Romans 1:14
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I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I am debtor both to the Greeks--cultivated and to the Barbarians--rude.
Open source ↗In this chapter we may observe, I. The preface and introduction to the whole epistle, to Rom 1:16. II. A description of the deplorable condition of the Gentile world, which begins the proof of the doctrine of justification by faith, here laid down at Rom 1:17. The first is according to the then usual formality of a letter, but intermixed with very excellent and savoury expressions.
Open source ↗1:14 to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world (literally to Greeks and barbarians): The Greeks prided themselves on being sophisticated and cultured, while regarding people from other cultures as inferior. They mocked other peoples’ poorly spoken Greek, claiming that they could only say “bar bar,” a nonsense phrase from which our word barbarian comes. Paul uses this cultural divide to emphasize his intention to preach the Good News to all kinds of people.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it— only those who walk in the Way— and fools will not stray onto it.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.