What does Paul mean by "debtor" in Romans 1:14?
"14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."
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Asked July 18 2014
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WONDWOSSEN SEIFU SHIFERAW
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Singapore Moses
Greek: opheiletes (G3781) is used to refer "debtor meaning one under an obligation or bound to some duty (Mt. 6:12; 18:24; Lk. 13:4; Rom. 1:14; 8:12; 15:27). Paul was obliged to preach the Gospel to all sorts of men; who are here distinguished into Greeks and Barbarians: sometimes by Greeks are meant the Gentiles in general, in opposition to the Jews. Paul's efforts were not limited by class. He said, "both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise." In Roman society there were these classifications: "Greeks" and "Barbarians." Also there some considered "wise" and others "unwise." Paul considered himself obligated to all! In our society there are also a variety of classifications according to income, education, race, age and worldly standards. In preaching the gospel we ought to ignore all of this, and consider ourselves obligated to preach to everybody the unsearchable riches of Christ. "I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Rom. 1:14-17).
Doreen Lovell
Romans 1:1, 5, 14 1. "Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle separated unto the Gospel of God. (meaning an apostle by way of God's sovereign call) 5. "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name". (Grace, an unmerited favor--- emphasizes the ministry in relation to Paul; he did not deserve or earn it. Apostleship emphasizes the ministry in relation to others; to teach with authority and to establish churches) 14 "I AM A DEBTOR BOTH TO THE GREEKS, AND TO THE BARBARIANS; BOTH TO THE WISE, AND TO THE UNWISE" Debtor signifies one who is morally obligated. Because of his call and gift of apostleship (Vs 1, 5), Paul was obligated culturally to the GREEKS. These people were cultured and refined. To the BARBARIANS---these were strangers to the Greek language and culture. Educationally, he was indebted to the WISE, be it in handicraft, affairs of life or sciences. He was also indebted to the UNWISE, or unlearned. This was Paul's way of expressing his desire and urge to get the gospel to everyone.
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