“I do not want you to be unaware, 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
Paul had often intended to go to Rome to be with the church there. The word often seems to mean he had made frequent attempts but had been providentially hindered (prevented) from going to Rome on those occasions. One of those occasions was perhaps Claudias’ expelling of all Jews from the city.
While Paul is writing this letter to the Romans near the end of his third missionary journey (around AD 57 or so), historical records suggest that around AD 49 Claudius exiled the Jews from Rome because they were raising havoc over one named Chrestus (χριστος) [Suetonius].
In Acts 18:2 we learn Aquila and Pricilla were exiled from Rome by Claudius because they were Jews. By the time Paul writes this letter to the church at Rome, however, he sends them greeting; therefore, it is assumed they have returned.
This is likely why the church at Rome is predominantly Gentile by this point—many Jews had left the region—and Paul hopes to reap some harvest among them—as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
And being providentially hindered from going before is not a setback in Paul’s estimation because he serves at the pleasure of the Lord, not his own schedule or agenda.
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