Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 1:9

"For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers" — Romans 1:9 (ASV)

For God is my witness. The reason for this strong appeal to God is to show the Romans the deep interest that he felt in their welfare. This interest was manifested in his prayers and in his earnest desires to see them. A deep interest shown in this way was well-suited to prepare them to receive what he had to say to them.

Whom I serve. . The expression denotes that he was devoted to God in this manner; that he obeyed Him, and had given himself to do His will in making known His gospel.

With my spirit. Greek—en—in my spirit, that is, with my heart. It is not merely an external service; it is internal, real, sincere. He was truly and sincerely devoted to the service of God.

In the gospel of His Son. In making known the gospel, or as a minister of the gospel.

That without ceasing, adialeiptwv. This word means constantly, always, without intermission. It was not only once, but repeatedly. It had been the burden of his prayers. He also mentions the same thing in regard to other churches (1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

I make mention. I bring you to mind and present your case before God. This demonstrated his remarkable interest in a church that he had never seen, and it shows that Paul was a man of prayer, praying not only for his friends and relatives but also for those whom he had never seen. If all Christians and Christian ministers would remember the churches with the same intensity of prayer, what a different aspect the Christian church would soon assume!

Always. This word should be connected with the following verse, which reads, Always making request...