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Romans 1:13 |
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Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Audio commentary on this verse
Note 11 at Rom. 1:13: The word "let" that was used here is an old English word which means "hindered." It is still used in that sense in the sports of tennis and table tennis.
Paul was saying that he had purposed many times to travel to Rome, but he had been hindered up to this point. In Romans 15:22 Paul clearly states what his hindrance was: that others closer to where he was, had not heard the gospel yet. In other words, he was hindered from bringing the gospel to Rome because there were so many other places that needed him just as much. However, in Romans 15:23, Paul says that he had presented the gospel to every region in those parts (probably the area of Corinth-see Date and Place of Writing in the Introduction to the Book of Romans, p. 738), and he was now ready to begin his journey to Rome.
