Paul's Desire to Visit Rome in Romans 1
In Romans 1:15, Paul expresses his strong desire to preach the gospel in Rome, stating, "For which reason I have the desire, as far as I am able, to give the knowledge of the good news to you who are in Rome" (BBE) [1]. This declaration is part of Paul's introductory remarks in his letter to the Roman Christians, where he establishes his apostolic authority and his mission to spread the Good News of God [2, 8].
Paul's desire to visit Rome was not a new or sudden impulse. Earlier in his ministry, after significant work in Ephesus, he "purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, After I have been there I must see Rome also" (Acts 19:21, Darby) [3]. This indicates a long-standing intention to extend his ministry to the imperial capital [9]. Commentators like Matthew Henry note that Paul was a man of "vast designs for God," aiming to make his influence as widespread as possible [7]. Adam Clarke suggests that Paul had "concerted a journey to Macedonia, and a visit to Corinth," before planning to go to Jerusalem, with Rome being a subsequent, long-desired destination [9].
The apostle's motivation for visiting Rome was primarily evangelistic. He wished to "impart to them some spiritual gifts" [8]. This aligns with his self-understanding as "a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God" [2]. His mission was to bear witness to Christ, and Rome, as a major center, was a crucial location for this testimony [12]. The Tyndale House commentary on Acts highlights that Paul's conviction that he "must see Rome" was a recurring theme, appearing in Acts 19:21, 23:11, 27:24, and Romans 1:13-15, 15:22-29 [10].
While Paul clearly expressed his desire to visit Rome, the circumstances of his eventual arrival were different from his initial plans. He ultimately arrived in Rome as a prisoner, appealing to Caesar [5, 11]. Despite this, the divine assurance that he would bear witness in Rome was a source of comfort to him during his trials [12].
Paul's broader missionary strategy included reaching beyond Rome. In Romans 15:24 and 28, he expresses an intention to visit Spain [4]. Although there is no definitive biblical evidence that he fulfilled this particular ambition, some traditions suggest he may have done so between his first and second imprisonments [4]. This further illustrates the expansive nature of Paul's apostolic vision, which saw Rome not as an endpoint, but as a significant hub for further outreach.
The language Paul uses to express his desire to visit Rome is notable. Matthew Henry observes that even in discussing a common matter like visiting friends, Paul's "manner of expression is gracious and savoury, very instructive, and for our imitation" [6]. This suggests that Paul's deep spiritual commitment permeated even his everyday communications, reflecting his identity as one "set apart for the Good News of God" [2, 6].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 1:15 (BBE) — For which reason I have the desire, as far as I am able, to give the knowledge of the good news to you who are in Rome.”
- Romans “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, -- Romans 1:1”
- Acts “Acts 19:21 (Darby) — And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, After I have been there I must see Rome also.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Spain — Paul expresses his intention (Rom. 15:24, 28) to visit Spain. There is, however, no evidence that he ever carried it into effect, although some think that he probably did so between his first and second imprisonment. (See [605]TARSHISH.)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philemon, The Epistle Of Paul To — is one of the letters which the apostle wrote during his first captivity at Rome A.D. 63 or early in A.D. 64. Nothing is wanted to confirm the genuineness of the epistle: the external testimony is unimpeachable; nor does the epistle itself offer anything to conflict with this decision. The occasion of the letter was that Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, had run away from him to Rome, either desiring liberty or, as some suppose, having committed theft. (Philemon 1:18) Here he was converted under the instrumentality of Paul. The latter; ”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 15:22: St. Paul here declares his purpose to come and see the Christians at Rome. Upon this head his matter is but common and ordinary, appointing a visit to his friends; but the manner of his expression is gracious and savoury, very instructive, and for our imitation. We should learn by it to speak of our common affairs in the language of Canaan. Even our common discourse should have an air of grace; by this it will appear what country we belong to. it should seem that Paul's company was very much desired at Rome. He was a man that had as many friends and as many enemi”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 19:21: I. Paul is here brought into some trouble at Ephesus, just when he is forecasting to go thence, and to cut out work for himself elsewhere. See here, 1. How he laid his purpose of going to other places, Act 19:21, Act 19:22. He was a man of vast designs for God, and was for making his influences as widely diffusive as might be. Having spent above two years at Ephesus, (1.) He designed a visit to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, especially of Philippi and Corinth, the chief cities of those provinces, Act 19:21. There he had planted churches, and now is concerned”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 1 (introduction): St. Paul shows the Romans his Divine call to the apostleship, and for what end he was thus called, Rom 1:1-6. His salutation to the Church at Rome, and his commendation of their faith, Rom 1:7, Rom 1:8. His earnest desire to see them, that he might impart to them some spiritual gifts, Rom 1:9-15. His description of the Gospel of Christ, Rom 1:16, Rom 1:17. The crimes and profligacy of the Gentile world, which called aloud for the judgments of God, Rom 1:18-32. Preliminary Observations Different interpreters have divided this epistle into certain parts or”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 19:21: Paul purposed in the spirit, etc. - Previously to this he appears to have concerted a journey to Macedonia, and a visit to Corinth, the capital of Achaia, where he seems to have spent a considerable time, probably the whole winter of a.d. 58; see Co1 16:5, Co1 16:6; and afterwards to go to Jerusalem; but it is likely that he did not leave Ephesus till after pentecost, a.d. 59. (Co1 16:8) And he resolved, if possible, to see Rome, which had been the object of his wishes for a considerable time. See Rom 1:10, Rom 1:13; Rom 16:23. It is generally believed that, during t”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 25:12: 25:12 Festus granted Paul’s appeal. This fulfilled Paul’s conviction that he must see Rome (19:21; see also 23:11; 27:24; Rom 1:13-15; 15:22-29).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND (part 1): PAUL IT came to pass, after Paul went out of the island Gaudomeleta,(1) that he came to Italy; and it was heard of by the Jews who were in Rome, the elder of the cities, that Paul demanded to come to Caesar. Having fallen, therefore, into great grief and much despondency, they said among themselves: It does not please him that he alone has afflicted all our brethren and parents in Judaea and Samaria, and in all Palestine; and he has not been pleased with these, but, behold, he”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 23:11: Be of good cheer, Paul - It is no wonder if, with all these trials and difficulties, St. Paul was much dejected in mind; and especially as he had not any direct intimation from God what the end of the present trials would be: to comfort him and strengthen his faith, God gave him this vision. So must thou bear witness also at Rome - This was pleasing intelligence to Paul, who had long desired to see that city, and preach the Gospel of Christ there. He appears to have had an intimation that he should see it; but how, he could not tell; and this vision satisfied him tha”