Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Original Language Analysis
μάρτυς
witness
G3144
μάρτυς
witness
Strong's:
G3144
Word #:
1 of 28
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
γάρ
For
G1063
γάρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
6 of 28
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ᾧ
whom
G3739
ᾧ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματί
spirit
G4151
πνεύματί
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
11 of 28
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ
Son
G5207
υἱοῦ
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
17 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὡς
that
G5613
ὡς
that
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
19 of 28
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἀδιαλείπτως
without ceasing
G89
ἀδιαλείπτως
without ceasing
Strong's:
G89
Word #:
20 of 28
uninterruptedly, i.e., without omission (on an appropriate occasion)
ποιοῦμαι
I make
G4160
ποιοῦμαι
I make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
23 of 28
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;Romans 9:1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,2 Corinthians 1:23Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.1 Thessalonians 1:2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;1 Thessalonians 3:10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?Acts 27:23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,Acts 19:21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.Philippians 3:3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Historical Context
In an era without modern communication, Paul maintained spiritual connection with churches through persistent prayer. His prayers for churches he had not visited (like Rome and Colossae) demonstrate apostolic care extending beyond personal acquaintance. Prayer was the engine of apostolic ministry, not an afterthought. Early Christians often prayed at set times (Acts 3:1; 10:9) and devoted extended periods to intercession.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing your work or ministry as 'worship' (λατρεύω) change your motivation and attitude toward daily tasks?
- What would change in your life if you prayed 'unceasingly' (ἀδιαλείπτως) for specific people and churches as Paul did?
- How can you cultivate Spirit-empowered prayer rather than perfunctory, distracted, or self-centered prayer?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Paul invokes divine testimony: martus gar mou estin ho theos (μάρτυς γάρ μού ἐστιν ὁ θεός, 'for God is my witness'). Since Paul had not visited Rome, he needed to establish his genuine care for them. Calling God as witness is solemn (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:23; Philippians 1:8), underscoring Paul's sincerity. The relative clause hō latreuō en tō pneumati mou en tō euangeliō tou huiou autou (ᾧ λατρεύω ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, 'whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son') describes Paul's devotion.
Latreuō (λατρεύω) is worship/service, often used of priestly ministry in the Old Testament. Paul's apostolic labor is spiritual worship offered to God. En tō pneumati mou (in my spirit) indicates inward, heartfelt devotion, not mere external ritual. The sphere is en tō euangeliō (in the gospel)—Paul's service is gospel-centered proclamation. The phrase hōs adialeiptōs mneian humōn poioumai (ὡς ἀδιαλείπτως μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι, 'how unceasingly I make mention of you') shows constant, specific intercession. Adialeiptōs (unceasingly) does not mean every moment but regularly, persistently. Paul's prayer life was robust and others-centered.