Encouraged Together in the Faith

"It is good to begin everything with blessing God, to make that the alpha and omega of every song, in everything to give thanks…. He speaks this with delight and triumph. In all our thanksgivings, it is good for us to eye God as our God; this makes every mercy sweet, when we can say of God, 'He is mine in covenant.' …All our duties and performances are pleasing to God only through Jesus Christ, praises as well as prayers…. We must express our love to our friends, not only by praying for them, but by praising God for them. God must have the glory of all the comfort we have in our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be. Many of these Romans Paul had no personal acquaintance with, and yet he could heartily rejoice in their gifts and graces. When some of the Roman Christians met him (Acts 28:15), he thanked God for them, and took courage; but here his true catholic love extends itself further, and he thanks God for them all; not only for those among them that were his helpers in Christ, and that bestowed much labor upon him (of whom he speaks Romans 16:3, 6), but for them all." – Matthew Henry