Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 15:23
But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
23. place ] Evidently in the sense of opportunity.
parts ] regions. Same word as 2Co 11:10; Gal 1:21. He means, probably, in a large sense, Roman Europe east of the Adriatic; in which he had now “fulfilled” the Gospel.
a great desire ] The Gr. is the word that would be used of homesickness, or the like affectionate longings. See Rom 1:11.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But now … – Having no further opportunity in these regions to preach to those who have never heard the gospel.
In these parts – In the regions before specified. He had gone over them, had established churches, had left them in the care of elders Act 20:17, and was now prepared to penetrate into some new region, and lay the foundation of other churches.
And having a great desire … – See Rom 1:9-13.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. But-having no more place in these parts] Having nothing farther at present that I can do – for signifies not merely to have a place of residence, or the like, but convenience, opportunity; which is a frequent meaning of the phrase among the best Greek writers – having no large place or city, where Christianity has not yet been planted, in which I can introduce the Gospel. The apostle was then at Corinth; and having evangelized all those parts, he had no opportunity of breaking up any new ground.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Having given the reason why he came not to them hitherto, in the following words he assures them he would do it hereafter. And here he saith he was the more inclined so to do, first: Because he had no more place in those parts, i.e. as before, in those places where Christ had not been named, or his gospel preached, he had no new churches there to found, and he had ordained elders in every city to build upon his foundation. The word rendered parts, signifies climates; i.e. places which he on divers elevations of the pole. And then, secondly: Because he had long longed so to do, he had desired it for many years, Rom 1:10,11.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23, 24. But now having no moreplace“no longer having place”that is, unbrokenground, where Christ has not been preached.
and having a great desire“alonging”
these many years to come untoyou(as before, see on Ro1:9-11).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But now having no more place in these parts,…. Not because persecution was too hot for him, and therefore could not stay any longer, for this was what he expected everywhere; nor did it discourage him in his work, for he took pleasure in enduring it for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; but because he had fully preached the Gospel from Jerusalem, in his circuit to Illyricum, had filled every town and city with it, had planted churches in every place, and ordained elders over them, to whom the care and charge of them were committed; that there were no more places for him to preach in, but either where he himself had been already, or some other of the apostles; not but that he could have stayed with usefulness to these new formed churches, for the edifying and confirming of them, for the furtherance of the joy of faith in them, and for the defence of the Gospel and its ordinances among them; but his proper work as an apostle being to preach the Gospel to all nations, and where Christ was not named, and to plant churches; and there being no more room in these climates, or regions, for such service, he begins to think of some other places, particularly Spain, where as yet very probably the Gospel was not preached: however, he found himself at leisure to visit other places, and hereby gives the church at Rome some hopes of seeing him from this consideration, as well as from what follows:
and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; he had not only a desire, but a very vehement desire to come to them; he longed to see them, as he elsewhere says; so that since now he had leisure, they might hope it would not be long ere they did see him; especially as the thing had been upon his mind and thoughts for many years past; which shows that the Gospel had been preached very early at Rome, that many had been converted by it, and a church had been formed there some years ago, and was known to the apostle; on which account, having heard much of their faith and obedience, he had a longing desire of a great while to see them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Having no more any place in these regions ( ). Surprising frankness that the average preacher would hardly use on such a matter. Paul is now free to come to Rome because there is no demand for him where he is. For (from , to incline), slope, then tract of land, region, see already 2Cor 11:10; Gal 1:21 (the only N.T. examples).
A longing (). A hapax legomenon, elsewhere (2Cor 7:7; 2Cor 7:11), from as in Ro 1:11.
These many years ( ). “From considerable years.” So B C, but Aleph A D have , “from many years.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Place [] . Scope, opportunity. So of Esau, Heb 12:17. Compare Rom 12:19; Eph 4:27.
Many [] . See on worthy, Luk 7:6. The primary meaning is sufficient, and hence comes to be applied to number and quantity; many, enough, as Mr 10:46; Luk 8:32; Act 9:23, etc. So, long, of time (Act 8:11; Act 27:9). Worthy, i e., sufficient for an honor or a place (Mr 1:7; Luk 7:6; 1Co 14:9). Adequate (2Co 2:16; 2Co 3:5). Qualified (2Ti 2:2). Here the sense might be expressed by for years enough.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But now having no more place in these parts,” (nuni de meketi topon echon en tois klimasi toutois) “But now having or holding nor more a place (place of acceptance) in these regions”; no more pressing need for his presence and preaching in Corinth from which he wrote the book of Romans, 2Co 13:1.
2) “And having a desire” (epipothian de echon tou) “And having a desire of you,” which he had formerly mentioned, Rom 1:11; Rom 1:13-16. It was a desire expressed in the Greek term meaning a “homesick-longing”, or a homesick desire.
3) “These, many years to come unto you,” (elthein pros humas apo hikanon eton) “That is to come of my own choosing to (visit) you all for several years”; during the years of his round-about missionary journeys, Rom 15:19, from Jerusalem in Israel to Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea, Act 9:27-29; Act 19:21; Act 23:11. The term “many years” indicates that his desire was no new feeling but ‘a long recurring desire.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(23) But now having no more place.The work had been finished, so far as the Apostle was concerned, in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. The churches had been founded, and fairly set going; and now he felt it his duty to go on to new fields, his duty in this respect also falling in with his wishes, as it would bring him to Rome.
Place.Room for (new) working. The whole. ground had been already occupied.
Parts.A peculiar word from which our word climate is derived. The original idea appears to be the slope or inclination of the earth from the equator towards the pole. Hence a zone or region. The same word occurs in 2Co. 11:10; Gal. 1:21.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. His long-hindered visit to Rome will be on his way to Spain , Rom 15:22-33 .
23. No parts Corinth and southern Greece, where the apostle now was, had become old. Nay, by the whole east rumours of Christ had been heard. The apostle must look to the far West for virgin soil.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,’
But now things were different. He no longer had any place in these regions. This may have been because of the antagonism that his presence now aroused everywhere, especially because he was so hated by zealous Jews (Act 13:50; Act 14:19; Act 18:5-6; Act 19:9; Act 21:27 (‘Jews from Asia’). Note also Act 23:12-13; Act 24:1; Act 24:5; Act 24:9; Act 25:3), or it may have been because he had now handed on this responsibility to his trained lieutenants. Or indeed it may have been both. He may well have felt that the regions beyond were being catered for as a result of the activities of fellow-workers, and of the evangelistic outreach of the churches of Macedonia. They were no longer ‘virgin territory’. Whereas Spain was. (Although there is, in fact, no solid evidence that he ever reached Spain).
‘And having these many years a longing to come to you.’ He emphasises again how much he has longed to meet up with Christians in Rome, many of whom were his friends who had gone there before him. We need not doubt his sincerity in this. As the centre of the Empire Rome would necessarily appeal to Paul’s sense of responsibility as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rom 15:23-24 . [28] But since I have now no longer room (scope, i.e. opportunitatem , see on Rom 12:19 ; Kypke, II. p. 190) in these regions (from Jerusalem to Illyria, Rom 15:19 ). Paul had in all these countries founded churches, from which Christianity was now spreading through other teachers, and especially through his own disciples, over the whole; and consequently he considered his apostolic calling to be fulfilled in respect of the region mentioned. His further working was to belong to the far west, where Christ was not yet named; hence he meditated, in the next instance, transferring his activity in founding churches to Spain a design, indeed, which Lucht denies that the apostle entertained, and imputes it to a later conception of his task, in accordance with which the plan of a journey to Spain was invented . Probably the comprehensive maxim, that he had no longer a sphere of activity where Christianity might be planted at the principal places of a district by his personal exertions, was connected with the expectation of the nearness of the Parousia, before which the of the Gentiles, and in consequence of this also all Israel, had to be brought in (Rom 11:25 ).
] not summum desiderium (Beza), but see on Rom 4:11 . The word is not found elsewhere; but comp. , 2Co 7:7 .
] genitive dependent on .
. .] now for many years ; comp. Luk 8:43 .
] simulatque, so soon as . See on 1Co 11:34 ; Phi 2:23 . It is a more precise definition to what follows , not to the preceding (Hofmann), because otherwise Paul must have had in mind the plan of the journey to Spain for many years , which cannot be supposed either in itself or on account of Act 16:9 . This applies also against Tischendorf in his 8th edition.
] The usual Greek name is (Herod. i. 163; Strabo, iii. 4. 17, p. 166), but (although in the passages in Athenaeus and Diodorus Siculus the variation is found) was probably also not rare, and that as a Greek form (Casaubon, ad Athen . p. 574). The Roman form was ( 1Ma 8:3 ). It is the entire Pyrenaean peninsula . See Strabo, l.c.
That this project of a journey to Spain was not executed, see Introd . 1. Primasius aptly remarks: “Promiserat quidem, sed dispensante Deo non ambulavit.” Already at Act 20:25 a quite different certainty was before the apostle’s mind, and in his captivity he no longer entertained that plan of travel, Phm 1:22 , Phi 2:24 .
.] “quia Romae jam fundata est fides,” Bengel.
] (see the critical notes): from you away .
. ] comp. 1Co 16:6 , 2Co 1:16 , and on Act 15:3 . As was his wont on his apostolical journeys, Paul hoped (“quasi pro jure suo,” Bengel) to obtain an accompaniment on the part of some belonging to the church from Rome to Spain, by which we must understand an escort all the way thither , since Paul would without doubt travel by sea from Italy to Spain, the shortest and quickest way. , in the sense of , according to a well-known attraction. See Joh 11:8 , et al ., and on Mat 2:22 .
.] “non quantum vellem, sed quantum licebit,” Grotius. It is a limitation out of compliment . Comp. Chrysostom. But the reservation of later complete enjoyment (Hofmann) is an idea imported: denotes in the first place (before I travel further), as Mat 6:33 ; Mat 7:5 ; Mat 8:21 , and frequently.
] of spiritual satisfaction through the enjoyment of the longed-for personal intercourse ( ). Comp. Hom. Il . xi. 452; Kypke, II. p. 191. The commentary on this is given at Rom 1:12 .
[28] With the omission of after , and of after (see the critical notes), the course of the passage flows on simply, so that , ver. 23, is connected with , and all that intervenes is parenthetical. If . only be struck out and the be retained, with Lachmann, Hofmann, Tischendorf, 8, a striking interruption of the construction results. To parenthesize (Lachmann, followed by Buttmann, l.c. p. 252, comp. also Hofmann) is not suitable to the contents of the continuation, ver. 25. Ewald extends the parentheses from even to , ver. 27. But considering the entirely calm tenor of the whole passage, the probability of such large parentheses, with all their intermediate clauses, is just as slight as the probability of an anacoluthia (Tisch. 8).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
Ver. 23. These many years ] The Romans were converted to the faith betimes. Some of them were “in Christ before Paul,”Rom 16:7Rom 16:7 . Christ made haste also to convert England, whose religion before was tristissimum superstitionum chaos (as Camden hath it), a most sad chaos of superstitions. Sabellicus testifieth that Brittany was the first of all the provinces that publicly professed Christ. And as we were the first that took upon us the yoke of Papal tyranny (so that England was called the Pope’s Ass), so were we the first that shook it off again.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23. ] . . , I have no more occasion , viz. of apostolic work.
The participial construction prevails throughout, the participles standing as direct verbs. This not having been seen, the words have been inserted to fill up what seemed an aposiopesis. Now, however, I have no longer any business in these parts, but have had for many years past a desire to see you, whenever (as soon as) I journey into Spain . Respecting the question whether this journey into Spain was ever taken, the views of Commentators have differed, according to their conclusion respecting the liberation of the Apostle from his imprisonment at Rome. I have discussed this in the Prolegg. to the Pastoral Epistles, ii. The reader may see, on the side of the completion of the journey , Neander, Pfl. u. Leit., Exo 4 , pp. 527 552, and on the other side, Dr. Davidson, Introd. to N. T. vol. ii. pp. 96 132, and Wieseler, Chron. der Apost. Zeitalt., Excursus I., where a copious list of books on both sides is given.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Rom 15:23 . : but now the sentence thus begun is interrupted by and never finished, for the words in T.R. are an interpolation. : not that every soul was converted, but that the Apostolic function of laying foundations had been sufficiently discharged over the area in question. is only found in the plural in N.T. 2Co 11:10 , Gal 1:21 . : here only in N.T. : the desire dated “from a good many years back”. Cf. , Rom 1:20 , Act 15:7 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
no more = no longer. Greek. meketi. App-105.
parts = regions. 2Co 11:10. Gal 1:1, Gal 1:21.
great desire. Greek. epipothia. Only here.
these = from (App-104.)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23.] . . , I have no more occasion, viz. of apostolic work.
The participial construction prevails throughout, the participles standing as direct verbs. This not having been seen, the words have been inserted to fill up what seemed an aposiopesis. Now, however, I have no longer any business in these parts, but have had for many years past a desire to see you, whenever (as soon as) I journey into Spain. Respecting the question whether this journey into Spain was ever taken, the views of Commentators have differed, according to their conclusion respecting the liberation of the Apostle from his imprisonment at Rome. I have discussed this in the Prolegg. to the Pastoral Epistles, ii. The reader may see, on the side of the completion of the journey, Neander, Pfl. u. Leit., ed. 4, pp. 527-552,-and on the other side, Dr. Davidson, Introd. to N. T. vol. ii. pp. 96-132, and Wieseler, Chron. der Apost. Zeitalt., Excursus I., where a copious list of books on both sides is given.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 15:23. , regions) This term is applied in contradistinction to the political divisions of the world; for the Gospel does not usually follow such divisions; even the fruit of the Reformation at a very early period had an existence beyond Germany.- ) This signifies something more than .[160]
[160] The former implies a lasting state of mind: the latter, a feeling for the time being.-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 15:23
Rom 15:23
But now, having no more any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you,-But the gospel having been proclaimed in all the regions around Corinth by Paul and his fellow laborers, he was now ready to visit them at Rome, as he had for many years desired to do.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
and: Rom 15:32, Rom 1:10-12, 1Th 3:10, 2Ti 1:4
Reciprocal: Act 19:21 – I must Act 20:25 – I know Rom 1:11 – I long Rom 1:13 – that oftentimes Phi 3:13 – and reaching 1Th 2:17 – endeavoured
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
:23
Rom 15:23. Having no more place in these parts denotes the field had ‘been “worked out,” so he was free to go elsewhere in his labors.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 15:23-24. The construction of these verses occasions much difficulty, which was relieved by the insertion of the clause (Rom 15:24): I will come to you, to complete the sense; decisive authority proving the words to be an interpolation. Another attempt to relieve the abruptness was made by omitting for in the same verse; but here too the weightiest evidence is against the easier reading. We are compelled then to accept a broken construction as follows: But now no more having place in these parts, and having these many years a longing to come unto you, whensoever I journey into Spain (for I hope, as I am journeying through, to see you, and to be sent forward thither by you, if first I be in some measure filled with your company)
but now, etc. The sense would be the same, if the participles of Rom 15:23 were rendered as verbs, and a period placed after the word Spain.
But now. The Apostle begins to say that the main hindrance is removed; in Rom 15:25 he states the special reason for delay.
Having place. Opportunity to carry out his principle of labor.
In these parts; spoken of in Rom 15:19.
Whensoever I journey into Spain. Paul does not use the common Greek name for Spain (Iberia), nor even the exact Latin one. Whether this purpose was ever fulfilled is unknown, and immaterial as respects the visit to Rome in which Gods purpose, not Pauls, was carried out in the actual visit to the imperial city.
Hope; not, trust.
As I am journeying through. This qualifies both the following clauses.
And to be sent forward thither by you. (Some authorities read: from you). He hoped to obtain companions, and doubtless other friendly furtherance.
In some measure; not as much as I will, but as much as is permitted (Grotius). Not merely complimentary.
Filled with your company. Spiritual satisfaction through the enjoyment of the longed-for personal intercourse (Meyer).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Rom 15:23-24. But now, having no more place in these parts Where Christ has now been preached in every city; and having a great desire On various accounts; to come to you I will attempt to put it in execution. Whensoever At whatever time; I take my journey into Spain Greek, , if I go into Spain; I will come to you Namely, if God shall so permit. But this zealous design, it seems, was hindered by his imprisonment. It appears probable, from hence, considering the principle that Paul chose to govern himself by, of not building on another mans foundation, that no apostle had yet planted any church in Spain. For I trust I hope; to see you in my journey thither But he was not assured hereof by any divine revelation. Indeed this, among other instances, is a proof that, in speaking of what he meant to do afterward, the apostle did not make known any determinations of God revealed to him by the Spirit, but his own resolutions and opinions only. For there is no evidence that he ever went to Spain. And be brought on my way thitherward by you By some of your church; if first I be somewhat filled Satisfied and refreshed; with your company Your society and fellowship. The Greek is only, with you. How remarkable is the modesty with which he speaks! They might rather desire to be satisfied with his company. He says, somewhat satisfied, intimating the shortness of his stay, or perhaps that the presence of Christ alone can thoroughly satisfy the soul.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Vv. 23, 24. Yet, agreeably to the principle expounded Rom 15:20-21, his journey to Rome will not, strictly speaking, be a mission, but rather a visit as it were in passing, for the church already exists in this capital. When, Act 19:21, Paul at Ephesus was forming his plans for the future, it indeed was to Rome that he wished to proceed; but afterward he had no doubt heard of the foundation of a church in that city, and therefore he now no longer says: to Rome, but: to Spain by way of Rome. The unevangelized country, Spain, is the goal (the ); Rome is now only the way (the ). Yet it would be easy to go directly by sea from Asia to Spain. But this is what he will take good care not to do, for he hungers and thirsts to enter into personal communication with the Christians of Rome, and he will make a detour to visit them in passing. Such is the perfectly obvious meaning of these two verses.
The text of Rom 15:24 comes to us in three forms. The T. R. and the Byzs. read after the words: into Spain, a principal clause: I will come to you; which leads them to add a for with the following verb: for I trust. The clause is simple, the sense clear; only these words: I will come to you, are wanting in the documents of the two other texts.
The Alex. is much less intelligible. It begins at Rom 15:23 with two participles: having no more place…but having the desire…; then it continues with a subordinate proposition: when I shall go into Spain; and instead of the principal verb expected, it closes by saying: for I hope to see you in passing…; and in Rom 15:25 : now then I go to Jerusalem. There would be but one way of justifying this text, to make a long parenthesis from: for I trust, to the end of the verse, and to find the principal verb on which the two participles of Rom 15:23 depend in Rom 15:25 : now I go to Jerusalem. But this would require us to reject the , but or now, at the beginning of Rom 15:25, contrary to the authority of all the documents; then, there is no logical relation between the idea of these two participles: having no more place, having the desire to come to you, and the verb: I go to Jerusalem. To render this reading admissible, it is absolutely necessary to reject the , for, after , I trust, and thus to make this the principal verb.
This is precisely what is done by the Greco-Lat. reading, which is supported by the ancient Syriac version. This is not the only time that the Greco-Latin text has the superiority over the other two. We have already met with some similar cases in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 13:1, for example), and we beg the reader specially to compare 1Co 9:10, which is not intelligible except in the form preserved by the Greco-Latin documents. The meaning which we get by means of this text is faultless: Having no more place…, but having the desire to see you…, when I go into Spain, I hope to see you in passing.
The in alludes to the idea that Rome will only be a place of rest and passage; the reason of this has been explained. The church is already founded there.
The verb , to be conducted farther, contains these two ideas: to be accompanied by some of theirs, and to be provided with everything necessary for the journey; comp. Tit 3:13 and 3Jn 1:6.
The reading , by you, which contains the idea of the solicitude of the Romans about Paul, is much to be preferred to the reading , from among you, which makes the church only a point of departure., the adverb of rest, is used, as it often is, instead of , the adverb of motion; the goal is considered as reached: to go thither and be there. Comp. Joh 11:8., literally to saturate himself with them, a very lively expression of the need he feels to make their personal acquaintance, and of the pleasure which this relation will bring him; comp. Rom 1:12. The word somewhat is not a poor compliment which he pays to the Romans, as if he meant to say that his stay among them will only half satisfy him; Paul means, on the contrary, that he will never see them enough to satisfy completely the want he feels of spiritual communion with them.
Baur suspects this whole passage, for the reason that this journey to Spain is a pure fiction; a notion, the realization of which is wholly without attestation. But the Fragment of Muratori says expressly: the departure of Paul, setting out from Rome to Spain. For the very reason, answers Hilgenfeld, that this journey never took place, a forger would not have mentioned it. And without examining the question of fact, how is it possible to prove that Paul could not have formed such a project, which corresponded so well with his noble ambition, even though he had not been able to realize it?
But before setting out for the west, the apostle has yet a task to fulfil; he proposes to seal by a solemn act the union between the two portions of the church in that part of the world which he is about to leave. Such is the object of a last visit which he yet reckons on making to Jerusalem. He must transmit to the mother church of Jerusalem, on behalf of the churches of Greece, the fruits of a collection which they have made spontaneously for it. The apostle is concerned to inform the Christians of Rome on this point, not only because this journey will detain him some time yet in the east, but especially because it may involve him in dangers, and because he has a request to address to them in this relation. Such are the perfectly natural contents of the end of the chapter.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
but now, having no more any place [territory where Christ is not known] in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come unto you [Because of the many benighted places in the unevangelized east, I have hitherto been held back from visiting you, but now the work here being finished, leaving me free, I find the very principle which once detained me in the east now impels me to seek those of the west, thus permitting me to visit you in passing (comp. Rom 1:11; 1Th 3:6; 2Co 7:7-11; Phi 1:8), and I purpose to so do. As Rome was a place already founded in Christ, Paul’s principle limited his stay there to a mere visit, but as it was the center of all influence in his Gentile field, it was fitting that it rest under his instruction. To compass this instruction Paul wrote this Epistle],
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
23. But now having no longer a place in these regions, and having a desire to come to you for many years.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 23
No more place; that is, none specially requiring his presence and labors.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
The apostle felt that the Christians in the areas he had evangelized were in a good position to carry on the propagation of the gospel in their territories. Consequently he believed that he could look to comparatively unreached fields farther to the west in what is now Europe (cf. Rom 1:11-12).
"Parts of Spain (which in the ancient world included all the Iberian peninsula) had been occupied by Rome since about 200 B.C.; but it was only in Paul’s lifetime that the Romans had fully organized the entire area." [Note: Moo, p. 900. See also The New Bible Dictionary, 1962 ed., s.v. "Spain," by A. F. Walls.]