The Meaning of Romans 1:10 Explained

Romans 1:10

KJV: Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

YLT: always in my prayers beseeching, if by any means now at length I shall have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you,

Darby: always beseeching at my prayers, if any way now at least I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.

ASV: making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Making request,  if by any means  now  at length  I might have a prosperous journey  by  the will  of God  to come  unto  you. 

What does Romans 1:10 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 1:1-12 - The Apostle's Burning Desire
Upon the threshold of his greatest Epistle, Paul describes himself as a bond-servant. Such humility as his qualified him to be the medium of God's wondrous revelations. How great must be the Master who has the absolute devotion of such a man! Paul was called to be an Apostle; we are all called of Jesus Christ, and called to be saints, Romans 1:1; Romans 1:6-7. Note that emphatic reference to our Lord's dual nature, Romans 1:3-4.
Long before Paul saw the faces of these Christians in Rome, he had been led out in prayer for them. He had won the battle before entering the battle-field. How noble it was on the Apostle's part to say that his faith was strengthened by their faith, as theirs by his! Romans 1:12. There is a wonderful give-and-take in the service of God. Each of us helps or hinders. None is neutral.
It is quite evident that prayer counted for much with the Apostle. This journey of his was the subject of continual supplication. He knew that much was to be obtained through prayer, which would otherwise be missed. Remember that your journeys must also be in the will of God, Romans 1:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 1

1  Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9  and his desire to come to them
16  What his gospel is
18  God is angry with sin
21  What were the sins of mankind

Greek Commentary for Romans 1:10

If by any means now at length [ει πως ηδη ποτε]
A condition of the first class in the form of an indirect question (aim) or elliptical condition like Acts 27:12 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1024). Note the four particles together to express Paul‘s feelings of emotion that now at length somehow it may really come true. [source]
I may be prospered [ευοδωτησομαι]
First future passive indicative of ευοδοω — euodoō for which verb see note on 1 Corinthians 16:2. By the will of God (εν τωι τεληματι του τεου — en tōi thelēmati tou theou). Paul‘s way lay “in” God‘s will. [source]
By the will of God [εν τωι τεληματι του τεου]
Paul‘s way lay “in” God‘s will. [source]
I might have a prosperous journey [εὐοδωθήσομαι]
Rev., I may be prospered. The A.V. brings out the etymological force of the word. See on 3 John 1:2. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 1:10

Acts 19:21 Passed through [διελτων]
Word Macedonia and Achaia (την Μακεδονιαν και Αχαιαν — tēn Makedonian kai Achaian). This was the way that he actually went, but originally he had planned to go to Achaia (Corinth) and then to Macedonia, as he says in 2 Corinthians 1:15., but he had now changed that purpose, perhaps because of the bad news from Corinth. Already when he wrote I Corinthians he proposed to go first to Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5-7). He even hoped to spend the winter in Corinth “if the Lord permit” and to remain in Ephesus till Pentecost, neither of which things he did. I must also see Rome This section of Acts begins with Rome in the horizon of Paul‘s plans and the book closes with Paul in Rome (Rackham). Here he feels the necessity of going as in Romans 1:15 he feels himself “debtor” to all including “those in Rome” (Romans 1:16). Paul had long desired to go to Rome (Romans 1:10), but had been frequently hindered (Romans 1:13), but he has definitely set his face to go to Rome and on to Spain (Romans 15:23-29). Paley calls sharp attention to this parallel between Acts 19:21 and Romans 1:10-15; Romans 15:23-29. Rome had a fascination for Paul as the home of Aquila and Priscilla and numerous other friends (Romans 16), but chiefly as the capital of the Roman Empire and a necessary goal in Paul‘s ambition to win it to Jesus Christ. His great work in Asia had stirred afresh in him the desire to do his part for Rome. He wrote to Rome from Corinth not long after this and in Jerusalem Jesus in vision will confirm the necessity (δει — dei) that Paul see Rome (Acts 23:11). [source]
Acts 19:21 I must also see Rome [δει με και ωμην ιδειν]
This section of Acts begins with Rome in the horizon of Paul‘s plans and the book closes with Paul in Rome (Rackham). Here he feels the necessity of going as in Romans 1:15 he feels himself “debtor” to all including “those in Rome” (Romans 1:16). Paul had long desired to go to Rome (Romans 1:10), but had been frequently hindered (Romans 1:13), but he has definitely set his face to go to Rome and on to Spain (Romans 15:23-29). Paley calls sharp attention to this parallel between Romans 1:10-1531 and 1711642565_3; Romans 15:23-29. Rome had a fascination for Paul as the home of Aquila and Priscilla and numerous other friends (Romans 16), but chiefly as the capital of the Roman Empire and a necessary goal in Paul‘s ambition to win it to Jesus Christ. His great work in Asia had stirred afresh in him the desire to do his part for Rome. He wrote to Rome from Corinth not long after this and in Jerusalem Jesus in vision will confirm the necessity (δει — dei) that Paul see Rome (Acts 23:11). [source]
Romans 11:14 I may provoke [parazēlōsō)]
Either future active indicative or first aorist active subjunctive, see same uncertainty in Philemon 3:10 katantēsō but in Philemon 3:11 katalabō after ei is subjunctive. The future indicative is clear in Romans 1:10 and the optative in Acts 27:12. Doubtful whether future indicative or aorist subjunctive also in sōsō (save). [source]
1 Corinthians 16:2 As God hath prospered [ὅ τι ἂν εὐοδῶται]
Lit., whatsoever he may prosper in. See on Romans 1:10; see on 3 John 1:2; and see on Acts 11:29for the verb εὐπορέω in the similar sense of making a prosperous journey. [source]
1 Corinthians 16:2 Lay by him in store [παρ εαυτωι τιτετω τησαυριζων]
By himself, in his home. Treasuring it (cf. Matthew 6:19. for τησαυριζω — thēsaurizō). Have the habit of doing it, τιτετω — tithetō (present imperative). As he may prosper (οτι εαν ευοδωται — hoti ean euodōtai). Old verb from ευ — eu well, and οδος — hodos way or journey, to have a good journey, to prosper in general, common in lxx. In N.T. only here and Romans 1:10; 3 John 1:2. It is uncertain what form ευοδωται — euodōtai is, present passive subjunctive, perfect passive indicative, or even perfect passive subjunctive (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 54). The old MSS. had no accents. Some MSS. even have ευοδωτηι — euodōthēi (first aorist passive subjunctive). But the sense is not altered. οτι — Hoti is accusative of general reference and εαν — ean can occur either with the subjunctive or indicative. This rule for giving occurs also in 2 Corinthians 8:12. Paul wishes the collections to be made before he comes. [source]
1 Corinthians 16:2 As he may prosper [οτι εαν ευοδωται]
Old verb from ευ — eu well, and οδος — hodos way or journey, to have a good journey, to prosper in general, common in lxx. In N.T. only here and Romans 1:10; 3 John 1:2. It is uncertain what form ευοδωται — euodōtai is, present passive subjunctive, perfect passive indicative, or even perfect passive subjunctive (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 54). The old MSS. had no accents. Some MSS. even have ευοδωτηι — euodōthēi (first aorist passive subjunctive). But the sense is not altered. οτι — Hoti is accusative of general reference and εαν — ean can occur either with the subjunctive or indicative. This rule for giving occurs also in 2 Corinthians 8:12. Paul wishes the collections to be made before he comes. [source]
Philippians 3:11 If by any means [εἴ πως]
For the form of expression compare Romans 1:10; Romans 11:14. Not an expression of doubt, but of humility. [source]
Philippians 3:11 If by any means I may attain [ει πως καταντησω]
Not an expression of doubt, but of humility (Vincent), a modest hope (Lightfoot). For ει πως — ei pōs see note on Romans 1:10; and note on Romans 11:14 where παραζηλωσω — parazēlōsō can be either future indicative or aorist subjunctive like καταντησω — katantēsō here (see subjunctive καταλαβω — katalabō in Phlippians 3:12), late compound verb κατανταω — katantaō Late word, not in lxx, but in Polybius and one papyrus example. Apparently Paul is thinking here only of the resurrection of believers out from the dead and so double εχ — ex Paul is not denying a general resurrection by this language, but emphasizing that of believers. [source]
Philippians 4:10 Now at length [ηδη ποτε]
In N.T. only here and Romans 1:10. Ποτε — Pote is indefinite past (interval), ηδη — ēdē immediate present. [source]
Philippians 4:10 Greatly [μεγαλως]
Old adverb, only here in N.T., from μεγας — megas (great). Now at length (ηδη ποτε — ēdē pote). In N.T. only here and Romans 1:10. Ποτε — Pote is indefinite past (interval), ηδη — ēdē immediate present. Ye have revived Second aorist active indicative of old poetic word (Homer), αναταλλω — anathallō to sprout again, to shoot up, to blossom again. So in the lxx five times, though rare and literary word. Your thought for me (το υπερ εμου προνειν — to huper emou phronein). Accusative case of the articular present active infinitive the object of ανεταλετε — anethalete used transitively. “You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh.” Wherein “In which,” “upon which” (locative case). A loose reference to Paul‘s interests as involved in their thinking of him. Ye did indeed take thought (και επρονειτε — kai ephroneite). Imperfect active, “ye were also (or had been also) thinking.” Ye lacked opportunity Imperfect middle of ακαιρεομαι — akaireomai late and rare word, here only in N.T., from ακαιρος — akairos (α — a privative, καιρος — kairos), not to have a chance, the opposite of ευκαιρεω — eukaireō (Mark 6:31). [source]
3 John 1:2 Mayst prosper [εὐοδοῦσθαι]
Lit., have a prosperous journey. From ἐν welland ὁδός away. In this original sense, Romans 1:10. The word occurs only three times in the New Testament. See 1 Corinthians 16:2. [source]
3 John 1:2 In all things [περι παντων]
To be taken with ευοδουσται — euodousthai and like περι — peri in 1 Corinthians 16:1, “concerning all things.”Thou mayest prosper (σε ευοδουσται — se euodousthai). Infinitive in indirect discourse (object infinitive) after ευχομαι — euchomai with accusative of general reference σε — se (as to thee). Ευοδοω — Euodoō is old verb (from ευοδος — euodos ευ — eu and οδος — hodos prosperous in a journey), to have a good journey, to prosper, in lxx, in N.T. only this verse (twice), 1 Corinthians 16:2; Romans 1:10.Be in health In Paul this word always means sound teaching (1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3), but here and in Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; Luke 15:27, of bodily health. Brooke wonders if Gaius‘ health had caused his friends anxiety.Even as thy soul prospereth (κατως ευοδουται σου η πσυχη — kathōs euodoutai sou hē psuchē). A remarkable comparison which assumes the welfare (present middle indicative of ευοδοω — euodoō) of his soul (πσυχη — psuchē here as the principle of the higher life as in John 12:27, not of the natural life as in Matthew 6:25). [source]
3 John 1:2 Thou mayest prosper [σε ευοδουσται]
Infinitive in indirect discourse (object infinitive) after ευχομαι — euchomai with accusative of general reference σε — se (as to thee). Ευοδοω — Euodoō is old verb (from ευοδος — euodos ευ — eu and οδος — hodos prosperous in a journey), to have a good journey, to prosper, in lxx, in N.T. only this verse (twice), 1 Corinthians 16:2; Romans 1:10. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 1:10 mean?

always upon the prayers of me imploring if perhaps now at last I will make a prosperous journey by the will - of God to come to you
πάντοτε ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου δεόμενος εἴ πως ἤδη ποτὲ εὐοδωθήσομαι ἐν τῷ θελήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς

πάντοτε  always 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάντοτε  
Sense: at all times, always, ever.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
προσευχῶν  prayers 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: προσευχή  
Sense: prayer addressed to God.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δεόμενος  imploring 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δέομαι  
Sense: to want, lack.
πως  perhaps 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πῶς  
Sense: how, in what way.
ἤδη  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἤδη  
Sense: now, already.
ποτὲ  at  last 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ποτέ  
Sense: once i.
εὐοδωθήσομαι  I  will  make  a  prosperous  journey 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: εὐοδόω  
Sense: to grant a prosperous and expeditious journey, to lead by a direct and easy way.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐλθεῖν  to  come 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.