CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 1:14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/1-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/45_Rom_01_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 1:14 - Paul's Desire to Visit Rome" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/1-14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/1-14.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 14</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/1-13.htm" title="Romans 1:13">◄</a> Romans 1:14 <a href="/romans/1-15.htm" title="Romans 1:15">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/1.htm">New International Version</a> I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/nlt/romans/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/romans/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/blb/romans/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/kjv/romans/1.htm">King James Bible</a> I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. <a href="/nkjv/romans/1.htm">New King James Version</a> I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. <a href="/nasb_/romans/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/nasb/romans/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/nasb77/romans/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/lsb/romans/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/amp/romans/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I have a duty to perform and a debt to pay both to Greeks and to barbarians [the cultured and the uncultured], both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/csb/romans/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/hcsb/romans/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/asv/romans/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/erv/romans/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/gwt/romans/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I have an obligation to those who are civilized and those who aren't, to those who are wise and those who aren't. <a href="/gnt/romans/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> For I have an obligation to all peoples, to the civilized and to the savage, to the educated and to the ignorant. <a href="/isv/romans/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to foolish people, I am a debtor. <a href="/msb/romans/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/net/romans/1.htm">NET Bible</a> I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/nheb/romans/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I have an obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. <a href="/wbt/romans/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise. <a href="/wey/romans/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and to others, to cultured and to uncultured people: <a href="/web/romans/1.htm">World English Bible</a> I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor, <a href="/blb/romans/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. <a href="/ylt/romans/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor, <a href="/slt/romans/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Both to Greeks, and foreigners; both to wise and unwise, I am debtor.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> To the Greeks and to the barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor; <a href="/cpdv/romans/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> To the Greeks and to the uncivilized, to the wise and to the foolish, I am in debt. <a href="/nabre/romans/1.htm">New American Bible</a> To Greeks and non-Greeks alike, to the wise and the ignorant, I am under obligation; <a href="/nrsvce/romans/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Greeks and Barbarians, the wise and the unwise; for it is my duty to preach to everybody. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Greeks and Barbarians, wise and ignorant, for I owe a debt to preach to every person.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise. <a href="/godbey/romans/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and the unwise: <a href="/haweis/romans/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Both to the Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the ignorant am I a debtor. <a href="/mace/romans/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I owe what service I can do to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, to the learned, and to the illiterate. <a href="/wey/romans/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and to others, to cultured and to uncultured people: <a href="/worrell/romans/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish; <a href="/worsley/romans/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the learned and the unlearned: <a href="/parallel/romans/1-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</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> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/1.htm">Paul's Desire to Visit Rome</a> …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. 14<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: opheiletēs (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: Hellēsin (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: anoētois (Adj-DMP) -- Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual.">the foolish.</a> 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-16.htm">1 Corinthians 9:16-17</a> 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. <a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a> “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22-24</a> 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. <a href="/galatians/2-7.htm">Galatians 2:7-8</a> 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’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. <a href="/acts/13-46.htm">Acts 13:46-47</a> Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “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: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” <a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19-22</a> 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. ... <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a> 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.” <a href="/acts/22-21.htm">Acts 22:21</a> Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14-15</a> For Christ’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. <a href="/colossians/1-28.htm">Colossians 1:28-29</a> 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. <a href="/1_timothy/2-7.htm">1 Timothy 2:7</a> 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. <a href="/acts/26-16.htm">Acts 26:16-18</a> ‘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.’ <a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Ephesians 3:8</a> 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, <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a> He says: “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.” <a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Jeremiah 1:5</a> “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.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.debtor.<a href="/romans/8-12.htm">Romans 8:12</a> Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.<a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8</a> Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.<a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a> 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:Greeks.<a href="/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4</a> And when the barbarians saw the venomous 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.<a href="/1_corinthians/14-11.htm">1 Corinthians 14:11</a> Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.<a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a> Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.both to.<a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a> Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,<a href="/romans/11-25.htm">Romans 11:25</a> 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.<a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Romans 12:16</a> Be 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.to the unwise.<a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a> How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?<a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Proverbs 8:5</a> O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.<a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a> 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 shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.<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>1. <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Paul commends his calling to the Romans;</a> 9. <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">and his desire to come to them.</a> 16. <a href="/romans/1-16.htm">What his gospel is.</a> 18. <a href="/romans/1-18.htm">God is angry with sin.</a> 21. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">What were the sins of mankind.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>I am obligated 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.both to Greeks and non-Greeks 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>).both to the wise and the foolish 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. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle and author of the letter to the Romans, who is expressing his sense of duty to preach the gospel to all people. 2. <a href="/topical/g/greeks.htm">Greeks</a> Refers to the Hellenistic culture and people, often seen as the educated and cultured class in the Roman Empire. 3. <a href="/topical/n/non-greeks.htm">Non-Greeks (Barbarians)</a> This term was used to describe those who were not part of the Greek culture, often considered less cultured or educated. 4. <a href="/topical/w/wise.htm">Wise</a> Those who are educated or knowledgeable, possibly referring to philosophers or scholars of the time. 5. <a href="/topical/f/foolish.htm">Foolish</a> Those who lack education or are considered simple-minded, representing the broader spectrum of society.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/universal_obligation.htm">Universal Obligation</a> Paul’s sense of obligation to all people, regardless of their cultural or intellectual status, challenges us to view the gospel as a universal message. <a href="/topical/b/breaking_cultural_barriers.htm">Breaking Cultural Barriers</a> The gospel transcends cultural and intellectual barriers, calling us to reach out to diverse groups without prejudice. <a href="/topical/e/embracing_diversity_in_ministry.htm">Embracing Diversity in Ministry</a> We are called to minister to both the "wise" and the "foolish," recognizing the value and need of every individual for the gospel. <a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_the_gospel.htm">Stewardship of the Gospel</a> Like Paul, we are stewards of the gospel, entrusted with the responsibility to share it with all people. <a href="/topical/c/compassionate_outreach.htm">Compassionate Outreach</a> 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> <a href="/q/what_does_anthropopathism_mean.htm">What does 'Foolishness of the Message' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_rome.htm">What does the Bible say about Rome?</a> <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> <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.(14) To the Greeks, and to the Barbarians.--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.Wise and foolish.--(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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 14, 15. - 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. The two divisions of mankind into (1) Ἔλληνες καὶ Βάρβαροι, (2) σοφοὶ καὶ ἀνοήτοι, 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 Βάρβαροι, so that Ἕλληνεσ καὶ Βάρβαροι included the whole world. Here the Romans are intended to be included among Ἕλληνες, being partakers in Hellenic culture, and in fact at that time its prominent representatives (el. "Non solum Graecia et Italia, sod etiam omnis barbaria," Cicero, 'De Fin.,' 2:15). Of course, σοφοὶ 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). <a href="/commentaries/romans/1-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I am εἰμί (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. obligated ὀφειλέτης (opheiletēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3781.htm">Strong's 3781: </a> From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor. both τε (te) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_5037.htm">Strong's 5037: </a> And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also. to Greeks Ἕλλησίν (Hellēsin) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1672.htm">Strong's 1672: </a> From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. non-Greeks, Βαρβάροις (Barbarois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_915.htm">Strong's 915: </a> A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner. both τε (te) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_5037.htm">Strong's 5037: </a> And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also. to [the] wise σοφοῖς (sophois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4680.htm">Strong's 4680: </a> Wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever. Akin to saphes; wise. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [the] foolish. ἀνοήτοις (anoētois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_453.htm">Strong's 453: </a> Foolish, thoughtless. By implication, sensual. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/1-14.htm">Romans 1:14 Catholic Bible</a> <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>