But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
To have no more place in those parts meant the gospel work stretching from Jerusalem to Illyricum was finished, with no further opening left to preach where Christ was not yet known. That completion freed Paul to turn toward a longing he had carried for many years, to come to the believers in Rome once the work in those eastern regions was done. His plan was to see them on his way onward to Spain, making Rome a visit along that farther journey. Yet that visit was to wait until after he had first gone up to Jerusalem to serve the believers there.
That long-held desire lays upon believers the duty to guard speech, uttering no provoking, faultfinding, or critical word. They are to refuse to listen to criticism of others, and instead to speak kindly, tenderly, and encouragingly. When met with harshness and provocation they are to answer with silence, while any wrong done is to be promptly confessed with prayer for forgiveness, keeping the eye fixed on Jesus, who reveals perils in order to deliver from them.
To have no more place in those parts meant the gospel work stretching from Jerusalem to Illyricum was finished, with no further opening left to preach where Christ was not yet known. That completion freed Paul to turn toward a longing he had carried for many years, to come to the believers in Rome once the work in those eastern regions was done. His plan was to see them on his way onward to Spain, making Rome a visit along that farther journey. Yet that visit was to wait until after he had first gone up to Jerusalem to serve the believers there.
That long-held desire lays upon believers the duty to guard speech, uttering no provoking, faultfinding, or critical word. They are to refuse to listen to criticism of others, and instead to speak kindly, tenderly, and encouragingly. When met with harshness and provocation they are to answer with silence, while any wrong done is to be promptly confessed with prayer for forgiveness, keeping the eye fixed on Jesus, who reveals perils in order to deliver from them.