Romans 1:13

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Translations

Romans 1:13 - Amplified Bible

I want you to know, brethren, that many times I have planned {and} intended to come to you, though thus far I have been hindered {and} prevented, in order that I might have some fruit (some result of my labors) among you, as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - American Standard Version

And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - Bible in Basic English

You may be certain, my brothers, that it has frequently been in my mind to come to you (but till now I was kept from it), so that I might have some fruit from you in the same way as I have had it from the other nations.

Romans 1:13 - Darby Bible

But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that I often proposed to come to you, (and have been hindered until the present time,) that I might have some fruit among you too, even as among the other nations also.

Romans 1:13 - English Standard Version

I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - 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.

Romans 1:13 - La Biblia de las Americas

Y no quiero que ignoréis, hermanos, que con frecuencia he hecho planes para ir a visitaros (y hasta ahora me he visto impedido) a fin de obtener algùn fruto también entre vosotros, asì como entre los demás gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - The Message

Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it. Everyone I meet—it matters little whether they’re mannered or rude, smart or simple—deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation. And that’s why I can’t wait to get to you in Rome, preaching this wonderful good news of God.

Romans 1:13 - New American Standard Bible

I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Y no quiero que ignoren, hermanos, que con frecuencia he hecho planes para ir a visitarlos, pero hasta ahora me he visto impedido, a fin de obtener algùn fruto también entre ustedes, asì como entre los demás Gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - World English Bible

Now I don`t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that often I planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:13 - Young's Living Translation

And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that many times I did purpose to come unto you -- and was hindered till the present time -- that some fruit I might have also among you, even as also among the other nations.

Romans 1:13 - Additional Comments

The Roman church was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Note that this church was not founded by Paul, as he had not yet been to Rome. Yet he still is drawn to them and has affection and concern for them as fellow believers.
There was a sizable population of Jews living in Rome in the first century. A little more than a century earlier, Pompey took many Jewish prisoners to Rome and resettled them there; many of their descendants were part of the Jewish population there in Paul's day. Cicero indicates that by the middle of the first century, there were many Jews in Rome, some of whom were citizens and elected to the popular assemblies. In the year 4, more than 8,000 Jews in Rome joined a delegation of fifty from Jerusalem sent to oppose the installation of Archaleus, Herod's son. This large number indicates that the Jewish population of Rome must have been significant. Jews in Rome, in spite of official actions taken against them, were able to gain enough influence among the ruling class as to find protection for their religious beliefs and practices. From funerary inscriptions found in the catacombs of Rome, it is clear that Jews in the city were divided into thirteen synagogues.
It seems that some of the many Jews in Rome came to believe in Jesus as the Christ. There is indirect evidence of this from Suetonius, the Roman historian.
This verse shows Paul's focus, his mission in life. His primary goals are not fellowship or socials, but he was focused on their growth, to see fruit in their lives. He wants his time with them to be profitable. When Paul spends time with people, fruit results. That's a result of prayer, and also him being bold in challenging them to draw near to God.
It's difficult to build fruit in others' lives unless you are building fruit in your own life. Your walk with God should be such that the fruit overflows in the lives of others.
Having fruit in others' lives is not just a call to preachers like Paul. This should be a critical part of every Christian's walk on this earth. Who is within your sphere of influence (e.g. family, work, neighbors, etc.)? How can you grow fruit in their lives?

Comments are closed.