οὐ θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν : a phrase of constant recurrence in Paul, and always with ἀδελφοί (1Th 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8). Some emphasis is laid by it on the idea that his desire or purpose to visit them was no passing whim. It was grounded in his vocation as Apostle of the Gentiles, and though it had been often frustrated he had never given it up. ἐκωλύθην ἄχρι τοῦ δεῦρο : probably the main obstacle was evangelistic work which had to be done elsewhere. Cf. chap. Romans 15:22 f. The purpose of his visit is expressed in ἵνα τινὰ καρπὸν σχῶ : that I may obtain some fruit among you also. καρπὸς denotes the result of labour: it might either mean new converts or the furtherance of the Christians in their new life. καθὼς καὶ ἐν τοῖς λοιποῖς ἔθνεσιν : nothing could indicate more clearly that the Church at Rome, as a whole, was Gentile.

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Old Testament