Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 1:13

"And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles." — Romans 1:13 (ASV)

That oftentimes I purposed. See Romans 1:10. How often he had purposed this we have no means of ascertaining. The fact, however, that he had done it, showed his strong desire to see them and to witness the displays of the grace of God in the capital of the Roman world.

. One instance of his having purposed to go to Rome is recorded in Acts 19:21: After these things were ended (namely, at Ephesus), Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. This purpose, expressed in this manner in the epistle, and the Acts of the Apostles, has been shown by Dr. Paley (Horae Paulinae on Romans 1:13) to be one of those undesigned coincidences which strongly show that both books are genuine.

(Compare Romans 15:23-24 with Acts 19:21). A forger of these books would not have thought of such a contrivance as to feign such a purpose to go to Rome at that time, and to have mentioned it in that manner. Such coincidences are among the best proofs that can be demanded, that the writers did not intend to impose on the world. See Paley.

But was let hitherto. The word "let" means to hinder, or to obstruct. We do not know in what way this was done, but it is probable that he refers to the various opportunities for preaching the gospel where he had been, and to the obstructions of various kinds from the enemies of the gospel to the fulfillment of his purposes.

That I might have some fruit among you. This means that he might be instrumental in the conversion of sinners, and in the edification of the church, in the capital of the Roman empire. It was not curiosity to see the splendid capital of the world that prompted this desire; it was not the love of travel and of roaming from place to place; it was the specific purpose of doing good to the souls of men.

To have fruit means to obtain success in bringing people to the knowledge of Christ. Thus the Savior said (John 15:16), I have chosen you and ordained you, that you should bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.