Romans 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

NIV: in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

NASB: always in my prayers requesting if perhaps now, at last by the will of God, I will succeed in coming to you.

CSB: always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God's will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

NLT: One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.

KJV: Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

NKJV: making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

Concluding his thought from the previous verse, Paul now reveals what it is that he prays when he mentions his readers to God. Paul asks God to allow him to visit Rome. Apparently, traveling to Rome and seeing these people in person is something Paul has longed to do for quite some time. In fact, it sounds if he has set out to come to them previously before being prevented in some way.

Paul again models for us how to pray, in this case for something that you deeply wish to happen. He asks God if it may come to pass by God's will. Paul recognizes that the circumstances of his life, including where he will or will not go on his travels, is not something that is within his control alone. It must also be God's will in order for something like this to come to pass. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul will offer an example of something for which he prayed, and which God declined (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).

Paul prays earnestly, regularly ("without ceasing"), and submissively for what he wants, waiting to see if God will allow for it to happen.

Romans 1:8–15 contains Paul's description to the Roman Christians of his longing to travel to Rome to be with them. He prays continually that he may be allowed by God to come. He wants to give to them a spiritual gift and for them to mutually encourage each other's faith. Part of his reason for wanting to come to them is that his mission in life is to carry the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, many of whom are represented in Rome.

Romans 1 introduces Paul and his purpose in writing this letter to the Christians in Rome. As servant and apostle of Jesus, Paul's mission in life is to preach the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, both Jews and Gentiles. He hopes to do so in Rome soon. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. It is God's power for the salvation of all people by faith in Christ. We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead. In response, God has given us over to indulge in all kinds of sinful practices that lead to misery now and His angry judgment later.

Romans 1 begins with Paul's introduction of himself and his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After telling the Christians in Rome that he is eager to come see them and preach the gospel there, Paul declares that the gospel is God's power to save everyone who believes in Jesus. We need to be saved, because our sin has earned God's wrath. As a whole, humanity has rejected God as creator and provider. We worship creation instead of Him. In response, He has given us over to the full indulgence of our sinful desires. We are guilty and deserve His judgment.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 5/1/2024 11:18:41 PM