But I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was held back until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other nations.
Truth to Learn
Paul had intended to visit Rome several times, but it wasn’t yet part of God’s plan for Paul.
Behind the Words
The word “ignorant” is translated from agnoeō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and noeō, meaning “to perceive” or “to understand.” Therefore, we can see that agnoeō means “ignorant or unaware.”
“Planned” is from the Greek word protithēmi, composed of pro, meaning “before, in time or location” and tithēmi, meaning “to place.” It means “to place before, in the mind.” In other words, it means “to give thought to ahead of time, to intend, or to plan ahead of time.”
The words “held back” are from the Greek verb kōluō, meaning “to hinder, weaken, prevent, or restrain.”
Meaning Explained
I really enjoy the tenderness that Paul shows toward other believers. He could easily have started off this verse with, “You, brothers and sisters, are ignorant of the fact that I have often intended to come visit you …” but in such matters he is much kinder. He says, “I do not want you to be ignorant.” The implication is very clear, they were ignorant, and he didn’t want that to be the case.
Paul had wanted to visit Rome for some time, and apparently had made plans to do so on numerous other occasions, but he was prevented from doing so. We don’t know specifically what hindered Paul. It is likely that it simply wasn’t God’s timing.
His reason for wanting to be with the Roman Christians, as we said earlier, was to share a spiritual gift, probably a message of strengthening and encouragement. He elaborates a little more on his reason for wanting to come in today’s verse, “that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among other nations.” Paul was not looking to share a plate of dried figs with them, that’s not the type of fruit that he is talking about. He’s talking about the fruit that comes about as a result of the Spirit of God working in people’s hearts.
You will notice that Paul’s objective is to do that which will ultimately bring praise to God, not what will ultimately bring praise to Paul. This Paul is dramatically different from Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted Christians for personal gain and because of personal zeal. He is still a zealot, but now that zeal is focused on the work of God rather than on the work of Paul.
Application
Are you a zealot today? Is there something that you are so totally committed to that you place it above all else in your life? If so, what is it? Is it your children? Is it your business? Is it your husband or your wife? Is it your health? Is it your retirement? These are all good things to be zealous about, but they are all the wrong things if you’re not first zealous about serving God, and doing so His way.
It’s good to be committed to a cause but don’t let that commitment take you in a direction other than where God wants you to go!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved