Romans 15 23

Romans 15:23 kjv

But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

Romans 15:23 nkjv

But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,

Romans 15:23 niv

But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,

Romans 15:23 esv

But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,

Romans 15:23 nlt

But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 23 Meaning

Romans 15:23 signifies a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's missionary strategy and personal aspirations. It communicates that his foundational ministry in the eastern regions of the Roman Empire, stretching from Jerusalem to Illyricum, had reached a stage of completion, thus freeing him from the need to remain in those "parts." Simultaneously, Paul expresses a profound and long-standing yearning to visit the believers in Rome. This verse explains the shift in his apostolic focus, setting the stage for his subsequent journey westwards, including his long-anticipated stop in Rome, before pushing on to Spain. It reflects his commitment to pioneering the gospel while also fostering deep spiritual fellowship with established churches.

Romans 15 23 Context

Romans 15:23 occurs near the end of Paul's epistle, where he transitions from theological instruction and exhortations on unity to explaining his personal travel plans and missionary strategy. Preceding this verse, Paul articulates his calling to minister to the Gentiles and his guiding principle of not building on another's foundation (Romans 15:20-22). His extensive work in the Eastern Roman Empire (from Jerusalem to Illyricum) meant he had completed the initial pioneering phase of ministry in those regions. Therefore, he was no longer bound by the necessity to stay there. This verse is immediately followed by the specific detailing of his plan to first go to Jerusalem, then journey to Rome, and finally to Spain (Romans 15:24-28). The broader chapter context highlights Paul's desire for unity within the church, demonstrating that his missionary endeavors were deeply interconnected with the spiritual well-being of the entire body of Christ, especially as the gospel extended to new Gentile frontiers, further affirming God's plan for Gentile inclusion.

Romans 15 23 Word analysis

• But now (νυνὶ δὲ - nyni de):
  • νυνὶ (nyni): An adverb meaning "now" or "at present."
  • δὲ (de): A particle indicating a transition, contrast, or emphasis, often translated as "but," "and," or "moreover."
  • Significance: Denotes a change in circumstances or a shift in the immediate context of Paul's missionary thinking, contrasting with the prior reasons for his delayed visit. It sets up a new situation for his travel plans.
• having no more place (μηκέτι τόπον ἔχων - meketi topon echōn):
  • μηκέτι (meketi): Adverb meaning "no longer" or "no more."
  • τόπον (topon): Noun, "place" or "opportunity." In this context, it refers not to physical space but to the specific scope of his pioneering apostolic ministry, a sphere of foundational evangelism.
  • ἔχων (echōn): Participle of ἔχω (echō), "having."
  • Significance: Paul implies his unique calling—to be a pioneer missionary establishing new church plants where Christ had not been named—had been largely fulfilled in the eastern provinces. His work there was complete in terms of laying the initial gospel foundation, making him available for new endeavors.
• in these parts (ἐν τοῖς κλίμασι τούτοις - en tois klimasi toutois):
  • ἐν (en): Preposition "in" or "among."
  • τοῖς κλίμασι (tois klimasi): Dative plural of κλίμα (klima), meaning "regions," "districts," or "zones." This refers to the broad geographical area Paul had ministered in, as mentioned in verse 19 (from Jerusalem to Illyricum).
  • τούτοις (toutois): Demonstrative pronoun "these."
  • Significance: Precisely defines the geographical scope of Paul's completed ministry, indicating that his intensive, foundational work had covered major strategic centers in these areas.
• and having (δὲ ἔχων - de echōn):
  • Connects the two parts of the sentence, highlighting the concurrent reality of his finished work in the East and his ongoing desire for the West.
• for many years (ἀπὸ πολλῶν ἐτῶν - apo pollōn etōn):
  • ἀπὸ (apo): Preposition "from," here denoting duration "for."
  • πολλῶν (pollōn): Adjective "many."
  • ἐτῶν (etōn): Noun "years."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the deep-rooted and enduring nature of Paul's longing to visit Rome. It wasn't a fleeting impulse but a persistent, Spirit-given desire over a significant period, reinforcing its authenticity.
• a great desire (ἐπιποθίαν - epipothian):
  • ἐπιποθία (epipothia): A strong noun meaning "intense longing," "earnest desire," "yearning." It is a fervent, often deeply emotional, yearning for something.
  • Significance: This word communicates the profound passion Paul had for spiritual connection and fellowship with the Roman believers. It goes beyond a simple wish, reflecting a heart commitment to edify and be edified, consistent with his longing in Rom 1:11-12.
• to come to you (τοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς - tou elthein pros hymas):
  • τοῦ ἐλθεῖν (tou elthein): The infinitive phrase "to come."
  • πρὸς ὑμᾶς (pros hymas): Prepositional phrase "to you all," specifically addressing the Roman Christians.
  • Significance: Directly states the object of his intense longing, confirming his personal, apostolic interest in the church at Rome.

Words-group analysis:

• "But now having no more place in these parts": This phrase encapsulates Paul's strategic understanding of his apostolic mandate. He was driven by a commitment to evangelize new, unreached territories. "No more place" signifies that he perceived the foundational work of preaching Christ and establishing churches in the vast Eastern Mediterranean regions to be substantially completed, paving the way for a change of geographical focus.
• "and having for many years a great desire to come to you": This segment reveals the powerful personal and spiritual motivation behind Paul's missionary endeavors. His ministry was not purely systematic; it was also fueled by an ardent love for fellow believers and a deep yearning for mutual encouragement and spiritual fellowship. The phrase "for many years" underscores the depth and enduring quality of this Spirit-implanted desire, confirming its authenticity.

Romans 15 23 Bonus section

• Paul's sense of "completion" for his ministry in the East should be understood in light of his specific calling to be a pioneer apostle, not that every individual within that vast geographical expanse had heard the gospel or become a convert. His strategy was to plant churches in key urban centers, equipping them to continue local evangelization.
• The persistence of Paul's desire for Rome over "many years" suggests it was a divine prompting, an anticipation orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, aligning with his eventual, though difficult, arrival in Rome as recounted in Acts.
• This verse indirectly sets up the critical missionary role of Rome itself. Paul didn't just want to visit; he intended for the strong, established church in the imperial capital to potentially serve as a sending base and support for his envisioned mission further west into Spain.

Romans 15 23 Commentary

Romans 15:23 serves as a pivotal summary of Paul's past ministry, current status, and future trajectory. It succinctly explains why he was finally able to turn his long-held attention toward Rome. His declaration of "no more place in these parts" isn't a statement of exhaustion or failure, but a testament to the remarkable success and thoroughness of his foundational evangelistic efforts across the vast swaths of the Eastern Roman Empire, from Jerusalem to Illyricum. Paul diligently followed his self-imposed apostolic principle: to preach the gospel where Christ had not been named, thereby fulfilling a distinct calling rather than building on others' foundations (Romans 15:20). With this phase accomplished, his vision now encompassed the western frontiers of the known world, with Rome being a strategic hub and a necessary stop. His "great desire to come to you for many years" underscores the profound, spiritual yearning he felt for fellowship, for imparting and receiving spiritual gifts, and for strengthening the believers in the imperial capital, viewing it as a launching point for missions into new territories like Spain (Romans 15:28). The verse beautifully intertwines apostolic strategy with deep personal connection and spiritual longing.