Do You Think of Yourself as a Debtor to All People?

Thinking about Romans 1:13-15.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. (Romans 1:13-15)

Paul told the Christians in Rome that he had planned to see them for some time, but he had been hindered from coming to them. He wanted to have some fruit among them as among other Gentiles - which is a likely reference to converting people to Christ.

Paul saw himself as a debtor both to Greeks (the civilized, educated people) and barbarians (the less educated people in society), the wise, and the unwise. Regardless of culture, race, or education - Paul saw himself as in debt to everyone.

The debt Paul had toward all people motivated him to want to preach the gospel to everyone - including those in Rome.

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We learn a lot about Paul’s commitment to Christ and the gospel by the fact that he is a debtor to all people. Do we have the same level of commitment? Do you feel like you owe the gospel message to the people of your community and this world?

I fear we dabble a lot; I fear we play at being Christ’s as though it were a “pursuit” or a mere “vocation.” Elijah wished to know how long his people would limp between two opinions - if God were really God then why the hesitation? (1 Kings 18:21). Paul first regarded himself as committed to full surrender to his task and then he called others to the same commitment. - McGuiggan, Romans, 64

When Christians think of themselves as debtors to the people of this world, then they will have all the motivation needed to take the gospel to all the world (Mark 16:15-16).

If you are a Christian, you have been saved by the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17). How thankful we ought to be for what God has done for us!

Now - think of all the people you know who are still lost without Jesus Christ. We owe them the opportunity to hear the gospel the same as we have. We are a debtor to them.

One of the reasons I started writing these articles is because I am a debtor to you. Jesus Christ has saved me, and because of his grace and mercy toward me, I am a debtor to all people.

I hope you will see yourself in the same way.