“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
1:13 Brethren - A frequent, holy, simple, sweet, and yet grand, appellation. The apostles but rarely address persons by their names; 'O ye Corinthians, O Timotheus. St. Paul generally uses this appellation, Brethren; sometimes in exhortation, My beloved, or, My beloved brethren; St. James, Brethren, My brethren, My beloved brethren; St. Peter and Jude always, Beloved; St. John frequently, Beloved; once, Brethren; oftener than once, My little children. Though I have been hindered hitherto - Either by business, see #Rom 15:22|; or persecution, #1Thes 2:2|; or the Spirit, #Acts 16:7|. That I might have some fruit - Of my ministerial labours. Even as I have already had from the many churches I have planted and watered among the other gentiles.
Ro 1:13 Oftentimes I purposed to come un to you. See Ac 19:21. Thus far he has been hindered. He desired to visit Rome to do the Lord's work. He had planted Gentile churches in many cities. He wished to "have some fruit" in the greatest Gentile city in the world, as well as elsewhere.