2 Samuel 13:29

13:29 So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon exactly what Absalom had instructed. Then all the king’s sons got up; each one rode away on his mule and fled.

Romans 1:11

1:11 For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift ¹  to strengthen you,

Philippians 1:8

1:8 For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:26

2:26 Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill.

Philippians 4:1

Christian Practices

4:1 So then, my brothers and sisters, ²  dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!

¹ sn Paul does not mean here that he is going to bestow upon the Roman believers what is commonly known as a “spiritual gift,” that is, a special enabling for service given to believers by the Holy Spirit. Instead, this is either a metonymy of cause for effect (Paul will use his own spiritual gifts to edify the Romans), or it simply means something akin to a blessing or benefit in the spiritual realm. It is possible that Paul uses this phrase to connote specifically the broader purpose of his letter, which is for the Romans to understand his gospel, but this seems less likely.

² tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.