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

'God is my witness' -he is not making. light statement, he is dead serious. Another indication that the Church in Rome had existed for some time and that Paul had been aware of their activity.

'Whom. serve in my spirit' -'to whom. offer the humble service of my spirit' (NEB) Paul's heart was in the work that God had given him to do.

Some in Rome may have been trying to discredit Paul by telling the brethren that Paul's oft-repeated promises to come were never intended to be fulfilled. He reminds them that his travel plans were subject to the will of God. The prayers of Paul went beyond his immediate circle of close friends.

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Old Testament