How Far Is Your Faith Known? Romans 1-2

  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 1:15 (ESV)

So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul has a great longing to go to Rome to both preach the gospel but also to encourage the saints gathered there in the name of Christ.    In this book he is outlining for them the great doctrine of justification by faith, alone.    But, before he digs into doctrine he shares with them a commentary about both their and his faith.   He is so encouraged that their faith is spoken about “in all the world.”   We have no way of knowing if he meant that literally or it was a form of hyperbole, to simply state he has heard about their faith and is proud of them.    It could be a measure of both.   Rome was the place of great conversation and what is said in Rome was often repeated in the world.  As the popular saying was, “All roads lead to Rome,” so, too, much communication came out of Rome.   Imagine having your faith spoken of in such a great way that others in other lands hear of it.   Paul commended the believers in other regions, as well, for their testimony:

1 Thessalonians 1:7 (ESV)

so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

We are to be examples to our families and friends and local Body of Believers.  But, we are to live in such a way that we also are known far and wide for our faith.   

All this does not stop Paul from also wanting to come there to preach the gospel.   He means here what he is about to write them in this “letter.”  He wants them to know the depth of the gospel.   Even though their faith was deep and wide and well known, he wants them to know more.   Why?   

Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Paul wants them to know deeper the mystery of the gospel.  His theory is that the deeper they know the gospel the wider it is proclaimed throughout the world.