Romans 1:9 - Exposition

For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers . A like solemn asseveration is made with a like intention ( Philippians 1:8 ; cf. also 2 Corinthians 11:31 ). It expresses the writer's earnestness, and is in place for attestation of a fact known only to himself and God. The word λατρεύω , ("I serve"), when used in a religious sense, most usually denotes "worship," and specifically the priestly services of the temple ( Hebrews 8:5 ; Hebrews 9:9 ; Hebrews 10:2 ; Hebrews 13:10 ). St. Paul's λατρεία intended here is not ceremonial function, but a spiritual one ( ἐν τῷ πνεύματί μου )—an inward devotion of himself to God's service in proclaiming and furthering "the gospel of his Son." A similar view of the essential λατρεία of Christians is found in Romans 12:1 ; Romans 15:16 ; Philippians 3:3 ; 2 Timothy 1:3 ; Hebrews 9:14 .