 1 8 Context

Romans 1:8 stands as the opening substantive declaration of Paul's letter to the church in Rome, following the initial salutation (v. 1-7). It immediately establishes Paul's posture toward his audience: one of thanksgiving and affirmation. This gratitude serves not only as a conventional epistolary opening but also strategically lays a foundation of warmth and common ground before Paul delves into complex theological arguments and potential controversial topics (like the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, and the Law). Historically, the Roman church was likely established by unknown evangelists or early converts returning to the capital, not by Paul himself. Its prominent location in the heart of the Roman Empire meant its spiritual condition, especially its faith, carried significant weight and influence, making its widespread renown genuinely remarkable and worthy of Paul's praise. The verse subtly prefigures the epistle's major themes: the universality of the gospel ("all the world"), salvation through faith, and the glory of God.

Romans 1 8 Word analysis

• First (πρῶτον, prōton): Adverb meaning "firstly" or "first of all." It indicates the priority and initial point of Paul's communication, not necessarily a sequence of points that follow, but rather an emphatic opening statement.
• I thank (εὐχαριστῶ, eucharistō): Derived from eu (good) and charis (grace, gift). This verb signifies to express profound gratitude or give thanks, often implying an act of prayer or worship. It reflects a personal, spiritual disposition.
• my God (τῷ Θεῷ μου, tō Theō mou): Emphasizes Paul's deep, personal relationship with God. This possessive pronoun highlights an intimacy and proprietary spiritual bond in his prayer life.
• through Jesus Christ (διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, dia Iēsou Christou): Highlights the essential mediation of Christ in all Christian interaction with God. All prayers, blessings, and spiritual access to the Father are made possible and acceptable only "through" (Greek: dia) Jesus Christ, underlining His role as the exclusive High Priest and intercessor.
• for all of you (περὶ πάντων ὑμῶν, peri pantōn hymōn): This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of Paul's thanksgiving. It covers every member of the Roman church, regardless of their background (Jew or Gentile), underscoring unity and Paul's care for the entire community.
• because (ὅτι, hoti): A conjunction introducing the reason or cause for Paul's thanksgiving, directly linking his gratitude to the widespread reputation of their faith.
• your faith (ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν, hē pistis hymōn): This is a pivotal term. Pistis (faith) denotes not just intellectual assent but active trust, allegiance, faithfulness, and adherence to Christ and the Gospel. It refers to their demonstrated faithfulness and steadfast belief, not merely a theological doctrine.
• is proclaimed (καταγγέλλεται, katangellētai): A verb in the present passive voice. Katangellō means to declare, proclaim, herald, or announce thoroughly and widely. The passive voice indicates that others are declaring or spreading the news of their faith, testifying to its prominent reputation.
• in all the world (ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ κόσμῳ, en holō tō kosmō): A rhetorical hyperbole indicating "throughout the known world" or the entire Roman Empire (oikoumēnē), not every corner of the globe literally. It signifies the immense reach and strong reputation of the Roman church's faith.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "First, I thank my God": This establishes Paul's primary impulse upon addressing them—gratitude. It shows his priority is acknowledging God's work among them before delivering any instructions or doctrines. The personal "my God" connects his thankfulness to his deep, intimate spiritual life.
• "through Jesus Christ": This is a critical theological statement embedded in the thanksgiving. It underscores that all genuine spiritual connection with God, including prayer and expressions of gratitude, occurs solely by means of and through the person and work of Christ. Christ is the indispensable bridge between God and humanity.
• "for all of you": This unifying phrase emphasizes the collective nature of Paul's thanksgiving, embracing the entire community without distinction. In a letter addressing divisions and diverse groups, this inclusive appreciation is significant.
• "because your faith is proclaimed": This clearly states the object and reason for Paul's thanks: their exemplary and widely known faith. The active demonstration of their belief in their lives, rather than just their doctrinal purity, is what has garnered such a reputation. The passive "is proclaimed" suggests their lives were so compelling that others noticed and spread the news.
• "in all the world": This powerful hyperbolic expression signifies the global impact of the Roman believers' witness. It speaks to the effectiveness of the Gospel and the church's vitality in the heart of the Roman Empire, showcasing the rapid and far-reaching spread of Christianity even in its early stages. Their example serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Romans 1 8 Bonus section

The strong opening of thanksgiving for the Roman church's famed faith serves multiple purposes for Paul. Firstly, it provides an authentic and sincere expression of Paul's personal spiritual connection to the believers, fostering goodwill and rapport with a congregation he had not personally founded. Secondly, by acknowledging their worldwide reputation, Paul effectively legitimizes his forthcoming exposition of the gospel. He is not addressing a failing or obscure church but a thriving and well-known assembly whose exemplary faith makes them an ideal audience for a profound theological discourse. This recognition could also have subtly mitigated any concerns about his apostolic authority, as he validates the very faith they are known for. Lastly, the emphasis on "faith" points directly to the foundational theological subject matter of the entire letter: the righteousness of God revealed through faith from beginning to end, challenging the reliance on the Mosaic Law prevalent in some circles of the early church.

Romans 1 8 Commentary

Romans 1:8 functions as an effective and encouraging prelude to Paul's magnum opus on justification by faith. His opening thanksgiving immediately connects with the Roman believers on a spiritual and personal level, highlighting shared faith and a common focus on God. The specificity of his gratitude—for their "faith" being "proclaimed in all the world"—is key. This suggests their active, living trust in Christ was visibly impacting others far and wide, serving as a powerful testimony without requiring an apostle's direct supervision for its spread. By acknowledging this, Paul validates their spiritual maturity and good standing, building a bridge of respect before presenting his comprehensive exposition of the gospel. The constant reliance on "Jesus Christ" as the channel for all divine blessings and human interaction with God underscores Christ's central and indispensable role in salvation and Christian life, a theme that pervades the entire letter. Practically, this verse encourages believers today that our genuine faith and the way we live it can become a powerful testimony that spreads beyond our immediate circles, bringing glory to God through Jesus Christ. Our "faith proclaimed" isn't about human reputation but about the authentic demonstration of God's work in us.