ACC ~ Romans 1 v12

ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER’S FAITH. ORIGEN: Those on whom the apostle wishes to bestow spiritual grace for the encouragement of their faith, so that they will no longer be children, nor tossed about by every wind of doctrine—they are the truly blessed. Paul himself received comfort from seeing his work firm and stable, and they are comforted because they share in the apostolic grace. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

COMFORT IN THE SAME FAITH. AMBROSIASTER: Paul says that he will be comforted with them insofar as they come to understand spiritual things. Even while he may rejoice in their faith, he nevertheless grieves insofar as they have not received the faith rightly. The apostle was the type to grieve for the faults of others as if they were his own. “And we are comforted by this,” he says, “by one and the same faith.” In this way the act of comforting is seamless. For it is by the unity of faith that they are brought to maturity in Christ. By this means the ministry of spiritual grace is given through the apostle’s preaching of the gospel and produces its own fruit. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

PAUL’S OWN NEED FOR COMFORT. APOLLINARIS OF LAODICEA: Even Paul was not above the need of comfort. For right speech comforts the speaker as well. By this means Paul is teaching his followers not to be proud if they are called to teach. They are not giving what merely belongs to them when they teach. They come to realize that they not only minister to others’ needs but that they have needs themselves. For this is the fruit of the gospel. It is a blessing to those who preach it. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

FULL EQUALITY. CHRYSOSTOM: The Romans were undergoing many tribulations. Paul wanted to see them in order to comfort them and also to be comforted by them. … What humility he had! He showed them that he needed them as much as they needed him. By doing this, he put learners in the position of teachers, not claiming any superiority for himself but pointing out that they were fully equal to him.

Now if anyone should say that Paul’s comfort was his gladness at the increase of the Romans’ faith and that Paul needed this, he would not be mistaken. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 2.

TO GIVE AND TO RECEIVE. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul wanted to receive as well as to give. The eagerness was on both sides. INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

DEFLECTING THE CHARGE OF PRESUMPTION. GENNADIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE: Paul says this for fear of tripping up his hearers, who might not have known what to say to the prospect of sharing in some spiritual gift. For what could have been lacking in the teaching of Peter? Paul might be accused of criticizing Peter’s teaching … of thinking that he was a greater apostle than Peter, of claiming to be on closer terms with Christ and more beloved by Christ than Peter was. Fearing attacks of this kind, Paul first of all sets out the purpose of his coming, thereby sufficiently refuting the charge of presumption. Then he goes on to say not that he is giving them something but that he is going to share something with them, which is quite different. … Paul reassures them that he has no intention of preaching anything new to them but that he intends to confirm them in what they have already received from Peter. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

Rom