1:13 Oftentimes I purposed to come un to you. See Ac 19:21. Thus far he has been hindered. He desired to visit Rome to do the Lord's work. He had planted Gentile churches in many cities. He wished to have some fruit in the greatest Gentile city in the world, as well as elsewhere.
1:13 Brethren - A frequent, holy, simple, sweet, and yet grand, appellation. The apostles but rarely address persons by their names; 'O ye Corinthians, O Timotheus. St. Paul generally uses this appellation, Brethren; sometimes in exhortation, My beloved, or, My beloved brethren; St. James, Brethren, My brethren, My beloved brethren; St. Peter and Jude always, Beloved; St. John frequently, Beloved; once, Brethren; oftener than once, My little children. Though I have been hindered hitherto - Either by business, see Rom 15:22; or persecution, 1Thes 2:2; or the Spirit, Acts 16:7. That I might have some fruit - Of my ministerial labours. Even as I have already had from the many churches I have planted and watered among the other gentiles.
1:8-15 We must show love for our friends, not only by praying for them, but by praising God for them. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must remember to say, If the Lord will, Jas 4:15. Our journeys are made prosperous or otherwise, according to the will of God. We should readily impart to others what God has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same things with us. If redeemed by the blood, and converted by the grace of the Lord Jesus, we are altogether his; and for his sake we are debtors to all men, to do all the good we can. Such services are our duty.
