Romans 1:14

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Cross-references

Romans 15:19 demonstrates Paul's fulfillment of his debt, having preached the gospel fully from Jerusalem to Illyricum.

In Matthew 11:25, Jesus thanks the Father for hiding truth from the wise — contrasting with Paul's obligation to preach to both wise and foolish.

Luke 10:21 Contrast

In Luke 10:21, Jesus rejoices that the Father hides things from the wise and reveals to infants — contrasting with Paul's debt to both wise and foolish.

Acts 9:15 Historical context

Acts 9:15 declares Paul's commission to carry God's name to Gentiles, kings, and Israel — the very universal audience he feels obligated to in Romans 1:14.

Acts 13:2–4 Historical context

Acts 13:2-4 recounts the Holy Spirit sending Paul on his first missionary journey — the practical outworking of his obligation to Greeks and barbarians.

Acts 22:21 Historical context

In Acts 22:21, Jesus sends Paul far away to the Gentiles — directly grounding his obligation to all people in Romans 1:14.

Acts 26:17 Historical context

In Acts 26:17, Paul's commission to be sent to the Gentiles directly explains his obligation to Greeks and barbarians in Romans 1:14.

Acts 26:18 Parallel

Acts 26:18 reveals the purpose of Paul's mission to the Gentiles — opening eyes and turning from darkness to light — which underlies his obligation in Romans 1:14.

1 Corinthians 1:19-22 shows God opposing worldly wisdom — yet Paul remains debtor to the wise, preaching Christ crucified.

In 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Paul expands on his compulsion to preach and becoming all things to all, echoing his obligation to all groups in Romans 1:14.

Colossians 3:11 lists Greek/barbarian as divisions overcome in Christ, directly aligning with Paul's obligation to both groups in Romans 1:14.

Acts 20:21 Parallel

Acts 20:21 echoes Paul's debt to both Jews and Greeks, as he testifies to repentance toward God and faith in Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:19 expresses Paul's self-imposed obligation to all people, mirroring his sense of debt in Romans 1:14.

Galatians 1:16 explains the origin of Paul's debt: God commissioned him to preach among the Gentiles, making him obligated to them.

Acts 16:32 Parallel

Acts 16:32 shows Paul fulfilling his debt by preaching to the Philippian jailer, a Gentile.