Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 1:10

"making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you." — Romans 1:10 (ASV)

Making request. It was his earnest desire to see them, and he presented the subject before God.

If by any means. This shows his earnest desire to see them and implies that he had intended it but had been hindered. See Romans 1:13.

Now at length. He had intended it for 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 soon.

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 he 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 profound effect on the Romans than if he had gone in any other way. In such a mysterious manner God often hears the prayers of his people; and though their prayers are answered, it is in his own time and way. See the last chapters of Acts.

By the will of God. If God grants it; if God wills, and by his mercy grants 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 James 4:14-15.