Romans 15:22

KJV

¶ For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

KJV (with Strong's)

For which cause {G1352} also {G2532} I have been {G1465} much {G4183} hindered {G1465} from coming {G2064} to {G4314} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is also why I have so often been prevented from visiting you.

Berean Standard Bible

That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

American Standard Version

Wherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 15:22 explains the primary reason for Paul's repeated inability to visit the believers in Rome: his unwavering and extensive commitment to pioneering missionary work in regions where the Gospel had not yet been proclaimed. This verse reveals Paul's strategic priorities, demonstrating that his apostolic calling to evangelize the unreached took precedence over his deep desire for fellowship with established churches, even those he longed to encourage and strengthen.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's explanation of his apostolic ministry and future travel plans, specifically following his declaration of a core missionary principle in [Romans 15:20-21](/romans/15-20-21 "Romans 15:20-21 - Paul's Missionary Principle"). Paul states his ambition was "to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation." He then quotes [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - Prophecy of the Suffering Servant") to underscore this commitment to reaching the unreached. Verse 22 directly attributes his prolonged absence from Rome to this extensive, frontier evangelism which had kept him occupied "from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum" ([Romans 15:19](/romans/15-19 "Romans 15:19 - Scope of Paul's Ministry")). His subsequent verses ([Romans 15:23-24](/romans/15-23-24 "Romans 15:23-24 - Paul's Future Plans")) then outline his intention to finally visit Rome after completing his work in the East, en route to Spain, indicating that the "hindrance" was not a lack of desire but a strategic prioritization of his divine commission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's missionary journeys were arduous and dangerous undertakings, involving vast distances, diverse cultures, and often hostile environments. Travel in the ancient world was slow and perilous, often by foot or ship, subject to weather, bandits, and political instability. Paul's mention of his work stretching "from Jerusalem... unto Illyricum" ([Romans 15:19](/romans/15-19 "Romans 15:19 - The Extent of Paul's Missionary Journeys")) highlights the immense geographical scope of his ministry, covering much of the eastern Roman Empire. Rome itself was the imperial capital, a strategic hub for the spread of the Gospel, and home to a significant and diverse Christian community. Paul's desire to visit Rome was not merely personal but strategic, recognizing its influence. The "hindrance" was thus not a trivial matter but the result of years of intense, physically demanding, and spiritually taxing labor in establishing churches and spreading the Gospel in new territories, a task he viewed as divinely mandated.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Romans and Paul's broader theology. First, it underscores **Apostolic Priority and Strategy**, revealing Paul's unwavering commitment to his unique calling as the [apostle to the Gentiles](/galatians/2-7 "Galatians 2:7 - Paul's Apostolic Commission to the Gentiles"), especially those who had not yet heard the Gospel. His principle of not building on another's foundation ([Romans 15:20](/romans/15-20 "Romans 15:20 - Paul's Missionary Principle")) dictated his travel plans. Second, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Human Desire**. While Paul had a fervent desire to visit Rome, expressed earlier in [Romans 1:11-13](/romans/1-11-13 "Romans 1:11-13 - Paul's Desire to Visit Rome"), his sense of divine duty to pioneer new fields took precedence, suggesting that God's timing and strategic purposes often override personal inclinations. Third, the verse implicitly touches on **Sacrifice and Dedication in Ministry**, as Paul's "hindrance" was not idleness but tireless labor for the Gospel, demonstrating the demanding nature of his apostolic life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cause (Greek, _dió'_):** From _diá_ and _hos_; meaning "through which thing," and consequently, "therefore" or "wherefore." In this context, it points to the direct reason or consequence of Paul's actions. His extensive missionary work was the direct "cause" or "reason" for his delay.
* **much (Greek, _polýs'_):** Referring to a great quantity, degree, or extent. Here, it intensifies the hindrance, indicating that Paul was "greatly" or "repeatedly" hindered. It emphasizes the significant and persistent nature of the obstacles or commitments that prevented his travel to Rome.
* **hindered (Greek, _enkóptō'_):** From _en_ (in) and _kóptō_ (to cut); literally "to cut into," hence "to impede," "to detain," or "to throw obstacles in the way." This strong verb conveys the idea of cutting off a path or making progress difficult. It suggests that Paul's missionary activities were not mere distractions but significant, demanding endeavors that genuinely prevented him from fulfilling his desire to visit Rome sooner.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For which cause also":** This phrase links directly back to Paul's preceding explanation (verses 19-21) of his extensive missionary work and his strategic principle of preaching where Christ had not yet been named. It signals that the reason for his delay is directly tied to these apostolic endeavors.
* **"I have been much hindered":** Paul uses a strong term to describe the impediment. The "much" (G4183 _polýs_) indicates that this hindrance was not a minor inconvenience but a significant, repeated, or extensive obstacle. The verb "hindered" (G1465 _enkóptō_) suggests that his path was actively cut off or made difficult, not by external opposition, but by the overwhelming demands and opportunities of his primary mission.
* **"from coming to you":** This clarifies the specific outcome of the hindrance: Paul's inability to fulfill his long-standing desire to visit the Roman believers. It underscores the tension between his personal longing for fellowship and his overriding commitment to his apostolic calling.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Rhetorical Explanation** in this verse, providing a clear and concise reason for his delayed visit to Rome. This serves to manage the expectations of the Roman church, assuring them that his absence was not due to a lack of love or interest, but rather to the overwhelming demands of his divinely appointed mission. The use of "much hindered" could also be seen as a form of **Understatement** or **Litotes**, as the sheer scale of his missionary work (from Jerusalem to Illyricum) was far more than a mere "hindrance" but a consuming, all-encompassing life's work. It subtly highlights the immense personal sacrifice involved in his apostolic calling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 15:22 reveals a profound theological principle: God's sovereign plan often dictates the timing and direction of ministry, even when it means delaying or rerouting human desires. Paul's "hindrance" was not a failure but a strategic deployment by God, ensuring the Gospel reached new frontiers. This highlights the priority of frontier evangelism and the self-sacrificial nature of true apostolic ministry, where the needs of the unreached outweigh personal preferences or even the needs of established churches for a season. It teaches us that faithfulness to a specific divine calling can necessitate difficult choices and prolonged periods of separation, all for the greater glory of God and the expansion of His kingdom.

* [Acts 16:6-7](/acts/16-6-7 "Acts 16:6-7 - The Holy Spirit Hinders Paul's Plans")
* [1 Thessalonians 2:18](/1_thessalonians/2-18 "1 Thessalonians 2:18 - Satan Hinders Paul's Return")
* [1 Corinthians 9:16](/1_corinthians/9-16 "1 Corinthians 9:16 - Paul's Compulsion to Preach")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 15:22 provides a powerful lens through which to examine our own priorities and understanding of divine timing. Paul's example challenges us to consider what truly "hinders" us from fulfilling God's specific call on our lives. Is it a lack of commitment, or is it, like Paul, an overwhelming dedication to another, equally vital aspect of God's kingdom work? This verse encourages us to embrace the demanding nature of ministry, recognizing that God's strategic purposes may involve personal sacrifice and deferred desires. It reminds us that sometimes, the greatest acts of love for those we long to be with are performed by faithfully serving where God has currently placed us, trusting that He orchestrates all things for His glory and the good of His people. Our "hindrances" can often be God's redirections, leading us to fields ripe for harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hindrances" in your life might actually be God's strategic redirection for a greater purpose?**
* **How does Paul's prioritization of frontier evangelism challenge your own understanding of Christian mission today?**
* **In what areas of your life are you balancing personal desires with a sense of divine duty, and how can you align them more closely with God's will?**

### FAQ
**Did Paul ever make it to Rome, and how does this verse relate to his eventual arrival?**

Answer: Yes, Paul eventually made it to Rome, though not as a free man on a missionary journey as he had initially intended. His arrival in Rome, as recounted in [Acts 28](/acts/28 "Acts 28 - Paul's Arrival in Rome"), was as a prisoner, appealing to Caesar. Romans 15:22 explains his repeated *voluntary* delays due to his commitment to pioneering evangelism in the East. His eventual arrival in Rome was a fulfillment of his long-held desire ([Romans 1:11](/romans/1-11 "Romans 1:11 - Paul's Desire to Visit Rome")) and a testament to God's sovereign plan, even if the circumstances were vastly different from what Paul had envisioned. He was "hindered" from coming *sooner* and *freely*, but God ensured he arrived to bear witness to Christ in the imperial capital.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Romans 15:22 describes Paul's personal missionary strategy and the "hindrances" he faced, it ultimately points to the broader, Christ-centered mission of the church. Paul's tireless efforts to preach the Gospel where Christ had not been named directly extended the kingdom of the [Lord Jesus Christ](/philippians/2-11 "Philippians 2:11 - Jesus is Lord"). His self-sacrificial delays, driven by obedience to his apostolic calling, mirror the ultimate self-sacrifice of Christ, who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Paul's commitment to reaching the unreached ensures that more people would hear of the [Good News of salvation through Christ](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confessing Jesus as Lord"). Therefore, Paul's "hindrance" for the sake of the Gospel's wider spread is a beautiful echo of Christ's own mission to seek and save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost")), ensuring that the message of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") would reach the ends of the earth, fulfilling the Great Commission given by the resurrected Christ ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

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 1:13

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

1 Thessalonians 2:17

¶ But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

1 Thessalonians 2:18

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.