22. For which cause. The reason why Paul had so far been prevented from visiting Rome was his eagerness to complete his preaching of the gospel in the regions through which he had been traveling. At long last he now feels free to make the trip to Rome, since he has “no more place in these parts” ( 23).
To every man. With these emphatic words Paul expressly includes every individual member of the church at Rome, no matter how high his office or how great his influence. Perhaps Paul feared that the Christians in Rome might fall into the same condition of spiritual presumption as had the believers in Corinth, form which city he was writing this epistle (see 1 Cor. 1-5; 2 Cor. 10:13).
Much. ta polla, which may mean “many times.” Important textual evidence may also be cited ( 10) for the reading pollakis, “often.” Evidently Paul had frequently had the intention, or perhaps the opportunity, to go to Rome (see 1:13), but the demands of his work and such time-consuming problems as he encountered in the districts where he was laboring, had hindered him.
Not to think. In the Greek there is a play on words here that cannot be easily reproduced in good English. The literal translation would be, “not to be highminded beyond what one ought to be minded, but to be minded so as to be sober-minded.” This is a strong warning against overestimating oneself. A man needs to become acquainted with the weak as well as the strong points in his character, so that he may be constantly guarded against engaging in enterprises and assuming responsibilities for which God has never designed him (see GW 319).