Romans 15:20-22
(20) Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
(21) But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
(22) For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
Reference to the geographical extent of his ministry (v. 19) led Paul to declare something of his philosophy of outreach: It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known (lit., “named”). Paul purposed to be a true pioneer evangelist, opening virgin territory to the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. This was so that he would not be building on someone else’s foundation (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10). Paul then expressed his ministry goal in a quotation of the second half of Isaiah 52:15 and explained, This is why I have often been hindered (imperf. tense, “I was being hindered many times”) from coming to you. Up to this time Paul had always found new areas for ministry in Asia Minor and the Grecian Peninsula so that he had not yet felt free to look beyond to Rome and Spain.
Excerpt from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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