Romans 1:13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers as brothers to explain his repeated but prevented plans to visit them. He states this while documenting his interrupted travel itinerary before his intended ministry in Rome.

The words — ἀγνοεῖν (agnoein) means "to be ignorant," and πολλάκις (pollakis) means "many times." Paul uses these terms to state explicitly that his audience should not remain unaware of his frequent travel intentions.

The thread — The pattern of resolved but delayed travel matches Acts 19:21, where Paul plans to pass through Macedonia and Achaia. The agricultural metaphor for ministry results connects to Philippians 4:17 and 2 Timothy 4:17 regarding credited fruit and fully proclaimed messages.

Why it lands — The text states that prevented plans still serve a harvest among the Gentiles, requiring the reader to accept delayed timelines as functional rather than abandoned. It demands practical patience while recognizing that interrupted travel continues to produce spiritual yield.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Acts 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
Philippians 4:17 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
2 Corinthians 1:8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Acts 16:6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.
Romans 15:22 That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
1 Corinthians 10:1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea.
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.