Romans 1:14
Verse
Context
Unashamed of the Gospel
13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians - It has been remarked before that all the nations of the earth, themselves excepted, were termed barbarians by the Greeks. See the origin of the word barbarous in the note on Act 28:2 (note). The apostle considers himself, by his apostolical office and call, under obligation to preach the Gospel to all people, as far as the providence of God might open his way; for this is implied in the Divine commission: - Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature - to the wise and the unwise; to the learned and cultivated as well as to the unlearned and uncultivated. This evidently appears to be the import of the terms.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I am debtor both to the Greeks--cultivated and to the Barbarians--rude.
John Gill Bible Commentary
I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians,.... The meaning is, that he was obliged by the call he had from God, the injunction that was laid upon him by him, and the gifts with which he was qualified, 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; see Rom 1:16; but here they design only a part of the Gentiles, the inhabitants of Greece, in opposition to all the world besides; for the Greeks used to call all others that were not of themselves Barbarians (e): or else by Greeks are meant the more cultivated nations of the world, and by Barbarians the ruder and more uncivil parts of it; to which agrees the next division of mankind, both to the wise and to the unwise. The Gospel was to be preached "to the wise"; such who thought themselves to be so, and were so with respect to human wisdom and knowledge; though it should be despised by them, as it was, and though few of them were called by it, some were, and still are, though not many; and such wisdom there is in the Gospel, as the wisest of men may learn by it, will be entertaining to them, is far beyond their contempt, and what will serve to exercise their talents and abilities, to search into the knowledge of, and rightly to understand; and it must be preached "to the unwise"; for such God has chosen to confound the wise; these he calls by his grace, and reveals his Gospel to, whilst he hides it from the wise and prudent; and there is that in the Gospel which is plain and easy to the weakest mind, enlightened by the Spirit of God. (e) Cornel. Nepos, l. 1. c. 2, 7. & 2, 3. & 3. 6. & 4. 1. & passim. Quint. Curtius, l. 3. c. 4, 7. & 6. 5. & passim.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:14 to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world (literally to Greeks and barbarians): The Greeks prided themselves on being sophisticated and cultured, while regarding people from other cultures as inferior. They mocked other peoples’ poorly spoken Greek, claiming that they could only say “bar bar,” a nonsense phrase from which our word barbarian comes. Paul uses this cultural divide to emphasize his intention to preach the Good News to all kinds of people.
Romans 1:14
Unashamed of the Gospel
13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Eternity
By Leonard Ravenhill4.6K28:52EternityPSA 90:12ACT 9:4ROM 1:14ROM 3:23PHP 3:7HEB 11:33The sermon transcript discusses the urgency of preaching the gospel of the kingdom in every land before the glorious day of the son of Manuel's appearance. It emphasizes the need to save the souls of the lost, as a thousand million souls are being lost every day. The sermon also highlights the concept of eternity and its impact on motivating believers to work for God. The theme of judgment is explored through a poem that depicts the consequences faced by different individuals, including the rich, the great, the gambler, and the model man, in the afterlife. The sermon concludes with a plea for repentance and salvation before it is too late.
Through the Bible - 2 Kings
By Zac Poonen2.4K57:112KI 5:22ROM 1:14ROM 13:82TI 1:6REV 2:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our debt of love towards one another, as stated in Romans 13:8. He highlights the idea that we owe it to others to share the gospel and the love of God with them. The speaker encourages believers to seek God and stir up the gifts of the Holy Spirit within them, including the gift of prophecy, in order to fulfill this debt. He also discusses the significance of using music in worship that lifts the spirit and directs people towards God, rather than focusing on admiration for the musician. The sermon concludes with a reminder that the Holy Spirit is all we need to do the Lord's work, and we should not underestimate its power.
Apostle Paul's Preaching - Part 3
By Leonard Ravenhill2.1K15:04ROM 1:142CO 12:9PHP 1:27PHP 3:8PHP 4:6This sermon emphasizes the passion and obsession required in preaching, highlighting the need for deep spiritual experiences and a heart that weeps for the congregation. It discusses the importance of enduring trials and weaknesses for the sake of Christ, finding pleasure in infirmities, and allowing the power of Christ to rest upon us. The sermon also touches on living a life that reflects the principles of the Gospel, being a role model for others, and finding peace in God amidst challenges.
Apostle Paul's Preaching - Part 2
By Leonard Ravenhill2.1K15:03PRO 20:27JHN 14:26ROM 1:14GAL 2:20GAL 5:16EPH 5:18PHP 1:13PHP 4:221TH 5:19This sermon emphasizes the power of faith and surrender to God, using the example of Paul's imprisonment and how his testimony impacted even those in high positions. It challenges listeners to live a life fully surrendered to God, seeking to magnify Christ in all circumstances, and to be faithful and obedient regardless of age or achievements.
Paul's Passion and Preaching - Part 4
By Leonard Ravenhill1.5K07:51JHN 14:26ACT 7:22ROM 1:141CO 2:4EPH 5:18PHP 1:20JAS 1:2This sermon emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and obedience over achievements or years lived. It discusses the need for constant spiritual growth and being filled with the Holy Spirit to overflow with His presence. The preacher highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as a gracious guest in our lives, guiding and influencing our thoughts and actions. The sermon also touches on the passion and dedication required in preaching the Gospel, with examples from biblical figures like Moses and John the Baptist.
Celebration of 40 Years of Revival
By Erlo Stegen1.3K1:11:28Revival HistoryMAT 28:19ROM 1:14REV 3:16In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experiences and observations of the state of Christianity over the past 40 years. He expresses his disappointment in seeing people initially accepting Christ but quickly losing their faith. He emphasizes the importance of being under the control of the Holy Spirit and following the teachings of Jesus. The speaker also criticizes Christian youth who prioritize worldly things over the word of God and warns that those who do not keep God's word will not go to heaven.
(Secret of Paul's Authority) 6. Paul Loved All Men
By Zac Poonen1.1K35:42Love for OthersServanthood in MinistryAuthorityROM 1:141CO 9:19Zac Poonen emphasizes that Paul's authority stemmed from his profound love for all people, which was essential for God to commit His authority to him. Paul, despite being an earthen vessel, allowed the treasure of Christ within him to shine through his love and service to others, both believers and unbelievers. He demonstrated that true authority in ministry comes from a heart of servanthood, recognizing the worth of every individual, regardless of their status. Poonen challenges listeners to reflect on their own attitudes towards others, urging them to embody the love of Christ and serve selflessly, as Paul did. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper understanding of love as a fundamental aspect of Christian life and ministry.
The Neglect of God's House
By Hoseah Wu1.1K59:16God's House1CH 17:1NEH 10:39MAT 6:33ROM 1:141CO 9:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of dedicating oneself to God's work. They explain that just as the hand represents work, God's work requires individuals who are willing to place themselves in His hands. The speaker references Romans 12, where Paul encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices. The sermon also highlights the story of a woman who found a page from the Bible used as wrapping paper and was thrilled by it, prompting her to share the word with others. The speaker challenges the audience to examine their own commitment to the Lord and the gathering of His people. They also discuss the concept of being a watchman, referencing passages in Isaiah and other books.
I Am Debtor
By Welcome Detweiler66010:35ROM 1:14In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a man who was lost in the desert and found an oasis with water. The man, filled with gratitude, returned to his party who were dying of thirst and tried to convince them to come with him to the oasis. The preacher uses this story to illustrate the importance of sharing the message of salvation with others. He emphasizes that as Christians, it is our responsibility to proclaim the gospel and offer others the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The preacher concludes by urging the listeners to make a decision to either receive or reject Christ.
Week of Meetings 03 Christ Today-Yesterday
By David Clifford44156:38PSA 119:9MAT 6:9MRK 4:2ROM 1:14In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the concept of sowing and reaping, emphasizing that whatever we sow, we will eventually reap. He then introduces the parable of the sower from Mark 4, explaining that parables are earthly illustrations used by Jesus to convey divine truths. The preacher highlights that in this parable, the soul represents God, the seed represents the word of God, and the soil represents the hearts of people. The sermon emphasizes that God desires a fruitful harvest and uses his servants to sow the seed, with the promise that those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
Owe No Man Anything
By William MacDonald0Christian LoveFinancial ResponsibilityPRO 22:7MAT 6:24LUK 14:28ROM 1:14ROM 13:82CO 9:7PHP 4:191TI 6:10HEB 13:51JN 3:16William MacDonald emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility in his sermon 'Owe No Man Anything,' interpreting Romans 13:8 to mean that while some debts are unavoidable, Christians must avoid unnecessary debt and live within their means. He warns against the dangers of overspending, borrowing for depreciating assets, and the consequences of financial irresponsibility, which can harm one's testimony as a Christian. MacDonald highlights that the only debt Christians should maintain is the obligation to love one another, which fulfills the law and strengthens community bonds.
One Man's Testimony
By Theodore Epp0Obligation to Share the GospelReadiness in FaithROM 1:14Theodore Epp emphasizes Paul's testimony in Romans 1:13-17, where Paul expresses his sense of obligation, readiness, and lack of shame regarding the Gospel. Epp highlights that as believers reconciled through Christ, we have a duty to share the message of reconciliation with others. He stresses the importance of being mentally prepared to fulfill God's will and the significance of standing firm in our faith without shame. Ultimately, our faithfulness in this ministry will be a key aspect when we stand before Christ.
Ephesians 1
By Paris Reidhead0JHN 17:18ROM 1:14EPH 1:1Paris Reidhead preaches on Ephesians 1, emphasizing that every Christian is called to be a missionary, sent by God with a specific purpose. He highlights the importance of faith, obedience, and love as inseparable hallmarks of genuine Christian life, pointing out that God's intention is for believers to be wholly His and holy. Reidhead stresses that being well-born spiritually is just the beginning, as God's ultimate desire is for His grace to be glorified through the transformed lives of His children.
Missionary Churches
By Keith Malcomson0ACT 1:8ACT 8:1ACT 11:21ACT 11:24ACT 11:26ACT 13:1ACT 14:26ROM 1:14Keith Malcomson preaches on the importance of a missionary-minded Church, using the example of the Church in Antioch from Acts 13:1-2. He emphasizes the need for local Churches to be prepared, trained, and led by the Holy Spirit to send out missionaries who are willing to sacrifice and minister to the Lord and the lost. The sermon highlights the characteristics of a pioneer, gifted, Christlike, ministering, sacrificial, supportive, and revived Church, drawing lessons from the early Church in Antioch and the missionary movements it birthed.
"I Am debtor."
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne0SalvationGratitudeROM 1:14EPH 2:8Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound debt of gratitude we owe to Christ for our salvation and the transformative power of His love. He reflects on the ultimate understanding of this debt that will come in glory, contrasting it with our current struggles and the need for divine assistance in recognizing and demonstrating this debt through our lives. M'Cheyne encourages believers to show their love for Christ and others as a reflection of how much they owe Him, even amidst trials and tribulations.
Every Christian a Witness
By T.T. Shields0JHN 18:37ACT 1:8ACT 9:6ACT 9:15ROM 1:14ROM 8:211CO 1:18EPH 1:72TI 4:7T.T. Shields preaches on the solemn obligation of every believer to be a witness for Jesus Christ, emphasizing the debt we owe to Him for His redeeming love and the need to share the gospel with all people. Using the Apostle Paul as an example, he highlights the passion and dedication required to fulfill this obligation, stressing that effective witnessing stems from a deep personal relationship with Jesus. Shields encourages dedicating all our natural powers and developing our latent abilities to serve the Lord, reminding us that even our smallest efforts, when surrendered to God, can lead to great victories in His name.
"So Spake"
By Samuel Logan Brengle0The Power of the SpiritEffective PreachingPRO 16:24JHN 3:16ACT 14:1ACT 20:21ROM 1:142CO 4:132CO 5:14PHP 2:172TI 1:121PE 3:15Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the profound impact of the apostles' preaching in Iconium, attributing their success to three key elements: their manner, matter, and spirit. He highlights that their gracious and persuasive manner won the hearts of many, while their message was filled with the joy and seriousness of the Gospel, calling for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Brengle asserts that the right spirit, fueled by love and faith, was the driving force behind their ability to inspire a multitude to believe. He encourages preachers to cultivate a heartfelt connection to God, as it shapes both their message and delivery. Ultimately, Brengle concludes that a heart filled with love for God and others is essential for effective ministry.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians - It has been remarked before that all the nations of the earth, themselves excepted, were termed barbarians by the Greeks. See the origin of the word barbarous in the note on Act 28:2 (note). The apostle considers himself, by his apostolical office and call, under obligation to preach the Gospel to all people, as far as the providence of God might open his way; for this is implied in the Divine commission: - Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature - to the wise and the unwise; to the learned and cultivated as well as to the unlearned and uncultivated. This evidently appears to be the import of the terms.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I am debtor both to the Greeks--cultivated and to the Barbarians--rude.
John Gill Bible Commentary
I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians,.... The meaning is, that he was obliged by the call he had from God, the injunction that was laid upon him by him, and the gifts with which he was qualified, 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; see Rom 1:16; but here they design only a part of the Gentiles, the inhabitants of Greece, in opposition to all the world besides; for the Greeks used to call all others that were not of themselves Barbarians (e): or else by Greeks are meant the more cultivated nations of the world, and by Barbarians the ruder and more uncivil parts of it; to which agrees the next division of mankind, both to the wise and to the unwise. The Gospel was to be preached "to the wise"; such who thought themselves to be so, and were so with respect to human wisdom and knowledge; though it should be despised by them, as it was, and though few of them were called by it, some were, and still are, though not many; and such wisdom there is in the Gospel, as the wisest of men may learn by it, will be entertaining to them, is far beyond their contempt, and what will serve to exercise their talents and abilities, to search into the knowledge of, and rightly to understand; and it must be preached "to the unwise"; for such God has chosen to confound the wise; these he calls by his grace, and reveals his Gospel to, whilst he hides it from the wise and prudent; and there is that in the Gospel which is plain and easy to the weakest mind, enlightened by the Spirit of God. (e) Cornel. Nepos, l. 1. c. 2, 7. & 2, 3. & 3. 6. & 4. 1. & passim. Quint. Curtius, l. 3. c. 4, 7. & 6. 5. & passim.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:14 to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world (literally to Greeks and barbarians): The Greeks prided themselves on being sophisticated and cultured, while regarding people from other cultures as inferior. They mocked other peoples’ poorly spoken Greek, claiming that they could only say “bar bar,” a nonsense phrase from which our word barbarian comes. Paul uses this cultural divide to emphasize his intention to preach the Good News to all kinds of people.