Romans 1:14 Meaning and Explanation
“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul considers himself obligated to all people, cultured and uncultured, wise and simple alike.
What Does Romans 1:14 Mean?
Paul describes his sense of duty using the sweeping categories of his day: Greeks and barbarians, the wise and the unwise. By naming both sides of each pair, he means to leave no one out. He regards himself as a debtor, one under obligation, to all of them.
Strikingly, Paul feels he owes something to people he has never met. Having received the gospel as a gift, he holds it as a trust to be passed on, and so he is in debt until he shares it. No class of person is beneath this obligation or beyond it, neither the refined nor the rough, the learned nor the simple. The good news levels every human distinction; all alike need it, and all alike may receive it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 1:14
What does Romans 1:14 mean?
Paul considers himself obligated to all people, cultured and uncultured, wise and simple alike.