Romans 1:14 (WEB)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

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

Romans 1:13 Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

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

Romans 1:15 So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "debtor", "both", "greeks", "foreigners", "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 "Now I don t desire to have..." into verse 15's "So as much as is in me...", 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.