that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Parallel translations
- WEB that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
- KJV That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
- NKJV that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
- NASB that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
- NLT When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul clarifies that the encouragement will be mutual — he and the Romans will be strengthened by one another's faith. Even an apostle expects to be edified by fellow believers.
Overview
With humility, Paul reframes his hope: not a one-way impartation but mutual encouragement through shared faith. This models the interdependence of the body of Christ, where every believer, even the most mature, both gives and receives spiritual strengthening. It guards against any sense of spiritual superiority.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Th 3:7–10For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
- 3 Jn 1:3–4For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
- 2 Cor 7:13On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
- 2 Pet 1:1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
- 2 Cor 7:4–7Great is my confidence in you; great is my pride in you; I am filled with encouragement; in all our troubles my joy overflows.
- Titus 1:4To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
- 1 Th 2:17–20Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
- Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
- Rom 15:32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
- 2 Cor 2:1–3So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
- Jude 1:3Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.
- 2 Tim 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
- 2 Jn 1:4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
- Eph 4:5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
- Rom 15:24I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 1:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.