No More Place in These Parts Romans 15:23

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome, “so have I striven to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation”, and he added, “But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.” Paul continued, “For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-three of Romans, Paul shared how he had, “no more place in these parts” where we read:

But now having no more place in these parts,

and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

The verse begins, “ But now having no more place in these parts, ...” Paul began with the word, “but” which means “moreover and” “now” or “at this present time and moment” “having no more place” which means “no longer any portion, spaced marked off, inhabited place such as a city, village or district” “in these parts” or “within the tracts of land, zones and region ”. Paul had not other portions of the regions in which he minister to share the “gospel of Jesus Christ”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;”. Paul added the words, “and having” which means “and holding, possessing and keeping” “a great desire” or “an intense longing” “these many years” which refers to “a large amount of the days of annual times” “to come” which means “which shall come into being, arise, show itself, find place and influence” “unto you” which refers to the believers in Rome. Paul had “an intense longing” to “appear” before the believers in Rome.

When we think through these words of Paul, though his places of ministering the “good news” of God were completed, his desired to see the believers in Rome lasted for “many years”. In this he exemplified the passion and love of God Almighty who so longed to be in a relationship with people that He sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins so they no longer would be separated from Him. Though there are many “places” who have heard the “gospel of Jesus Christ”, there are more who have not heard, and perhaps those who read these words shall be filled with “great desire” to tell them.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome, “when I take my journey into Spain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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