Romans 1:14

Debtor. Paul felt that “necessity” had been “laid upon” him to preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16). This sense of obligation to make the gospel known as far as possible to all the nations of earth may have been due in part to his special commission to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:13). But a similar obligation rests upon all Christians everywhere, who have received the blessings of a knowledge of salvation (see MB 135).

To the Greeks. Paul adopts the conventional Greek division of all mankind into Greeks and non-Greeks. The Greeks regarded all people who spoke any language other than their own as barbarians. The term is not necessarily one of reproach. The distinction is primarily one of language and race (see 1 Cor. 14:11). At Rome, the great metropolis, were representatives of all nations and all levels of culture and learning. Paul declares his indebtedness to preach the gospel to the whole Gentile world, regardless of race and culture.

To the wise. The gospel has a message for all. Philosophers were inclined to scorn the ignorant multitude. Jewish scribes regarded as cursed, people who did not know the law (John 7:49). But the gospel is for all men. In fact, it seems to have been most readily received at first by the common people (1 Cor. 1:26-29). Nor were the “wise” to be overlooked. The Greeks prided themselves in their wisdom and sought eagerly after it (1 Cor. 1:22). Nevertheless, the gospel was for them also. Paul himself was highly educated. People may differ in language, culture, and intelligence, but the gospel is for all. The relation in which men stand to Christ is deeper than national and personal distinctions.