Romans 1:10-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:11-12

Longing to meet. The vehement desire of the apostle cherished through many years was at length gratified; but the manner of entering Rome how different from the anticipated voluntary visit! He was to arrive, after a tempestuous, perilous voyage, as a prisoner to plead for his life before the emperor. It is well that a veil hides the future, or our wishes for some event might die away in silence. I. LOVE IS NOT SATISFIED WITHOUT A MEETING . Augustine would have liked to see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:12

That is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by each other's faith, yours and mine . The spirit of delicate courtesy here evinced, in addressing persons over whom one loss of a Christian gentleman than St. Paul was might have assumed a lordly tone, is apparent elsewhere in his Epistles (cf. Romans 15:15 ; Romans 16:19 ; 2 Corinthians 2:3 ; 2 Corinthians 3:1 , seq.; 2 Corinthians 8:8 ; 2 Corinthians 9:2 ), and especially the whole Epistle to Philemon. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:13

But I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles . Some take the "but" at the beginning of this verse ( οὐ θέλω δὲ ) as the apodosis to πρῶτον μὲν in Romans 1:8 , with the meaning, "I am aware, and am thankful, that your faith is already notorious; but still I wish you to know that I have long had a desire to visit you." But the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 1:13-14

A yearning heart. The ministry of the gospel of Christ may be fulfilled in either of two ways—by personal visitation and oral teaching and preaching; or by written communications, in the form of letter or of treatise. Paul, like many since his time, adopted both methods, and it would be hard to say in which he was the more effective. When he could not himself visit a city he could write to those who dwelt there. This difference between the two methods is observable—that by writing he could... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:10

Making request - It was his earnest desire to see them, and he presented the subject before God.If by any means - This shows the earnest desire which he had to see them, and implies that be had designed it, and had been hindered; see Romans 1:13.Now at length - He had purposed it a long time, but had been hindered. He doubtless cherished this purpose for years. The expressions in the Greek imply an earnest wish that this long-cherished purpose might be accomplished before long.A prosperous... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:11

For I long to see you - I earnestly desire to see you; compare Romans 15:23, Romans 15:32.That I may impart - That I may “give,” or communicate to you.Some spiritual gift - Some have understood this as referring to “miraculous gifts,” which it was supposed the apostles had the power of conferring on others. But this interpretation is forced and unnatural. There is no instance where this expression denotes the power of working miracles. Besides, the apostle in the next verse explains his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:12

That I may be comforted ... - It was not merely to confirm them that Paul wished to come. He sought the communion of saints; he expected to be himself edified and strengthened; and to be comforted by seeing their strength of faith, and their rapid growth in grace. We may remark here,(1) That one effect of religion is to produce the desire of the communion of saints. It is the nature of Christianity to seek the society of those who are the friends of Christ.(2) Nothing is better suited to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 1:13

That oftentimes I purposed - See Romans 1:10. How often he had purposed this we have no means of ascertaining. The fact, however, that he had done it, showed his strong desire to see them, and to witness the displays of the grace of God in the capital of the Roman world; compare Romans 15:23-24. One instance of his having purposed to go to Rome is recorded in Acts 19:21, “After these things were ended (namely, at Ephesus), Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 1:9-12

Romans 1:9-12. For God is my witness In saying I am thankful for your conversion, I might be well supposed to speak the truth, such an event being perfectly agreeable to the continual tenor of my petitions to God; whom I serve Not only as a Christian, but as an apostle; with my spirit With my understanding and conscience, will and affections, yea, with all the faculties of my soul, as well as with all the members of my body. Or, as the expression may be rendered, in my spirit, ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 1:13-15

Romans 1:13-15. Now, brethren Lest ye should be surprised that I, who am the apostle of the Gentiles, and who have expressed such a desire to see you, have never yet preached in Rome; I would not have you ignorant I wish to inform you; that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you See the margin. But was let (prevented) hitherto Either by the greater necessities of others, as Romans 15:22, or by the Spirit, Acts 16:7, or by Satan raising opposition and persecution, or otherwise... read more

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