Romans 1:10
in Romans 1in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto 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.
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This verse in Romans 1
Commentary
13 notes on this verseMaking request, if by any means now at length,.... A principal thing, which be incessantly and importunately requested at the throne of grace, was, that he might have an opportunity of coming to them; that God in his providence would open a way for him; and that he might have a safe and comfortable journey in a very little time; all which he submits to the will of God, as a good man ought to do; and which he thus expresses, I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God, to come unto you; see Jas 4:13.
This site's exposition
your faith is being proclaimed all over the world
on Romans 1:8-10
Paul opens with thanks before any correction. He thanks God for the Roman church's faith, proclaimed all over the world, in a congregation he had never seen. He calls God as his witness that he prays for them constantly, asking God to open the way for him to come.
This site's exposition
succeed in coming to you
Paul asks to come to Rome only by God's will, and Chrysostom sees his longing held in check by the fear of God. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note how the prayer was answered, some years later and in chains. He reached the city as a prisoner.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
A commentator
Theodoret of CyrusINTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS · Written before 458.
proposed
Paul does not simply say that he wants to come to Rome but adds that he wants to come in God's will. For when the salvation of so many people was at stake, St. Paul left nothing unclear but acknowledged God's will in his prayer, …
You see him painfully desiring to see them, and yet not enduring to see them contrary to what seemed good unto God, but having his longing mingled with the fear of God. For he loved them, and was eager to come to them. Yet he did not, because he loved them, desire to see them, contrary to what seemed good unto God. This is true love not as we love who err on both sides from the laws of love: for either we love no one, or if we ever do love, we love contrary to what seemeth good unto God, acting in both against the Divine law. And if these things be grievous when spoken of, they are more grievous when done. And how do we love contrary to what seems good to God? (you will say.) When we neglect Christ pining with hunger, and provide our children and friends and relations above their needs. Or rather what need to carry the subject further. For if any one will examine his own conscience, he will find that this takes place in many things. But such was not that blessed person, but he knew both how to love and to love as he ought, and as was fitting, and though exceeding all men in loving, he transgressed not the measures of love. See then two things thrive extremely in him, fear of God, and also longing towards the Romans. For to be praying continually, and not to desist when he obtained not, shows exceeding love. But while loving, thus to continue yielding to the will of God, shows intense reverence. In another place, however, having "thrice besought the Lord" (2 Cor. xii. 8), he not only did not receive, but on the contrary, when he did not receive, he was very thankful for not having been heard. So, in all things did he look to God. But here he received, though not when he asked, but after delay, and neither hereat was he discontented. And these things I mention that we may not repine at not being heard, or at being heard slowly. […]
A commentator
Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS · Written before 253.
proposed
In that he says that without ceasing he prays for those to whom he writes, mindful of his own command he fulfills in deed what he enjoins in word.
He shows the sense of his prayer for them; for he says that he asks God to come to the City for their benefit with the will of God, whose gift he preaches. Then the journey is at hand, if what is to be done …
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then he mentions the matter concerning which he calls God to witness when he says, that without ceasing I make a commemoration of you, i.e., because in his prayers he always prayed for them on account of the general benefits that arose from their conversion: …
5 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
Now he adds why he remembers them. "To come," he says, "to you." Pay attention: as much as he loved them, as strongly as he desired to see them, he nevertheless did not wish to see them against the will of God. But we either …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
): Making request, if by any means, &c. Whatever comfort we desire to find in any creature, we must have recourse to God for it by prayer; for our times are in his hand, and all our ways at his disposal.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Making request, etc. - By this we see how earnestly the apostle longed to see Rome. It had long been a subject of continual prayer to God, that he might have a prosperous journey to, or rather meeting with, them, for so we should understand the word ευοδωθησμαι· that he had a prosperous meeting with them we cannot doubt; that he had a disastrous journey to them the 27th of the Acts fully proves.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Ro 15:22; and see on Ac 19:21; Ac 28:15); insomuch that nearly a quarter of a century elapsed, after his conversion, ere his desire was accomplished, and that only as "a prisoner of Jesus Christ." Thus taught that his whole future was in the hands of God, he makes it his continual prayer that at length the obstacles to a happy and prosperous meeting might be removed.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Making request - It was his earnest desire to see them, and he presented the subject before God. If by any means - This shows the earnest desire which he had to see them, and implies that be had designed it, and had been hindered; see Rom 1:13. Now at length - He had purposed it a long time, but had been hindered. He doubtless cherished this purpose for years. The expressions in the Greek imply an earnest wish that this long-cherished purpose might be accomplished before long. A prosperous journey - A safe, pleasant journey. It is right to regard all success in traveling as depending on God, and to pray for success and safety from danger. Yet all such prayers are not answered according to the letter of the petition. The prayer of Paul that be might see the Romans was granted, but in a remarkable way. He was persecuted by the Jews, and arraigned before King Agrippa. He appealed to the Roman emperor, and was taken there in chains as a prisoner. Yet the journey might in this way have a more deep effect on the Romans, than if he had gone in any other way. In so mysterious a manner does God often hear the prayers of his people; and though their prayers are answered, yet it is in his own time and way; see the last chapters of the Acts . By the will of God - If God shall grant it; if God will by his mercy grant me the great favor of my coming to you. This is a proper model of a prayer; and is in accordance with the direction of the Bible; see Jas 4:14-15.
The words behind it
14 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| δεόμενος, | deomenos | [10] imploring, | G1189 → | |
| εἴ | ei | if | G1487 → | 508 times |
| πως | pos | somehow | G4458 → | 16 times |
| ἤδη | ede | now | G2235 → | 61 times |
| ποτὲ | pote | at last | G4218 → | 54 times |
| εὐοδωθήσομαι | euodothesomai | I will succeed | G2137 → | |
| ἐν | en | by | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῷ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θελήματι | thelemati | will | G2307 → | 62 times |
| τοῦ | tou | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεοῦ | theou | of God | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| ἐλθεῖν | elthein | to come | G2064 → | 628 times |
| πρὸς | pros | to | G4314 → | 700 times |
| ὑμᾶς· | humas | you; | G4771 → | 2973 times |
δεόμενος,[10] imploring,
deomenosG1189 →
εἴif
eiG1487 →508 times
πωςsomehow
posG4458 →16 times
ἤδηnow
edeG2235 →61 times
ποτὲat last
poteG4218 →54 times
εὐοδωθήσομαιI will succeed
euodothesomaiG2137 →
ἐνby
enG1722 →2738 times
τῷthe
toG3588 →19766 times
θελήματιwill
thelematiG2307 →62 times
τοῦ<the>
touG3588 →19766 times
θεοῦof God
theouG2316 →1312 times
ἐλθεῖνto come
eltheinG2064 →628 times
πρὸςto
prosG4314 →700 times
ὑμᾶς·you;
humasG4771 →2973 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
James 4:15Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
it leads to
- Hebrews 6:3
And this we will do, if God permits.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Lamentations 3:37
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?
- Acts 18:21
But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
- 1 Corinthians 16:7
For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
- Hebrews 6:3
Through
Acts 18:21But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 4:19
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
- James 4:15
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:19
Through
Philemon 1:22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Romans
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Romans; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, Commentary on Romans; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans 2; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS; Theodoret of Cyrus, INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Romans and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Romans.