Romans 1:14 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Romans 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

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

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

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: 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 "unwise". 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 "Now 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.