What Does Romans 15:23 Mean in the King James?

But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

Romans 15:23 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

A place can be finished without desire being finished; longing now points toward people.

THE MEANING

Your work in one place can be complete while your desire to be with people elsewhere remains alive, even across years. Finishing a task does not cancel longing; longing can still draw you toward presence.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that when one season of work is complete, desire must be over too.

THE ROOT

ἐπιποθία

epipothía

GROWS FROM

ποθέω

pothéō

To yearn, long for, or miss.

“great desire” in this verse is epipothía. The word carries the sense of longing toward someone, not merely wanting an outcome. Joined to “these many years,” it shows a desire that stays alive across time and gathers itself toward coming near.

ALSO GROWS

pothéō: To yearn or long for.

ποθέω

This base verb makes the longing inside “desire” audible: the word points toward what is missed and wanted near.

epipothéō: To long for, yearn toward.

ἐπιποθέω

This related verb uses the same longing-root for desire directed toward people, showing how longing can become a movement toward presence.

THE PATTERN

When work in one place reaches its limit, longing can carry the next movement toward relationship.

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalm 42:1 · KJVLonging becomes a deep pull toward the presence the speaker desires.

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:8 · KJVThe same longing-root names a desire directed toward people, not an abstract goal.

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

1 Thessalonians 3:6 · KJVLonging for one another remains alive across distance and turns toward seeing each other.

THE THREAD

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:8 · KJV

“Long after” translates ⁨ἐπιποθέω⁩ (epipothéō), meaning to long for or yearn toward, from the same longing-root as “great desire” here. The shared root reveals desire as a pull toward people and presence.

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