Romans 1:13 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Romans 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

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.

Romans 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purpose", "ignorant", "brethren", "oftentimes", "purposed", "come", "hitherto", and "might". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purpose" and "ignorant", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "That is that I may be comforted..." into verse 14's "I am debtor both to the Greeks...", so "purpose" and "ignorant" 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 "purpose" and "ignorant" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.