Romans 1:14 kjv

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Romans 1:14 nkjv

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

Romans 1:14 niv

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

Romans 1:14 esv

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Romans 1:14 nlt

For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.

Romans 1 verses

Romans 1 14 Meaning

Romans 1:14 expresses the Apostle Paul's profound sense of personal obligation or 'debt' to proclaim the Gospel message to all people, without exception. This obligation stems not from human requirement but from his divine call and the grace he received. He identifies this universal audience by culturally distinct groups (Greeks and non-Greeks, also called barbarians) and intellectually distinct groups (the wise and the foolish), indicating that the Gospel is intended for everyone, irrespective of their background, status, or intellectual capacity. Paul sees himself as entrusted with this life-transforming truth and, therefore, compelled to deliver it to every person.

Romans 1 14 Context

Romans 1:14 stands within the introductory section of Paul's letter to the Roman believers (Romans 1:1-17). Following his self-identification as an apostle of Christ and servant set apart for the Gospel, Paul expresses his heartfelt longing to visit Rome and share the spiritual gift of encouragement (vv. 8-12). This desire culminates in verse 14, where he articulates the foundational principle driving his missionary passion. It clarifies that his eagerness to preach the Gospel in Rome, and elsewhere, is not arbitrary but flows from a deeply held sense of divine obligation to reach every kind of person with the message of salvation. This verse serves as a crucial bridge to his powerful declaration in verse 16 regarding the universal power of the Gospel for "everyone who believes." Historically, Rome was a diverse melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and intellectual traditions, making it a symbolic and actual representation of the "Greeks and barbarians," "wise and foolish," to whom Paul felt compelled to minister.

Romans 1 14 Word analysis

• "I am obligated": From the Greek opheiletēs (ὀφειλέτης), meaning "debtor," "one who owes." This is a strong term. It's not a mere suggestion or preference but indicates a binding responsibility. Paul perceives himself as holding a spiritual debt, not one owed to humanity but for humanity, originating from God's call and grace (Rom 1:5) and requiring the proclamation of the Gospel. His receipt of grace makes him a "debtor" to distribute this grace.

• "both to Greeks": From the Greek Hellēsin (Ἕλλησιν). In Paul's time, "Greeks" signified not merely an ethnic group, but a cultural designation for those who spoke Greek and participated in Greco-Roman civilization, embracing its philosophy, arts, and urbanity. They were considered culturally sophisticated and educated.

• "and non-Greeks": From the Greek barbarois (βαρβάροις), typically translated as "barbarians." This term broadly referred to anyone who did not speak Greek, perceived by Greeks as uncultured or uncivilized. It encompasses a vast array of peoples and represents a contrast to the sophisticated "Greeks," illustrating the universality beyond perceived cultural refinement.

• "both to the wise": From the Greek sophos (σοφός). This refers to those who were intellectually cultivated, philosophers, rhetoricians, and scholars. They valued human wisdom, logic, and rational discourse.

• "and the foolish": From the Greek anoētos (ἀνόητος). This term means "senseless," "unwise," or "ignorant," denoting those without formal education or intellectual understanding, often seen as unsophisticated or unlearned. Paul’s use indicates the Gospel's simplicity and accessibility, challenging human intellectual pride (1 Cor 1:26-29).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks": This phrase dissolves cultural, ethnic, and social boundaries in the context of Gospel ministry. It underscores that God's plan of salvation transcends human divisions of refinement or civility, embracing every cultural segment of humanity.
  • "both to the wise and the foolish": This phrase addresses intellectual and educational distinctions, emphasizing that the Gospel is not limited to an intellectual elite, nor is it beyond the grasp of the unlearned. The divine wisdom revealed in Christ stands superior to, and inclusive of, all human attempts at wisdom.

Romans 1 14 Bonus section

Paul's understanding of his "obligation" profoundly shaped his apostolic praxis. This wasn't a burden of law but an inner spiritual necessity born from gratitude and love for Christ and lost souls. This internal compulsion freed him to adapt his presentation (1 Cor 9:22) without compromising the Gospel message itself, allowing him to be "all things to all people, that by all means I might save some." The very concept of being "a debtor" to share the Gospel implicitly carries the understanding that salvation is not a product of human merit (wisdom, culture) but God's gracious intervention. The universality implied here also prepares the reader for the radical claim in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," making everyone equally in need of the universal provision of grace.

Romans 1 14 Commentary

Paul's declaration in Romans 1:14 highlights a foundational aspect of his apostleship and, by extension, Christian mission. His sense of "obligation" (opheiletēs) is rooted not in legalistic debt but in a spiritual mandate stemming from God's electing grace and entrustment of the Gospel (1 Thess 2:4). Having freely received the message of salvation, Paul sees himself as indebted to freely give it (Matt 10:8). This divine compulsion compelled him to share the Gospel without prejudice or preference.

The inclusion of "Greeks and non-Greeks, the wise and the foolish" systematically dismantles every human-made barrier to the Gospel. Culturally, "Greeks" represented the apex of classical civilization, while "barbarians" (non-Greeks) symbolized the vast majority deemed outside this cultivated sphere. Intellectually, "the wise" represented the philosophical and educated elite, contrasted with "the foolish" (the unlearned or simple). By embracing all these categories, Paul demonstrates the boundless scope of God's redemptive grace. The Gospel transcends all human classifications, uniting diverse people groups and intellectual capacities under the sole headship of Christ.

This profound universality means that no one is beyond the reach or need of the Gospel, nor is anyone exclusively privileged to receive it. For Paul, the debt to share was personal, apostolic, and non-negotiable, embodying the Lord's Great Commission to disciple "all nations" (Matt 28:19). It calls believers today to mirror this selfless commitment, recognizing our own 'debt' of love to share the unmerited grace we have received, regardless of another's background, education, or social standing. For example, like Paul, modern believers are called to reach people across cultural divides (immigrants and indigenous peoples), socio-economic spectra (wealthy professionals and marginalized communities), and intellectual ranges (academics and those with learning difficulties), ensuring the Good News truly reaches "every tribe and language and people and nation."