“Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise” (Romans 1:13-14).
Much like Paul the Apostle’s standard introductory greeting of “grace and peace,” the phrase “I do not want you to be unaware” is one that occasionally reappears in Paul’s Biblical letters. In addition to what we read here in Romans 1:13, we can find similar references in Paul’s letters to the churches at Corinth and Thessalonica as a method of introducing a new and important subject.
The fact that Paul had often planned to visit Rome without success is one that should bring comfort when our own plans fail to come to fruition. For example, Paul’s experience tells us that it is not wrong to plan for the future. As we’re reminded in the Old Testament book of Proverbs, “Wise people think before they act; fools don’t–and even brag about their foolishness” (Proverbs 13:16 NLT).
Nevertheless, it’s possible to prayerfully establish a desired goal without success. In such instances, it requires faith to continue to trust in God when our plans result in less than we desire. While there may be some comfort in knowing that we share something in common with the great Apostle Paul when our plans fail to materialize, Paul also shows us the way to a proper response when our circumstances do not align with our desires.
The following commentary summarizes a key takeaway from this portion of Scripture…
“Paul does not demand that the Lord open up a way to come to Rome, and he even acknowledges in Romans 1:13 that providence has thus far hindered his journey. This is an excellent example of God-honoring prayer that is content with the will of our Creator but nevertheless keeps on asking, seeking, and knocking when one does not know what God’s will is. Paul wants to see the Romans, and he keeps praying to that end, all the while knowing that the Father may not grant that request.” (1)
Finally, this passage speaks of Paul’s sense of debt to those he encountered. We’ll examine these references to Greeks and barbarians in our next study, but for now, we can say that Paul felt an obligation to invest his God-given gifts in the lives of others. We can say the same regarding the talents, skills, blessings, and opportunities God has entrusted to us as well (see Matthew 25:14-30).
Image Attribution: Planning by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images
(1) Paul’s intent to visit Rome Ligonier Ministries. Published January 6, 2014. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/pauls-intent-visit-rome
This reference to a spiritual gift likely refers to an insight or blessing that Paul sought to share with the Roman fellowship. While “some” spiritual gift suggests that Paul may have been unaware of the gift he sought to impart, his desire to share it for the benefit of the church at Rome was certainly there. Since Paul 
This passage also marks the first appearance of the most significant word in this epistle: faith. One Biblical scholar highlights the various applications of this word as it appears here in the Book of Romans. For example, the word “faith” is used in three distinct ways…
So, Paul was called to be an apostle, but to what purpose? Well, that purpose is made clear in the verse quoted above where Paul tells us he was “set apart for the gospel of God.” This tells us that Paul was called to the apostolic mission of preaching the gospel (or “good news”) that…
As the capital of the Roman Empire, the city of Rome held a position of preeminence in the first-century world. From its central location in western Italy, Rome governed large portions of Europe, the near east, and north Africa during the New Testament era.
In the aftermath of any incident involving a large aircraft, a critical first step for investigators is to recover the flight data recorder, or “black box.” That device typically captures recordings of cockpit conversations, flight information, and environmental conditions that provide valuable insight into that aircraft’s journey. In a similar manner, the final chapter of the Biblical book of 2 Timothy serves as a kind of “black box” that offers insight into Paul the Apostle’s mindset as he neared the end of his earthly life.
First, Nero had self-acknowledged Christians arrested. Then, on their information, large numbers of others were condemned – not so much for incendiarism as for their anti-social tendencies. Their deaths were made farcical. Dressed in wild animals’ skins, they were torn to pieces by dogs, or crucified, or made into torches to be ignited after dark as substitutes for daylight. Nero provided his Gardens for the spectacle, and exhibited displays in the Circus, at which he mingled with the crowd – or stood in a chariot, dressed as a charioteer. 
Terrified, shrieking women, helpless old and young, people intent on their own safety, people unselfishly supporting invalids or waiting for them, fugitives and lingerers alike – all heightened the confusion. When people looked back, menacing flames sprang up before them or outflanked them. When they escaped to a neighboring quarter, the fire followed – even districts believed remote proved to be involved. Finally, with no idea where or what to flee, they crowded on to the country roads, or lay in the fields…
There, he was met by a man named Barnabas 
In addition, Paul spoke of his deep and abiding regard for two men named Titus and Timothy. For example, Paul referred to Timothy as “my own dearly loved son” (1 Timothy 1:2 Phillips) as well as “a beloved son” (2 Timothy 1:2), while characterizing Titus as, “a true son in the common faith” (Titus 1:4). This was typical of Paul’s ministry, for he clearly developed many close friendships over the course of his life. Consider the following comment to the members of the Corinthian church…
We’re 
Saul was born in the ancient city of Tarsus, likely during the early years of the first century. 
These verses also remind us that Jesus is certain to show up unexpectedly in the lives of those who fail to look for Him. Therefore, we should seek to cultivate an attitude and lifestyle that honors God and awaits Christ’s return whenever it may occur. In the meantime, Jesus presents us with an opportunity to make a difference in a world that desperately needs it. Thus, we should endeavor to take advantage of those opportunities in light of this cautionary message from Revelation 22:20.
With this in mind, it’s important to remember that the Biblical book of Revelation has challenged students and commentators for centuries. Despite the wide variety of theories and opinions surrounding this book, every person who engages with this portion of Scripture shares a common obligation: we must avoid any attempt to negate it, supplement it, or modify it to suit our preferences. The same holds true for the rest of the Biblical Scriptures. Those who attempt to do so are subject to the terrible penalties described here in the closing verses of chapter twenty-two.
Jesus makes use of a familiar, self-descriptive term here in Revelation 22:13: “Alpha and the Omega…” An identical self-description 
Although people in the New Testament era sometimes kept dogs as household pets, society commonly viewed them as scavengers and pests. As such, people did not regard dogs as “man’s best friend” during that period. This led to the use of the word “dog” as a derogatory term to describe an offensive individual. It also recalls the cautionary message regarding the city of God that appeared earlier in Revelation chapter twenty-one: “…nothing that is impure will enter the city, nor anyone who does shameful things or tells lies. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of the living will enter the city” (Revelation 21:27 GNT).
The Book of Revelation is a literary work that speaks to every human generation. Whether the events of this book are relatively close to fulfillment or reserved for the distant future, we can say that “…the time is at hand ” for everyone in some respect.
This recalls a similar question addressed earlier in Revelation chapter three, where Jesus gave the following message to the Biblical church of Philadelphia: “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:11). As mentioned previously, the word translated “soon” can mean “without delay.” However, the definition of this work also includes “by surprise” or “suddenly” as well. (1)
While there was a punitive aspect to God’s decision to banish Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, we should not overlook another facet of that judgment. By prohibiting access to the Tree of Life within the Garden, God eliminated the possibility that humanity might partake of that tree and remain perpetually estranged from Him. So, that decision contained an element of mercy as well.