Romans 1:10

KJV

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Making request {G1189}, if by any means {G1513} now {G2235} at length {G4218} I might have a prosperous journey {G2137} by {G1722} the will {G2307} of God {G2316} to come {G2064} unto {G4314} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

in my prayers; and I always pray that somehow, now or in the future, I might, by God’s will, succeed in coming to visit you.

Berean Standard Bible

in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.

American Standard Version

making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 1:10 reveals the apostle Paul's deep and persistent desire to visit the believers in Rome, a longing he consistently brought before God in prayer. This verse underscores Paul's commitment to apostolic ministry and his profound dependence on divine sovereignty, demonstrating that even his most earnest personal and missional aspirations were entirely submitted to the will and timing of God for their fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 1:10 is nestled within the salutation and introductory remarks of Paul's magnum opus, the Epistle to the Romans. Having introduced himself as a "servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle" in [Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Romans 1:1 - Paul's Apostolic Calling"), Paul immediately expresses his profound gratitude for the Roman believers' faith, which is "spoken of throughout the whole world" ([Romans 1:8](/romans/1-8 "Romans 1:8 - Paul's Thanksgiving for Roman Believers")). He then assures them of his constant remembrance and intercession for them in his prayers ([Romans 1:9](/romans/1-9 "Romans 1:9 - Paul's Constant Prayer for Rome")), before detailing the specific request of his prayer in verse 10: a divinely ordained journey to Rome. This sets the stage for Paul's explanation of his apostolic mission and the theological exposition that follows in the letter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote this letter from Corinth, likely around AD 57, as he prepared to deliver the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. Rome, as the capital of the vast Roman Empire, held immense strategic importance for Paul's missionary vision, which aimed to preach the gospel where Christ had not yet been named ([Romans 15:20](/romans/15-20 "Romans 15:20 - Paul's Missionary Principle")). Unlike many churches Paul founded, the Roman church was not established by him, but likely grew organically from Jewish converts returning from Pentecost ([Acts 2:10](/acts/2-10 "Acts 2:10 - Roman Visitors at Pentecost")) and other early Christian evangelism. Travel in the ancient world was arduous and often dangerous, making Paul's prayer for a "prosperous journey" a practical necessity for his ministry. His desire to visit Rome was not merely social but deeply missional, reflecting the common ancient practice of apostles or teachers visiting churches to strengthen them and impart spiritual gifts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several key themes central to Paul's theology and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **earnest prayer and persistent desire**, showing that Paul's apostolic ambition was not self-driven but prayerfully submitted to God. Secondly, the phrase "by the will of God" emphasizes the crucial theme of **divine sovereignty and human submission**, a principle Paul consistently lived by and taught, echoing the sentiment found in [James 4:15](/james/4-15 "James 4:15 - Dependence on God's Will"). Paul understood that his plans, however noble, were contingent upon God's perfect timing and purpose. Thirdly, the desire for a "prosperous journey" speaks to the theme of **God's providential guidance in ministry**, where success is defined not by human convenience but by alignment with divine purpose and the advancement of the gospel. This desire to "come unto you" also foreshadows the theme of **mutual encouragement and spiritual impartation**, which Paul explicitly states as a reason for his visit in [Romans 1:11-12](/romans/1-11-12 "Romans 1:11-12 - Paul's Desire to Impart Spiritual Gifts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Making request (Greek, _déomai'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to bind oneself," signifies a fervent, earnest petition or supplication, often implying a sense of need or urgency. It's more than a casual wish; it's a heartfelt plea directed to God, indicating the depth of Paul's longing and the seriousness with which he presented his desire to the Lord.
* **prosperous journey (Greek, _euodóō'_):** Literally meaning "to be well-pathed" or "to have a good road," this term implies success or prosperity in the sense of reaching a desired goal or having a favorable outcome. For Paul, a "prosperous journey" was not necessarily one free from hardship, but one that would successfully bring him to Rome according to God's plan, enabling him to fulfill his ministry there. It denotes divine enablement and success in the endeavor.
* **will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** This refers to a determination, purpose, or decree, encompassing both God's active choice and His inclination. In this context, it highlights the ultimate authority and direction of God in all matters, especially Paul's travel and ministry plans. Paul's desire was entirely contingent upon God's sovereign and perfect plan, demonstrating his complete submission to divine prerogative.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Making request":** This phrase immediately establishes the context of prayer. Paul is not merely expressing a personal wish but is actively and persistently bringing this desire before God. The continuous nature of his "making request" (present participle in Greek) emphasizes his ongoing intercession.
* **"if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey":** This clause reveals Paul's humble submission and patient endurance. "If by any means" (Greek: _ei pōs_) expresses a hopeful uncertainty, acknowledging that the timing and method of his journey were entirely in God's hands. "Now at length" (Greek: _ēdē poté_) suggests a long-cherished desire that had been delayed, indicating Paul's persistent hope despite past obstacles. He prays for a "prosperous journey," not necessarily one without difficulty, but one that would achieve its divine purpose of bringing him to Rome.
* **"by the will of God":** This is the pivotal phrase of the verse, serving as the ultimate qualifier for Paul's request. It underscores that his plans and desires, however fervent or long-standing, were completely subordinate to God's sovereign will (_thélēma_). Paul understood that true prosperity and success in ministry are found only in alignment with God's perfect plan and timing.
* **"to come unto you":** This states the specific object of Paul's prayer and desire. His ultimate goal was to be physically present with the Roman believers, as further elaborated in the subsequent verses, for mutual encouragement and the impartation of spiritual gifts.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 1:10 prominently features **Prayer as a motif**, highlighting Paul's consistent reliance on divine intervention for his apostolic endeavors. The phrase "Making request" establishes this immediately, portraying Paul as a man deeply committed to intercessory prayer. There is also a subtle **Irony** present when read with hindsight: Paul's "prosperous journey" to Rome eventually occurs, but not as a free traveler but as a prisoner, fulfilling God's will in an unexpected way ([Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Journey to Rome as a Prisoner")-[28](/acts/28 "Acts 28 - Paul's Arrival in Rome")). This demonstrates that God's "prosperous journey" may look different from human expectations, yet still perfectly accomplishes His purposes. Furthermore, the verse employs **Emphasis** through repetition of the theme of God's will, ensuring the reader understands that divine sovereignty governs all of Paul's ministry and aspirations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 1:10 offers profound theological insights into the nature of prayer, divine sovereignty, and apostolic ministry. It teaches us that while we are to earnestly and persistently bring our desires before God, our ultimate posture must be one of humble submission to His perfect will. Paul's example demonstrates that true spiritual ambition is not about achieving personal goals, but about aligning one's life and ministry with God's overarching purposes. This submission does not negate fervent prayer but rather elevates it, transforming our petitions into acts of trust that God's timing and methods are superior to our own. The "prosperous journey" is not defined by ease or human success, but by its alignment with God's intended outcome, even if that outcome involves hardship or unexpected paths.

* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")
* [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14 - Confidence in Prayer According to God's Will")
* [Acts 18:21](/acts/18-21 "Acts 18:21 - Paul's Submission to God's Will for Travel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 1:10 provides a powerful template for how believers today should approach their own plans, desires, and aspirations. It calls us to cultivate a life of earnest and persistent prayer, bringing our hopes and intentions before the Lord with sincerity and regularity. However, it equally challenges us to hold these desires with open hands, always qualifying them with a profound submission to God's sovereign will. This means trusting that God's timing and methods are perfect, even when they differ from our expectations or involve delays and unexpected detours. A "prosperous journey" in God's economy is not necessarily one that is easy or aligns with our immediate comforts, but one that ultimately fulfills His divine purpose for our lives and for the advancement of His kingdom. Paul's eventual arrival in Rome as a prisoner, rather than a free missionary, serves as a poignant reminder that God's path to "prosperity" often looks different from our own, yet it is always the most effective for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What personal desires or plans am I currently holding before God in prayer?**
* **In what ways do I genuinely submit my plans to God's will, or do I tend to dictate my desires to Him?**
* **How might God be defining a "prosperous journey" for me that differs from my own expectations?**
* **What can I learn from Paul's patient and persistent prayer regarding delayed desires?**

### FAQ
**Why was Paul so keen to visit the Roman believers, and why did it take so long?**

Answer: Paul's desire to visit Rome was multifaceted and deeply rooted in his apostolic calling. As the apostle to the Gentiles, he saw Rome, the capital of the empire, as a strategic hub for the spread of the gospel to the "ends of the earth" ([Romans 15:24](/romans/15-24 "Romans 15:24 - Paul's Plan to Visit Spain via Rome")). He longed to impart some spiritual gift to them, to strengthen their faith, and to be mutually encouraged by their faith ([Romans 1:11-12](/romans/1-11-12 "Romans 1:11-12 - Paul's Desire for Mutual Encouragement")). The delay in his visit was likely due to his commitment to ministering in regions where the gospel had not yet been proclaimed ([Romans 15:20](/romans/15-20 "Romans 15:20 - Paul's Missionary Principle")), as well as divine providence. God had other plans for Paul's immediate ministry, and his eventual arrival in Rome, though delayed and as a prisoner ([Acts 28:16](/acts/28-16 "Acts 28:16 - Paul Arrives in Rome")), ultimately served His greater purpose for the gospel's advancement even within Caesar's household ([Philippians 4:22](/philippians/4-22 "Philippians 4:22 - Greetings from Caesar's Household")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 1:10, with its emphasis on Paul's earnest prayer and submission to the "will of God" for his journey, finds its ultimate fulfillment and model in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself perfectly embodied the principle of complete submission to the Father's will, even when it led to immense suffering and a path contrary to human expectation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). This profound act of obedience, even unto death on a cross, was the "prosperous journey" that secured salvation for humanity ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Paul's desire to impart spiritual gifts and to be mutually encouraged by the Roman believers also reflects the Christ-centered reality of the church as His body, where each member contributes to the growth and edification of the whole, under Christ, the head ([Ephesians 4:11-16](/ephesians/4-11-16 "Ephesians 4:11-16 - Unity in the Body of Christ")). Thus, Paul's prayer for a divinely guided journey to Rome, even with its unexpected outcome of imprisonment, ultimately served the sovereign will of God in advancing the gospel of Christ, demonstrating that Christ's redemptive plan is fulfilled through the obedient, Spirit-led journeys of His servants.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 15:30

¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

Romans 15:32

That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Acts 18:21

But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

James 4:15

For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Philemon 1:22

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

1 Thessalonians 3:10

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:11

¶ Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.