Romans 1:13
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.
Paul wanted the Romans to know that he not only desired to visit them but had already made plans to do so several times. For some reason he was prevented from going to them. We don’t know why because he does not explain it. For His reasons, that we may never know, God will allow us to be hindered from serving Him in ways that we plan. When this happens we should simply continue to seek and serve Him, making other plans as we go. We must keep in mind that “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” (Prov. 19:9)
Paul’s motive for going to Rome was to produce “fruit” among them. This “fruit” would be increased spirituality among the current believers and new believers converted by his preaching of the gospel.
A gentile is anyone who is not of Israeli birth. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles. (Rom. 11:13) The other Apostles primary ministry was among the Jewish people. Paul’s ministry among the gentiles had already been fruitful and he desired to minister to the gentiles in Rome as well.
It is good to look for the way God works through us specifically and focus on serving Him in that way. “Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless.” (Ps. 127:1, NLT)
