Romans 1:13 (LSB)

Passage

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Nearby Context

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be strengthened;

Romans 1:12 that is, to be mutually encouraged, while among you, by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Romans 1:13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Romans 1:15 In this way, for my part, I am eager to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "want", "unaware", "brothers", "often", "planned", "come", "been", and "prevented". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "want" and "unaware", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "that is to be mutually encouraged while..." into verse 14's "I am under obligation both to Greeks...", so "want" and "unaware" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "want" and "unaware" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.