Romans 1:11

“For I long to see you, etc..] Not the city of Rome, which was one of Austin's three wishes to have seen in its glory; nor the emperor of it, nor the senate in it, nor its populous inhabitants, fine buildings, riches and grandeur; but the poor saints there, which were the excellent men of the earth, of the whole Roman empire, and in whom was his delight: his desire to see them was not to gratify his curiosity, nor to spend his time in idle chat with them, nor with a view to enrich himself by them; but, says he, that I may impart some spiritual gift: not any extraordinary gift of the Spirit; but spiritual light, knowledge, peace, and comfort, through the exercise of his ministerial gift:…”

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift--not any supernatural gift, as the next clause shows, and compare Co1 1:7. to the end that ye may be established.”

“For I long to see you - I earnestly desire to see you; compare Romans 15:23, Romans 15:32. That I may impart - That I may “give,” or communicate to you. Some spiritual gift - Some have understood this as referring to “miraculous gifts,” which it was supposed the apostles had the power of conferring on others. But this interpretation is forced and unnatural. There is no instance where this expression denotes the power of working miracles. Besides, the apostle in the next verse explains his meaning, “That I may be comforted together by the mutual faith,” etc. From this it appears that he desired to be among them to exercise the office of the ministry, to establish them in the gospel and to…”

“That I may impart to you - Face to face, by laying on of hands, prayer, preaching the gospel, private conversation. Some spiritual gift - With such gifts the Corinthians, who had enjoyed the presence of St. Paul, abounded, Co1 1:7; Co1 12:1; Co1 14:1. So did the Galatians likewise, Gal 3:5; and, indeed, all those churches which had had the presence of any of the apostles had peculiar advantages in this kind, from the laying on of their hands, Act 19:6; Act 8:17, &c., Ti2 1:6. But as yet the Romans were greatly inferior to them in this respect; for which reason the apostle, in the twelfth chapter also, says little, if any thing, of their spiritual gifts. He therefore desires to impart some,…”

“1:11 some spiritual gift: Paul is probably referring to the spiritual benefit that he hopes his ministry will bring to the Roman Christians.”

“I long: Rom 15:23, Rom 15:32; Gen 31:30; Sa2 13:39, Sa2 23:15; Co2 9:14; Phi 1:8, Phi 2:26, Phi 4:1 that: Rom 15:29; Act 8:15-19, Act 19:6; Co1 12:1-11; Co2 11:4; Gal 3:2-5; Eph 4:8-12 to the: Rom 16:25; Ch2 20:20; Act 16:5; Co2 1:21; Th1 3:2, Th1 3:13; Th2 2:17, Th2 3:3; Heb 13:9; Pe1 5:10, Pe1 5:12; Pe2 1:12, Pe2 3:17, Pe2 3:18 Romans 1:12”