Romans 1:8-14 // The Teacher of the Gospel

Based on Romans 1:8-14

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
It is tactful to tell people about the encouragement that you derive from their real virtue, and Paul does this. I do not think Paul was being inaccurate when he described the way their faith was talked about throughout the world; but I do not think Paul would have meant to imply that they were being talked about in New Guinea. I think Paul and his readers would have understood this to mean "people everywhere are talking about your faith" which is figurative language that is not hard to understand at all. Passages that describe "all the world" more specifically with reference to far off nations etc should of course be taken literally, we need to preach the gospel to all the world for a witness to all nations.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Paul serves God with his spirit, which could either be a reference to mystical use of personal inner power to make people believe the gospel or simply that he serves God with his life/breath/spirit in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible says nothing about using personal mystical powers to do anything, least of all to preach the gospel so Paul is just talking about his complete devotion to God in sharing the gospel of the Son. The Holy Spirit is essential in the preaching of the gospel, but he is neither possessed nor controlled by us, and nor did Paul claim to possess him; the Holy Spirit possesses us.
When he prays, Paul consistently mentions the believers in Rome with the prayer that he might be able to visit them to bring any spiritual benefit that they may need. Paul was a servant of God, so he did not need to pretend false modesty that he had nothing to teach to people whose faith was strong, but who were far from the reach of the regular teachers of the church. Without an understanding of truth that would only be learned from a gospel teacher, the Romans could not have been firmly grounded in the faith.



12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
I split that thought a bit awkwardly, because verse 12 clarifies verse 11. However what I wrote stands, Paul was not pretending that the Romans did not need to be taught, but interestingly he felt the need to clarify that he hoped the Romans would be a source of mutual encouragement to him. He does not say that he expects the Romans to teach him anything (although God can teach him while he teaches the Romans, but the Romans themselves might not teach him anything) but that he hopes to be encouraged by the faith of the Romans which is similar to his. I will mention verse 13 then finish that train of thought. In verse 13 Paul is almost apologetic that he has never visited the Romans, because of his (controversial) formal title of Apostle to the Gentiles which would require him to visit the Romans, although his real mission has been specifically to the Greeks. God can sometimes lead our thoughts and actions through the titles and responsibilities he places on us; it is right to make special effort to live up to our high calling, especially for those in church office.
Continuing the thought about verse 12; we can get more comfort from the society of those who know much less or much more about the Bible than us if we share their faith. I mean both in terms of beliefs and consecration. I can enjoy the company of very unlearned people who share my beliefs or my consecration much more than very learned people who share neither. Learning and knowledge are crucial, but faith and consecration are foundational (2 Pet 1:5); if you are believing and consecrated I will be happy to teach you what I know, and happy to learn what you know and we can get on great. But if you know a lot but are not believing or consecrated I really would rather not know what you know, because most likely it is not worth knowing, or at least not worth learning from you. For some reason the attitude and world view of the teacher comes out in the teaching, and in the process of consuming the knowledge I consume the attitude and world view.
When I drink polluted water it is not the water that killed me but the toxins in it, yet it would be said that I died from drinking that water. Even when the truth is being taught, a lack of faith or consecration on the part of the teacher will be transmitted to the learner. This is more dangerous in the Christian learning environment, but its effects must also be resisted in the secular school. Unbelief and licentiousness are engrained into the life of the unconverted teacher, and these will be transmitted to the student without exception. The student must come daily before the throne of God to plead for these toxins to be purged away by the blood of the lamb. Being influenced for corruption is not a sin, but it can lead to sin so practice a trust in God. Be careful how you put yourself in such danger.
In contrast, the teacher who has great faith and is fully consecrated and has great knowledge will establish the church wherever he goes. Learn from such a man. That Paul was like this is evidenced by the Waldenses who remained established for centuries after they had to separate from the Roman church and preserved the truth long enough to plant the seeds of the Reformation.