Ever since Paul’s life was transformed that night on the road to Road to Damascus, his ministry, by and large, had been among the Gentiles. Just as Peter and the other apostles chose to present the case for Jesus as the Messiah among the Jewish communities, Paul—though a lifelong Pharisee steeped in Jewish rituals— chose a different path. Whether by choice or calling, he devoted himself to traveling to distant regions and islands, proclaiming the good news and the hope that comes with it. Although he was well known—perhaps even infamous—among the Gentile followers, he remained relatively unknown among the Jewish believers, whose support he hoped to enlist for his next mission.
His first letter to the church in Rome finds Paul the Apostle entering uncharted territory. Written around AD 57, likely during his third missionary journey, this letter stands apart from his others. Unlike the churches he had personally founded, Paul had no direct role in establishing the church in Rome, making this epistle distinct in both tone and purpose. By this time, Rome had developed into one of the largest communities of believers, made up of both Gentiles and Jews.
Though not longer than a decade ago, Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome, leaving the church in Rome with a largely Gentile population. By the time Paul the Apostle wrote the letter to the church in Rome, however, Jews had been allowed back into the city. With their reentry, the emphasis on the Law in relation to righteousness returned, leading to a class system within the church. Such divisions had arisen in many places Paul ministered, prompting him to write in order to bridge the divide and emphasise the sacrifice of the Son rather than the letter of the law.
Obedience Through Faith Not Laws
Paul explains that through Christ he received grace and his calling as an apostle to bring the Gentiles to an obedience that flows from faith, and he reminds his readers that they too are included among those called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.
Romans 1:5 (NIV)
Can a person truly obey someone without first having faith in them?
A person may obey the laws that religion sets outwardly without faith, but that kind of obedience is usually driven by fear, pressure, or obligation and does not last. When circumstances become difficult—when there is suffering, confusion, or loss—this “obedience” rooted in fear begins to weaken. It can sometimes even turn into resistance or bitterness because there is no deeper trust in God.
Most people have not known God personally, but have instead heard second- or third-hand accounts of His works. As a result, what they often call faith is not truly faith, but something shaped more by fear of God, or fear of missing out on what others call faith.True faith grows from knowing God and understanding His will for our lives. From that relationship comes trust, and from trust comes willing obedience.
If everything were already visible, proven, and fully understood, then obedience would no longer require faith—it would simply be a response to certainty. But faith involves trusting God even when His ways are not fully clear, and that trust naturally leads to obedience. While obedience without faith may exist for a time, but it is unstable and shallow. True, lasting obedience is the result of a relationship of trust—faith that knows God and therefore chooses to follow Him.
Serving God in Spirit
Paul emphasises his continual prayers for the believers in Rome despite not having met them. Serving God wholeheartedly in the gospel, Paul appeals to God as his witness that he remembers them constantly.
God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you.
Romans 1:9 (NIV)
How do we serve God in our Spirit?
We can serve God in our spirit by moving beyond outward actions and offering Him our hearts that are shaped by His Spirit. It is not merely service in the physical sense, but a life directed and empowered by His Spirit, aligning ourselves with His purpose for our lives. This kind of service flows from obedience—listening to and following every word of our Master, not out of religious obligation, but from a heart that is constantly listening for His Voice.
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 other’s faith.
Romans 1:11 (NIV)
Can we impart spiritual gifts to others?
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given by God alone. No person can impart them by their own power or will. Paul can impart the truth with a deeper understanding of God. Through this, believers are strengthened, and as they grow, God Himself works in them and gives what is needed for their spiritual growth. So the role of a servant of God is to share knowledge, encourage faith, and point others to Him; the actual transformation comes from God alone.
Paul himself clarifies what he meansthis immediately: “that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” He is not writing about a one-sided transfer of power, but about shared strengthening. Fellowship becomes the context where faith is built up. This is, in many ways, one of the greatest gifts within the body of believers. When we see God working in different people in different ways, it becomes a source of encouragement.
At times, a person may feel alone in following God—misunderstood or even discouraged by their own fellowships. In such moments, hearing another person speak the very same truth that God has already placed in their heart becomes a powerful confirmation, strengthening their conviction.
Paul has the same strengthening of his conviction when he hears about the unwavering faith of the believers in Rome and how God has been working among their midst. Encouraged by this, he plans to visit them and writes to urge them to remain steadfast in their faith, without any distinctions among them. In his letter, he emphasises unity within the community, calling them to support one another in their spiritual growth and to value the diverse gifts each member brings, reminding them that the gospel is for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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