OET interlinear ROM 15:23

15:23a–b

(REB:) But now I have no further scope in these parts, and I have been longing for many years to visit you: The two Greek verbs that the REB translates as I have are literally “having.” There is no verb phrase in this sentence that makes this sentence complete. There are several ways to interpret the Greek sentence structure here:

1. Take both “having” verbs as “I have.” Greek sometimes uses an -ing ending for a verb with a normal ending. For example:

   But now I have no new opportunities for work in this region. For many years I have wanted to visit you (GW) (REB, NET, GW, CEV, NLT)

2. Take the second “having” verb as “I have.” For example:

   But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you (NRSV) (NRSV)

3. Keep both verbs as “having” and add “I plan.” For example:

   But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, ²⁴I plan to do so (NIV) (NIV)

4. Keep both verbs as “having” and pull “I hope” from later in 15:24. For example:

   But now that I have finished my work in these regions and since I have been wanting for so many years to come to see you, ²⁴I hope to do so now (GNT) (BSB, RSV, GNT, NJB, ESV, NCV, NABRE)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is a fairly common process in Greek to take a verb with the -ing ending and drop the meaning of -ing. It seems better to treat both “having” verbs equally (interpretation 1) rather than differently (interpretation 2). And interpreting the verse here as having this process occurring seems better than adding words to the text (interpretation 3). And it is better than pulling “I hope” out of its “for” clause (interpretation 4).

15:23a

But now: This phrase indicates contrast to being hindered in the past. The word now refers to the time that Paul wrote the letter.

there are no further opportunities for me in these regions: This indicates that Paul had preached where no one had yet preached throughout the area between Jerusalem and Illyricum (15:19). He must now find new places. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

there is no more place for me to work in these regions (NIV)

I have finished my work in these regions (GNT)

there are no further opportunities for me: The word opportunities refers to having enough space in which to do something. There were no new areas between Jerusalem and Illyricum where Paul could preach where someone had not already preached. For example:

there is no more place for me (NIV)

The Greek word that the BSB translates as opportunities has its figurative sense here, “a favorable circumstance for doing something” (BDAG, sense 4). Here are other ways to translate according to that meaning:

I no longer have any opportunity (NABRE)

there is nothing left for me to do (CEV)

I have finished my work (GNT)

these regions: This refers to the area between Jerusalem and Illyricum (15:19). In some languages the word “those” would be more natural to refer back to the regions Paul talked about in 15:19. For example:

those regions

regions: The singular Greek word refers to an area the size of a Roman province or smaller, but larger than a city and its surrounding area.

15:23b

I have longed: This Greek phrase is more literally “I have had a desire.” Paul had wanted to go to Rome for a long time.

for many years: Here the word many refers to probably twenty or less. It does imply a long time, not just one or two years. Do not use a word that indicates or implies much more than twenty years.