Romans 1 · Verse 14

Romans 1:14

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

Romans 1:14 in other translations

BSBI am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
WEBI am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
ASVI am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
YLTBoth to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor,
DARBYI am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and unintelligent:
BBEI have a debt to Greeks and to the nations outside; to the wise and to those who have no learning.
WebsterI am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise.

What does Romans 1:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 1:14-15
14-15. I am debtor both to the Greeks--cultivated and to the Barbarians--rude.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. I am debtor. This does not mean that they had conferred any favour on him, which bound him to make this return, but that he was under obligation to preach the gospel to all to whom it was possible. This obligation arose from the favour that God had shown him in appointing him to this work. He was specially chosen as a vessel to bear the gospel to the Gentiles, (Acts 9:15; Rom 11:13) and he did not feel that he had discharged the obligation until he had made the gospel known as far as possible among all the nations of the earth.

To the Greeks. This term properly denotes those who dwelt in Greece. But as the Greeks were the most polished people of antiquity, the term came to be synonymous with the polished, the refined, the wise, as opposed to barbarians. In this place it doubtless means the same as "the wise," and includes the Romans also, as it cannot be supposed that Paul would designate the Romans as barbarians. Besides, the Romans, claimed an origin from Greece, and Dionysius Halieaxnassus (book i.) shows that the Italian and Roman people were of Greek descent.

Barbarians. All who were not intended under the general name of Greeks. Thus Ammonius says, that "all who were not Greeks were barbarians." This term barbarian--βαρβαρος--properly denotes one who speaks a foreign language--a foreigner; and the Greeks applied it to all who did not use their tongue. Comp. 1Cor 14:11. "I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian," etc.; i.e., I shall speak a language which he cannot understand. The word did not therefore of necessity denote any rusticity of manners, or any want of refinement.

To the wise. To those who esteemed themselves to be wise, or who boasted of their wisdom. The term is synonymous with "the Greeks," who prided themselves much in their wisdom. 1Cor 1:22, "The Greeks seek after wisdom." Comp. 1Cor 1:19, 3:18,19, 4:19, 2Cor 11:19.

Unwise. Those who were regarded as the ignorant and unpolished part of mankind. The expression is equivalent to ours, "to the learned and the unlearned." It was an evidence of the proper spirit to be willing to preach the gospel to either. The gospel claims to have power to instruct all mankind, and they who are called to preach it should be able to instruct those who esteem themselves to be wise, and who are endowed with science, learning, and talent; and they should be willing to labour to enlighten the most obscure, ignorant, and degraded portions of the race. This is the true spirit of the Christian ministry.

(s) "debtor" 1Cor 9:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians - It has been remarked before that all the nations of the earth, themselves excepted, were termed barbarians by the Greeks. See the origin of the word barbarous in the note on Act 28:2 (note). The apostle considers himself, by his apostolical office and call, under obligation to preach the Gospel to all people, as far as the providence of God might open his way; for this is implied in the Divine commission: - Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature - to the wise and the unwise; to the learned and cultivated as well as to the unlearned and uncultivated. This evidently appears to be the import of the terms.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 1:8-15

We must show love for our friends, not only by praying for them, but by praising God for them. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must remember to say, If the Lord will, Jas 4:15. Our journeys are made prosperous or otherwise, according to the will of God. We should readily impart to others what God has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially taking pleasure in communing with those who…

Read the full comment on Romans 1:8-15 →

Romans 1:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἝλλησίνHellēsinTo GreeksG1672
τεtebothG5037
καὶkaiandG2532
βαρβάροις,barbaroisto barbarians,G915
σοφοῖςsophoisto [the] wiseG4680
τεtebothG5037
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀνοήτοιςanoētoisto [the] foolishG453
ὀφειλέτηςopheiletēsa debtorG3781
εἰμί·eimiI am;G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 1:14

  • 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

    For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. …

  • Acts 9:15

    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:

  • Colossians 3:11

    Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

  • Acts 26:17-18

    Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

  • James 3:17-18

    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • Acts 22:21

    And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

  • Romans 12:16

    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.

  • Romans 13:8

    Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

  • Isaiah 35:8

    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.

  • Ephesians 5:15-17

    See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

  • Romans 16:19

    For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

  • Romans 1:22

    Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
debtor.
8:12; 13:8; *Gr:
Ac 9:15; 13:2-4; 22:21; 26:17,18; 1Co 9:16-23; 2Ti 2:10
Greeks.
Ac 28:4; 1Co 14:11; Col 3:11
both to.
22; 11:25; 12:16; 16:19; Mt 11:25; Lu 10:21; 1Co 1:19-22; 2:13; 3:18
1Co 9:16; 2Co 10:12; 11:19; Eph 5:15-17; Jas 3:17,18
to the unwise.
Pr 1:22; 8:5; Isa 35:8; 1Co 14:16,23,24; Tit 3:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

Read all of Romans 1

Romans 1:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		A Griegos y á bárbaros, á sabios y á no sabios soy deudor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je suis débiteur et envers les Grecs et envers les barbares, et envers les sages et envers les inintelligents:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sowohl Griechen als Barbaren, sowohl Weisen als Unverständigen bin ich ein Schuldner.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Græcis ac barbaris, sapientibus, et insipientibus debitor sum: