Romans 1:11-12 :

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

The real leader in Christianity is Jesus Himself. Paul was a major figure and one that God chose to distribute information about the Gospel, but he was not higher than the others or less needy of encouragement. Paul expresses here that he wanted to go to Rome to encourage the believers there and to also be encouraged by them.

God has given us as Christians the ability to encourage each other and build each other up. That’s one of the reasons we get together as a church. We need to be encouraged by each other.

Notice that God had given Paul “spiritual gifts” that were to be used “to the end that you may be established.” We are all given spiritual gifts. These are gifts that are not natural but are given supernaturally by God’s Spirit. The reason for these gifts is to build up other Christians. It is important that we realize that Spiritual Gifts are not intended to be used for our own benefit. The spiritual life as a Christian is one that looks outward to help others.

Paul wanted to make sure that each church was “established.” He wasn’t a preacher who would rush in, produce converts, and leave. He wanted to make sure that the church as a whole would last and grow. When a church group uses their spiritual gifts in order to build each other up, it makes them healthy as a group.