1:13
The Roman Christians may have felt a little left out, knowing that other churches had received lots of attention from Paul. This was not because Paul did not want to see them, but for various reasons he had been prevented from doing so. In our day the effects of covid restrictions prevented many people from seeing each other. Paul wanted to reap a harvest among them, this would mean seeing them grow in Christ. And he also saw Rome as a launch point for reaching more of the Gentile world.
1:14,15
Paul had a ministry to all Gentiles, "Greeks and barbarians”. Barbarians were considered to be less sophisticated than the Greeks (to put it mildly). The gospel is for all, wise and foolish. Rome, being the capital of empire, may have engendered an air of superiority among its people, such an air has no place in the church. So Paul was keen to preach the gospel in Rome. This would include preaching to both believers and unbelievers. The gospel is not just for the unconverted, believers need to hear it again and again, and in depth.
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