called our Father, as he from whom all good ultimately comes ; and Jesus Christ is called Lord, as our Ruler, under whose care and protec- tion we are placed, and through whose ministration all good is actually- bestowed.
(8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, &c. From this verse to the end of the 17th we have the general introduction to the epistle. It is distinguished by the usual characteristics of the introduc- tory portions of the apostle's letters ; as it is commendatory, concilia- tory, and appropriate. Before introducing any other topic, the apostle expresses his gratitude to God on their account. 3Iy God is the endear- ing form of expression which he uses, in the consciousness of his recon- ciliation. " I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people," Jer. 30 : 22, contains all the blessings of the covenant of grace. My God through Jesus Christ, as these words are often explained, thus ex- pressing the idea that God is our God, or is reconciled to us through Jesus Christ. The latter clause may, however, be connected with the words / give thanks. This is the more natural construction, and is recommended by a comparison with such passages as Eph. 5: 20,
'"Giving thanks in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ," Heb. 13: 15. John 14: 13. These passages show that we must recognise the media- tion of Christ in our offerings to God.
That your faith is spoken of throughout the world. This is the ground of the apostle's thanksgiving ; and of course assumes -that faith is the gift of God, something for which we ought to be thankful. The cause of the faith of the Romans being so generally spoken of, may have been either that it was remarkably strong and decided, or that it was con- sidered of special importance that at Rome, the capital of the world, the gospel had been embraced.
(9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit, in the gospel of his Son, &c. That Paul was really thankful for the conversion of the Romans, he confirms by the fact that he was constantly mindful of them in his prayers ; and that he did thus remember them, he calls God to witness. This appeal to God as a witness of the truth of our declara- tions approaches very nearly to the nature of an oath, wanting only the imprecation of divine displeasure in the case of falsehood. It is, with Paul, not unfrequent, 2 Cor. 1 : 23. Gal. 1 : 20. Phil. 1 : 8, &c. &c. The word rendered I serve, means, properly, I worship, or perform religious service, and is always elsewhere used in this sense in the New Tes- tament. This meaning may be here retained, "whom I worship in my spirit," i. e. not merely externally, but cordially; and the clause in the gospel of his Son may mean either agreeably to the gospel, or in preach- ing the gospel. If the latter, the idea may be that preaching the gospel is itself a religious service ; or that his devotion to this duty was evi- dence that he was a sincere worshipper. The former interpretation is the simpler of the two — according to the gospel.
(10) Making request if by any means now at length I might have a