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Romans 1:14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/romans/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to <i>the</i> wise and <i>the</i> foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I have a duty to perform <i>and</i> a debt to pay both to Greeks and to barbarians [the cultured and the uncultured], both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/1.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />I have an obligation to those who are civilized and those who aren't, to those who are wise and those who aren't.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For I have an obligation to all peoples, to the civilized and to the savage, to the educated and to the ignorant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to foolish people, I am a debtor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I have an obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and to others, to cultured and to uncultured people:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to <i>the</i> wise and <i>the</i> foolish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Both to Greeks, and foreigners; both to wise and unwise, I am debtor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To the Greeks and to the barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />To the Greeks and to the uncivilized, to the wise and to the foolish, I am in debt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />To Greeks and non-Greeks alike, to the wise and the ignorant, I am under obligation;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Greeks and Barbarians, the wise and the unwise; for it is my duty to preach to everybody.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Greeks and Barbarians, wise and ignorant, for I owe a debt to preach to every person.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and the unwise:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Both to the Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the ignorant am I a debtor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />I owe what service I can do to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, to the learned, and to the illiterate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and to others, to cultured and to uncultured people:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><i>For</i> I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to <i>the</i> learned and <i>the</i> unlearned:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/1-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=116" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm">Paul's Desire to Visit Rome</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">13</span>I 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. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">I am</a> <a href="/greek/3781.htm" title="3781: opheilet&#275;s (N-NMS) -- From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor.">obligated</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.">both</a> <a href="/greek/1672.htm" title="1672: Hell&#275;sin (N-DMP) -- From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.">to Greeks</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/915.htm" title="915: Barbarois (Adj-DMP) -- A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner.">non-Greeks,</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.">both</a> <a href="/greek/4680.htm" title="4680: sophois (Adj-DMP) -- Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise.">to the wise</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/453.htm" title="453: ano&#275;tois (Adj-DMP) -- Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.">the foolish.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-16.htm">1 Corinthians 9:16-17</a></span><br />Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! / If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a></span><br />&#8220;Go!&#8221; said the Lord. &#8220;This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22-24</a></span><br />Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, / but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, / but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-7.htm">Galatians 2:7-8</a></span><br />On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. / For the One who was at work in Peter&#8217;s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-46.htm">Acts 13:46-47</a></span><br />Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: &#8220;It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: &#8216;I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.&#8217;&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19-22</a></span><br />Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. / To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. / To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a></span><br />Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/22-21.htm">Acts 22:21</a></span><br />Then He said to me, &#8216;Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.&#8217;&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14-15</a></span><br />For Christ&#8217;s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. / And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-28.htm">Colossians 1:28-29</a></span><br />We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. / To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-7.htm">1 Timothy 2:7</a></span><br />For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-16.htm">Acts 26:16-18</a></span><br />&#8216;But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. / I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Ephesians 3:8</a></span><br />Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a></span><br />He says: &#8220;It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Jeremiah 1:5</a></span><br />&#8220;Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.&#8221;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.</p><p class="hdg">debtor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-12.htm">Romans 8:12</a></b></br> Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8</a></b></br> Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a></b></br> But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:</p><p class="hdg">Greeks.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4</a></b></br> And when the barbarians saw the <i>venomous</i> beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/14-11.htm">1 Corinthians 14:11</a></b></br> Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh <i>shall be</i> a barbarian unto me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a></b></br> Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond <i>nor</i> free: but Christ <i>is</i> all, and in all.</p><p class="hdg">both to.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a></b></br> Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/11-25.htm">Romans 11:25</a></b></br> For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Romans 12:16</a></b></br> <i>Be</i> of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.</p><p class="hdg">to the unwise.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a></b></br> How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Proverbs 8:5</a></b></br> O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a></b></br> And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it <i>shall be</i> for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err <i>therein</i>.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/26-22.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/romans/1-13.htm">Already</a> <a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Barbarians</a> <a href="/acts/24-3.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/acts/4-25.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/acts/28-2.htm">Foreigners</a> <a href="/acts/21-28.htm">Greeks</a> <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Greek-Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/26-24.htm">Learning</a> <a href="/romans/1-13.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Obligated</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-32.htm">Obligation</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-25.htm">Obligations</a> <a href="/acts/28-24.htm">Others</a> <a href="/acts/26-8.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/job/39-24.htm">Races</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-12.htm">Thoughtless</a> <a href="/acts/19-36.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/acts/26-25.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Already</a> <a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Barbarians</a> <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-21.htm">Foreigners</a> <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Greeks</a> <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Greek-Speaking</a> <a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Learning</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">Obligated</a> <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Obligation</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-5.htm">Obligations</a> <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Others</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-10.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/job/39-24.htm">Races</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Thoughtless</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-36.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Paul commends his calling to the Romans;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/1-9.htm">and his desire to come to them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/1-16.htm">What his gospel is.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">God is angry with sin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">What were the sins of mankind.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/romans/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>I am obligated</b><br>Paul expresses a deep sense of duty and responsibility. This obligation is not self-imposed but divinely mandated, reflecting his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles (<a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a>). The term "obligated" suggests a debt that must be repaid, indicating Paul's commitment to share the gospel with all people.<p><b>both to Greeks and non-Greeks</b><br>The phrase highlights the universal scope of Paul's mission. "Greeks" refers to those who were part of the Hellenistic culture, which was dominant in the Roman Empire. "Non-Greeks" (or "barbarians" in some translations) refers to those outside this cultural sphere. This distinction underscores the inclusivity of the gospel, breaking down cultural and ethnic barriers (<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>).<p><b>both to the wise and the foolish</b><br>Paul's message is for all intellectual and social classes. "The wise" could refer to the educated and philosophically inclined, while "the foolish" might denote those without formal education or societal status. This reflects the biblical principle that God's wisdom often confounds human wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18-25</a>). The gospel is accessible to everyone, regardless of intellectual capacity or social standing.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle and author of the letter to the Romans, who is expressing his sense of duty to preach the gospel to all people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/greeks.htm">Greeks</a></b><br>Refers to the Hellenistic culture and people, often seen as the educated and cultured class in the Roman Empire.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/non-greeks.htm">Non-Greeks (Barbarians)</a></b><br>This term was used to describe those who were not part of the Greek culture, often considered less cultured or educated.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wise.htm">Wise</a></b><br>Those who are educated or knowledgeable, possibly referring to philosophers or scholars of the time.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/foolish.htm">Foolish</a></b><br>Those who lack education or are considered simple-minded, representing the broader spectrum of society.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/universal_obligation.htm">Universal Obligation</a></b><br>Paul&#8217;s sense of obligation to all people, regardless of their cultural or intellectual status, challenges us to view the gospel as a universal message.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/breaking_cultural_barriers.htm">Breaking Cultural Barriers</a></b><br>The gospel transcends cultural and intellectual barriers, calling us to reach out to diverse groups without prejudice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/embracing_diversity_in_ministry.htm">Embracing Diversity in Ministry</a></b><br>We are called to minister to both the "wise" and the "foolish," recognizing the value and need of every individual for the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_the_gospel.htm">Stewardship of the Gospel</a></b><br>Like Paul, we are stewards of the gospel, entrusted with the responsibility to share it with all people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassionate_outreach.htm">Compassionate Outreach</a></b><br>Our obligation should be driven by love and compassion, seeking to meet people where they are, just as Christ did.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_anthropopathism_mean.htm">What does 'Foolishness of the Message' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_rome.htm">What does the Bible say about Rome?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_call_nonbelievers_'foolish'.htm">(Romans 1:21-22) How can these verses label nonbelievers as 'foolish' when many brilliant minds throughout history have not believed in God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_open_criticism_better_than_hidden_love.htm">What does Romans 6:14 mean about sin's dominion?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14, 15) Why is the Apostle so eager to come to them? Because an obligation, a duty, is laid upon him. (Comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-16.htm" title="For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid on me; yes, woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel!">1Corinthians 9:16</a>, "necessity is laid upon me.") He must preach the gospel to men of all classes and tongues; Rome itself is no exception.<p>(14) <span class= "bld">To the Greeks, and to the Barbarians.</span>--The Apostle does not intend to place the Romans any more in the one class than in the other. He merely means "to all mankind, no matter what their nationality or culture." The classification is exhaustive. It must be remembered that the Greeks called all who did not speak their own language "Barbarians," and the Apostle, writing from. Greece, adopts their point of view.<p><span class= "bld">Wise and foolish.</span>--(Comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm" title="Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?">1Corinthians 1:20</a>; <a href="/context/1_corinthians/1-26.htm" title="For you see your calling, brothers, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:">1Corinthians 1:26-28</a>.) The gospel was at first most readily received by the poor and unlearned, but it did not therefore follow that culture and education were by any means excluded. St. Paul himself was a conspicuous instance to the contrary. And so, in the next century, the Church which began with such leaders as Ignatius and Polycarp, could number among its members before the century was out, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria, and Hippolytus, and Origen--the last, the most learned man of his time.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14, 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Both to Greeks and Barbarians, both to wise and unwise, I am debtor. So, as much as is in me, to you also that are at Rome, I am ready to preach the gospel.</span> The two divisions of mankind into <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> <span class="greek">&#x1f1c;&#x3bb;&#x3bb;&#x3b7;&#x3bd;&#x3b5;&#x3c2;&#x20;&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x1f76;&#x20;&#x392;&#x1f71;&#x3c1;&#x3b2;&#x3b1;&#x3c1;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span>, <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> <span class="greek">&#x3c3;&#x3bf;&#x3c6;&#x3bf;&#x1f76;&#x20;&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x1f76;</span> <span class="greek">&#x1f00;&#x3bd;&#x3bf;&#x1f75;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span>, are intended to include all, independently of nationality and culture, regarded from a Greek or Roman point of view. The Greeks, as is well known, called all others than themselves <span class="greek">&#x392;&#x1f71;&#x3c1;&#x3b2;&#x3b1;&#x3c1;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span>, so that <span class="greek">&#x1f1d;&#x3bb;&#x3bb;&#x3b7;&#x3bd;&#x3b5;&#x3c3;&#x20;&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x1f76;&#x20;&#x392;&#x1f71;&#x3c1;&#x3b2;&#x3b1;&#x3c1;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span> included the whole world. Here the Romans are intended to be included among <span class="greek">&#x1f1d;&#x3bb;&#x3bb;&#x3b7;&#x3bd;&#x3b5;&#x3c2;</span>, being partakers in Hellenic culture, and in fact at that time its prominent representatives (el. "Non solum <span class="accented">Graecia</span> et <span class="accented">Italia</span>, sod etiam omnis <span class="accented">barbaria</span>," Cicero, 'De Fin.,' 2:15). Of course, <span class="greek">&#x3c3;&#x3bf;&#x3c6;&#x3bf;&#x1f76;</span> also includes them. The obvious intention of the writer is to place them in each of the higher categories, and so, while after his manner he pays his expected readers a delicate compliment, to insist that his mission is to the highest in position and culture as well as the lowest, cud that, bold in his convictions, he is not ashamed to preach the cross even to them. "Audax facinus ad crucem vocare terrarum Dominos" (Alex. More. quoted by Olshausen). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/1-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">I am</span><br /><span class="grk">&#949;&#7984;&#956;&#943;</span> <span class="translit">(eimi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">obligated</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8000;&#966;&#949;&#953;&#955;&#941;&#964;&#951;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(opheilet&#275;s)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3781.htm">Strong's 3781: </a> </span><span class="str2">From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#949;</span> <span class="translit">(te)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5037.htm">Strong's 5037: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Greeks</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7965;&#955;&#955;&#951;&#963;&#943;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(Hell&#275;sin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1672.htm">Strong's 1672: </a> </span><span class="str2">From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">non-Greeks,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#914;&#945;&#961;&#946;&#940;&#961;&#959;&#953;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(Barbarois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_915.htm">Strong's 915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#949;</span> <span class="translit">(te)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5037.htm">Strong's 5037: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to [the] wise</span><br /><span class="grk">&#963;&#959;&#966;&#959;&#8150;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(sophois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4680.htm">Strong's 4680: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] foolish.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#957;&#959;&#942;&#964;&#959;&#953;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(ano&#275;tois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_453.htm">Strong's 453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/1-14.htm">NT Letters: Romans 1:14 I am debtor both to Greeks (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/1-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 1:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 1:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/1-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 1:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 1:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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