“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” 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.
Romans 1:14-16
One’s gratitude for their own salvation is a great gauge of their fortitude in wanting to reach a lost world. Paul had a fire in his soul that burnt like a flame thrower for the lost souls of his day. This fire was fueled by the saving of his own soul. He was an example of the powerful mercy and grace of God. The Damascus road seemed to ever be upon his heart and mind. Paul was a part of the evidence of the power of the saving message of the Gospel and so Paul was obligated to the lost.
Paul was a debtor (obligated) to the Greeks. In our society today, these would be the wise and the cultured; those on main street. Paul was also a debtor to the Barbarians. We would know them as the uncultured, perhaps those who might be rude and rough. Paul did not make a distinction between the two. He knew all had sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Paul was a debtor to the Greeks and the Barbarians and he was ready (eager) to preach the Gospel at Rome. Rome was a place where philosophy and filth walked hand in hand. The philosophies of Rome did not detour him neither did the great thinkers of this self-proclaimed mighty city. The emperors were worshipped as gods. Their lifestyles were lavish and luxurious yet it was a cesspool of sin. Paul saw these people thru the eyes of Jesus; they were lost and needed to be saved. Are you ready and willing to share the Gospel? Look around because things have not changed since Paul penned this letter. The Gospel is still needed.
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