proclaiming to everyone

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Paul continues his greeting to the Roman church discussing how he has wanted to come to them for a long time but hasn't been able to. He wants to come to them not only to strengthen their faith, but to have his faith built up by their ministry as well. He also hopes for some "harvest" among them. Here he is probably referring to the collection he has taken in all the gentile churches to support the "poor in Jerusalem." As I mentioned earlier, this collection was both important ministry for struggling, Jewish Christians in Jerusalem and a way for Paul to symbolize his connection to the "mother" church in Jerusalem. The part of this passage that strikes me is the reminder that Paul has ministered to all kinds of different communities in his effort to spread the good news. The church in the US hasn't always been so good on this score, but hopefully the new century will feature new boldness for the church in breaking down barriers and building up hope.

God bless,
Sam

Romans 1:8-15
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. 14I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish 15—hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.