The Greek of this verse is difficult to translate, though the meaning is clear. Paul wants to avoid the implication that he looks upon his visit solely as a means of benefiting his readers: both you and I will be helped. The verb rendered helped is found only here in the New Testament, though a related verb is often used by Paul with the meaning “to encourage.”

Because of the rather succinct nature of verse 12, it may be necessary to employ a somewhat expanded form—for example, “what I mean is that I will help to strengthen you and you will help to strengthen me.” Similarly, the last clause may be rendered as “you will become strong because you know how I believe, and I will become strong because I know how you believe.” In both instances it may be necessary to introduce some direct goal of my faith and your faith—for example, “how I trust Christ” and “how you trust Christ.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .