Paul Longs to Go to Rome | Romans 1:8-15

Paul authored Romans in the winter of AD 57-58 during a three month stay in Corinth (Acts 20:3) near the end of his third missionary journey. At the time of writing, Paul had collected an offering from Gentile churches to help the Jewish Christians in Judea. His plan was to take this offering to Jerusalem as soon as the weather was suitable, then to travel from there to Rome.  Paul expressed his desire to go to Rome as early as Acts 19:21 (AD 57), and expressed it emphatically in Romans 1:8-15 during his stay in Corinth (AD 57-58), but he would not reach Rome for about three more years, as a prisoner (Acts 28:14). These three years contained numerous difficulties, including a beating and plot against his life by his own people, a two-year imprisonment in Caesarea, a shipwreck, and being bitten by a deadly snake on Malta. Paul’s arrival in Rome took place in AD 60-61, and tradition holds that he was martyred there not long after, between AD 64-67. Paul’s longing as he awaited a face-to-face encounter with the Roman Christians contains tremendous lessons for our own journey with Christ.  Take-Home Message: Paul’s longing contains lessons for my journey with Christ. Three Lessons From Paul’s Longing to Go to Rome -       God’s will transcends my plan. (8-10) -       Our faith should mutually encourage each other. (11-12) -       We are under obligation to preach the gospel to everyone. (13-15)