Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

(v8, NIV)

Looking back at verse 5, we remember that the result of the call is the obedience that comes from faith. The outpouring of them should be this obedience in their lives which comes from faith. Paul wants to show the believers in Rome that he's committed to this in their lives. He wants to see this in their lives.

Paul begins by thanking God through Jesus Christ for them. The reason for this thanking is their faith which is being reported all over the world. Now, Paul could've easily said "I thank God for your faith", but he didn't. They are included in this thanksgiving. The fact of the matter is that people have faith. We should encourage one another and be thankful for one another. These believers have faith and Paul is thankful for them because of their faith. It's true that God deserves thanks for faith and this is why God is primary in this thanksgiving.

The faith of the believers at Rome is being reported all over the world. Faith is invisible, so how can their faith have such an effect? This goes to back to the obedience which comes from faith. Our faith is invisible; only God can see our faith. However, the obedience which comes from faith is what others see and this is outpouring is why their faith is becoming so apparent to others.