Romans 1:14 (ASV)

Passage

I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Nearby Context

Romans 1:12 that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other`s faith, both yours and mine.

Romans 1:13 And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.

Romans 1:14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "debtor", "both", "greeks", "barbarians", "wise", and "foolish". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "debtor" and "both", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "And I would not have you ignorant..." into verse 15's "So as much as in me is...", so "debtor" and "both" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "debtor" and "both" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.