FIRST I THANK MY GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU ALL: Proton men eucharisto (1SPAI) to theo mou dia Iesou Christou peri panton humon:  (see Romans 16:4-note)  (Jn 14:6, 1Ti 2:5, Heb 13:15) (Eph 2:18, Ep 5:20; Php 1:11; Col 3:16, 17, 1Ti 2:5, 1Pe 2:5)

First - First in time, place, order, importance. Be honest do you give God priority? Do you thank Him first or last (or not at all)? Make Him your priority when you rise, when you walk about and when you lie down to sleep. Make God first on your "day timer"! You won't regret it, beloved. (cp 1Thes 5:18-note)

My God - No pagan would have made such a statement, nor would have most Jews referred to God with the personal pronoun "my". For Paul, his personal relationship with God was not a theological abstraction but an intimate acquaintance with his beloved Savior and Friend. Is He your God, your best Friend?

Dear reader, is He "your" God? There can be no other and none better. Beloved, if He is "your" God, then remember that "you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!" (Ro 8:15- note; cp Gal 4:6, Mark 14:36). In these passages, Abba is the Aramaic term for "Father" conveying a picture of intimacy, much like our English words “Daddy” or “Papa”, the overall picture being one of tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of fear or anxiety.

Are you fearful or anxious today? Perhaps you need to go to Him and thank Him that He is "your personal Abba" (not to mention that He is the Helper and Keeper of your soul - Click here to lift up your eyes and see from whence cometh your Help and Protection). See related resources on fear or anxiety: How To Handle Fear (1);  How to Handle Fear (2); How To Handle Fear (3); How to Handle Fear (4); Commentary on Matthew 6 see notes - Matthew 6:25ff)

The first mark of true spiritual service, which Paul had in abundance, is thankfulness. It is also the mark of a Spirit filled (controlled) man (cp Eph 5:20-note; Col 3:16-note; Col 3:17-note). Paul was grateful for what God had done for and through him, but he was equally grateful for what God had done in and through other believers.

THANKFULNESS

Hold pointer over References (from Nave's) for a "quick" study on Thankfulness

Jesus set an example of, Mt 11:25; 26:27; Jn 11:41.

The heavenly host engage in, Re 4:9; 7:11, 12; 11:16, 17.

Commanded, Ps 50:14.

Should be offered to God, Ps 50:14; to Christ, 1Ti 1:12; through Christ, Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15; in the name of Christ, Eph 5:20; in behalf of ministers, 2Cor 1:11; in private worship, Da 6:10; in public worship, Ps 35:18; in everything, 1Th 5:18; upon the completion of great undertakings, Neh 12:31, 40; before taking food, Jn 6:11; Acts 27:35; always, Eph. 1:16; 5:20; 1Th 1:2; as the remembrance of God's holiness, Ps 30:4; 97:12; for the goodness and mercy of God, Ps 106:1; 107:1; 136:1, 2, 3; for the gift of Christ, 2Co 9:15; for Christ's power and reign, Re 11:17; for the reception and effectual working of the word of God in others, 1Th 2:13; for deliverance through Christ, from indwelling sin, Ro 7:23, 24, 25; for victory over death and the grave, 1Co 15:57; for wisdom and might, Da 2:23; for the triumph of the gospel, 2Co 2:14; for the conversion of others, Ro 6:17; for faith exhibited by others, Ro 1:8; 2Th 1:3, 2:13; for love exhibited by others, 2 Thess. 1:3; for the grace bestowed on others, 1Co 1:4; Phil 1:3, 4, 5; Col 1:3, 4, 5, 6; for the zeal exhibited by others, 2Co 8:16; for nearness of God's presence, Ps 75:1; for appointment to the ministry, 1Ti 1:12; for willingness to offer our property for God's service, 1Chr 29:6-14; for the supply of our bodily wants, Ro 14:6, 7; 1Ti 4:3, 4; for all men, 1Ti 2:1; for all things, 2Co 9:11; Ep 5:20.

Should be accompanied by intercession for others, 1Ti 2:1; 2Ti 1:3; Philemon 1:4.

Should always accompany prayer, Neh 11:17; Phil 4:6; Col 4:2.

Should always accompany praise, Ps 92:1; Heb 13:15.

Expressed in psalms, 1Chr 16:7

Ministers appointed to offer, in public, 1Chr 16:4, 7; 23:30; 2Chr 31:2.
Saints exhorted to, Ps 105:1; Col 3:15; resolve to offer, Ps 18:49; 30:12; habitually offer, Da 6:10; offer sacrifices of, Ps 116:17; abound in the faith with, Col 2:7; magnify God by, Ps 69:30; come before God with, Ps 95:2; should enter God's gates with, Ps 100:4.

Of hypocrites, full of boasting, Lk 18:11. The wicked averse to, Ro 1:21.

MacArthur notes that...

A thankful heart for those to whom one ministers is essential to true spiritual service. The Christian who is trying to serve God’s people, however needy they may be, without gratitude in his heart for what the Lord has done for them will find his service lacking joy. Paul could usually find a cause for thanks so that he could honor the Lord for what had been done already and hope for what God would use him to do. Superficial believers are seldom satisfied and therefore seldom thankful. Because they focus on their own appetites for things of the world, they are more often resentful than thankful. A thankless heart is a selfish, self-centered, legalistic heart. Paul had a thankful heart because he continually focused on what God was doing in his own life, in the lives of other faithful believers, and in the advancement of His kingdom throughout the world. (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

Through Jesus Christ - This short phrase in essence summarizes the entire epistle to the Hebrews where we learn that Jesus Christ is the believer's Great High Priest, through Whom we have confidence access to the throne of God the Father (cp Heb 2:17, 18, 4:14, 15, 16, 10:19, 20, 21, 22). This phrase pictures Jesus' as our Mediator, elsewhere Paul writing that

There is one God and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1Ti 2:5).

Through Him (Christ) then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (see note Hebrews 13:15)

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (see note 1 Peter 2:5)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14:6)

Paul begins with a compliment. That’s not a small point. The very first words out of his mouth are positive words of affirmation.  Notice also that Paul is thankful for ALL the believers in Rome -- His gratitude was impartial and all-encompassing, making no distinctions. In every epistle but one, Paul expresses gratitude for those to whom he writes. The exception was the letter to the church in Galatia, which had defected from the true gospel of grace to a works system of righteousness and was worshiping and serving in the flesh because of the influence of the Judaizers. It was not that the other churches were perfect, which is apparent since Paul wrote most of his letters to correct wrong doctrine or unholy living. But even where the need for instruction and correction was great, he found something in those churches for which he could be thankful.

MacArthur writes that...

Some years later, as he was prisoner in his own house in Rome while awaiting an audience before Caesar, Paul was still thankful. While there, he wrote four epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon), commonly called the prison epistles. In each of those letters he gives thanks for the believers to whom he writes (see notes Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; Philemon 1:4). During his second Roman imprisonment, he may have spent time in the wretched Mamertine prison. If so, we can be sure he was thankful even there, although the city sewage system ran through the prison. I was told on a visit there that when the cells were filled to capacity, the sewage gates were opened and all the inmates would drown in the filthy water, making way for a new batch of prisoners. But Paul’s thankfulness did not rise and fall based on his earthly circumstances but on the richness of his fellowship with his Lord. (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

Would you like more study on the wonderful topic of through Him? Click the NT uses of the parallel phrase through Jesus or see (John 1:17, Acts 10:36, Ro 1:8-note,, Ro 5:1-note; Ro 5:2-note Ro 5:21-note, Ro 7:25-note, Ro 16:27-note, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:5-note, Phil 1:11-note, Titus 3:6-note, Heb 13:21-note, 1Pe 2:5-note, 1Pe 4:11-note, Jude 1:25)

BECAUSE YOUR FAITH IS BEING (continually) PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD: hoti e pistis humon kataggelletai (3SPPI) en holo to kosmo:  (Mt 5:16 Ro 16:19; 1Th 1:8, 9) (Mt 24:14; Lk 2:1; Acts 11:28)

Your faith - (literally "the faith your") is not a reference to their belief in Christ which resulted in their salvation but it was more a reference to the changed lives of integrity which their faith produced. Someone might have been describing the church at Rome when they quipped that the church is not a yachting club but a fleet of fishing boats, for the business of the church is to demonstrate God and the supernatural life made possible by His glorious Gospel.

Vance Havner once quipped...

There ought to be enough electricity in every church service to give everybody in the congregation either a charge or a shock!

A W Pink added that...

If a church does not evangelize it will fossilize.

As Spurgeon said...

A holy church is an awful weapon in the hand of God. (And added that) We shall never see much change for the better in our churches in general till the prayer meeting occupies a higher place in the esteem of Christians.

John Blanchard rightly said that...

The one reaction the Christian church ought never to produce in the community is indifference.

Faith (4102) (pistis) (see study of related words pisteuo and pistos) is synonymous with trust or belief and is the conviction of the truth of anything, but in Scripture usually speaks of belief  respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it. Note that this discussion of pistis is only an overview and not a detailed treatise of this vitally important subject. Those interested are directed to respected, conservative books on systematic theology for more in depth discussion (eg, Dr Wayne Grudem's book Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine is an excellent, uncompromising, imminently readable resource for the lay person. See especially Chapter 35 which addresses the question "What is saving faith?" in an easy to understand manner.) Much of this "definition" deals with the general word group for faith (pistis = noun, pistos = adjective, pisteuo = verb)

How did their Christian lives affect the pagans around them? The Roman historian Tacitus writes that into the city of Rome “flow all things that are vile and abominable, and where they are encouraged”. And yet in the midst of such a "moral cesspool" the Roman saints were living singularly pure lives, giving glorious testimony to the supernatural source of Christianity and the transforming power of the gospel of grace. Beloved, is your "faith" being proclaimed in your family, your neighborhood, your workplace, your school, etc?

Paul personified their faith as a spokesman for the gospel, continuously (present tense) "being proclaimed"

Proclaimed (2605) (kataggello from kata = an intensifier, down + aggelos = messenger and aggello = to declare, report) literally means to "declare down". It means to announce, with focus upon the extent to which the announcement or proclamation extends and so to proclaim throughout. It means to declare plainly, openly and loudly! It was used of solemn religious messages.

Webster adds that our English "proclaim" (from pro = before + clamare = to cry out) means to "declare publicly, typically insistently... in either speech or writing... and implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively." (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary)

Kataggello is used 18 times in the NT (Acts 11x; Romans; 1 Corinthians 3x; Philippians 2x; Colossians) (Hold pointer over the 18 uses to determine "what" is being proclaimed - interesting! - Acts 4:2; 13:5, 38; 15:36; 16:17, 21; 17:3, 13, 23; 26:23; Ro 1:8; 1Co 2:1; 9:14; 11:26; Phil 1:16, 18; Col 1:28), most often in Acts and most often in the context of proclamation of the gospel. Kataggello is translated: announced, 1; proclaim, 7; proclaimed, 5; proclaiming, 5.

TDNT has the following note on kataggello recording that...

"In the secular sphere the term is used for official reports, while in the religious area it announces games and proclaims festivals. Plato has it for philosophical proclamation. The Septuagint (LXX) makes no contribution, but Josephus has the word for God’s promise to Abraham and through the prophets... It is always sacral (sacred - of or relating to religion). There is a hint of promise in Acts 3:24, but normally “proclamation” is the meaning. The proclamation is more of acts than of ideas; Jesus has fulfilled what was expected (cf. Acts 4:2; 17:3; 13:38). The language of Acts 26:26 is liturgical. Sometimes there is a missionary thrust, as in Ro 1:4. Teaching is included (cf. 1Co 11:23; Col 1:28). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W.  Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

Vincent writes that kataggello means

"to proclaim with authority, as commissioned to spread the tidings throughout, down among those that hear them, with the included idea of celebrating or commending." (Vincent, M. R. Word studies in the New Testament. Vol. 3, Page 1-7)

For example, Luke records that the Jewish leaders were

greatly disturbed because (Peter, et al) were teaching the people and proclaiming (kataggello) in Jesus the resurrection from the dead." (Acts 4:2)

What a faith the lives of the Roman saints must have preached! In Corinth, Paul said to the religious pagans

while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim (kataggello) to you." (Acts 17:23)

What a positive, uplifting way to begin a letter. This surely must have encouraged the saints at Rome. Maybe they hadn’t heard about him, but he had heard about them.

As an aside, it's worth noting that it’s always easier for the flesh nature to criticize than to commend. It’s always easier to begin by just letting people have it. After all, we live in a fallen, imperfect world, and if you want to, you can always find something to criticize. And frankly we, as new creatures in Christ, all too often act this same way. For some folks this is their way of life. The first thing out their mouths will be the verbal vomit of criticism. It was said of Thomas Hardy that when he walked into a flower garden, he couldn’t see the flowers for the dung-heap in the corner. Unfortunately, the world is full of people like that.  But not Paul (and hopefully not us most of the time!). Paul begins by expressing his heartfelt thanks for the church at Rome. Little wonder that the Romans were ready to hear the most profound letter in the NT. There’s a familiar principle at work here. People tend to become what you believe them to be. If you say to a child, "You’re stupid," he’ll struggle forever in his classes. If you treat a man like a criminal, he’ll soon prove it by robbing you blind. But if a husband says to his wife, "You’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me," his wife will be transformed before his very eyes.

In his book Crusade in Europe, Dwight Eisenhower talks about the many different generals he worked with during World War II. As he studied their leadership styles, he came to a simple conclusion. He wrote (and this is paraphrased) that "the methods leaders use to motivate their followers vary so widely as to defy exact categorization. However, it has been my experience that all great leaders share one thing in common. They are able to mix and mingle with their men on a common basis, and so to convince them that they have their best interests at heart." Heart to Heart Ministry begins with a Grateful Heart—one that sees and notices the good that other people do.

Marvin Vincent says the phrase Throughout the whole world is

"Hyperbolical (figure of speech in which exceptional exaggeration is deliberately used for emphasis rather than deception), but according with the position of the metropolitan church. Compare 1Thessalonians 1:8  (note)" ("the word of the Lord (which in context is equivalent to the gospel) has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything." 1Thessalonians 1:8 Compare to Acts 17: 6 {note})

A T Robertson agrees writing that "all the world" is best understood as

a legitimate hyperbole, for the gospel was spreading all over the Roman Empire.

Kenneth Wuest adds

This is a popular hyperbole speaking of general diffusion throughout the Roman empire. This local church in the capital city was like a city set on a hill, occupying a prominent position in the world of that day. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

From secular history we learn that in a.d. 49 Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2) thinking they were all followers of someone named Chrestus (a variant spelling of Christ). Apparently the testimony of Jewish Christians had so incited the non believing Jews that the turmoil threatened the peace of the whole city. The believers had, then, a powerful testimony not only in the city, but throughout the whole world. What a commendation!

The gospel is alive, gives life and bears fruit, Paul explaining to the Colossian saints that

the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth (see note Colossians 1:5-6)

Again in Colossians 1 Paul used a parallel phrase describing

the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven. (see note Colossians 1:23)

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (Mt 24:14)

Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. (Jn 8:12)

As someone has well said

When the effect of the gospel is all important in the church, the force of the gospel is unstoppable in the world. Amen!

Or as another has said the church is most effective in the world when it is least like the world! Or as D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said

The glory of the gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world she invariably attracts it.

Some churches are famous because of their pastor, their architecture, their stained glass windows, or their size or wealth. The church in Rome was famous because of its faith. It was a fellowship of genuinely redeemed saints through whom the Lord Jesus Christ manifested His life and power, so that their character was known everywhere.

The excellence of the church does not consist in multitude but in purity.- John Calvin

I particularly like what Martin Luther said...