“That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Paul immediately corrects any impression of apostolic superiority by affirming reciprocal blessing and encouragement. Mutually encouraged emphasizes that spiritual strengthening flows in both directions, that the Roman believers possess treasures of faith from which Paul himself may draw. This democratizes spiritual authority, placing it within the communion of believers rather than exclusively with the apostle.
Church Fathers on Romans 1:12
“That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” As if he said, Do not suspect that I spoke to accuse you. It was not with this feeling that I said what I did. But what may it be that I wished to say? You are undergoing many tribulations, being drenched on every side . I desired then to see you, that I might comfort you, or rather, not that I might comfort you only, but that I might myself receive comfort. See the wisdom of the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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