Romans Chapter 1 Vs. 13

Establishing Rapport

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. Rom 1:13

Now I would not have you ignorant] Six things he did not want people to be ignorant of (Rom. 11:25; 1Cor. 10:1; 12:1; 2Cor. 1:8; 1Thes. 4:13).

(but was let... Was hindered (cp. 2Thes. 2:7).

Paul had felt even when he was at Ephesus, and Corinth, that God wanted him to go to Rome. He had desired from the beginning of his missionary journeys to go to his father's people, the Romans, and minister to them. Rome was a center of trade, and if the gospel of Jesus Christ could be established in Rome it could affect all of Europe.

Paul explains here, that he must continue to minister to the other Gentiles God has sent him to, until he gets to Rome.

Scripture catalogs 3 kinds of spiritual fruit:

1. Spiritual attitudes that characterize a Spirit led believer,

2. Righteous actions,

3. New converts.

In this context, Paul is probably referring to the third one, a desire that was eventually realized during his imprisonment in Rome.