The Importance of a Longer Introduction

In the ancient world, particularly when Paul is sending a message to a group of people who mostly have not personally met him, some have. He needs to establish his identity, their identity and how they are connected to God in this work. So verse 13 tells us, now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purpose to come unto you. And instead he goes into the church and devotes himself fully as a priest in the church at the time.