Re:Verse passage – Romans 1:14–17 (day five)
“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” Verse 14 uses an interesting word to describe Paul’s relationship to the people in the Roman church and to all Roman citizens—“obligated.” It literally means a debtor, or someone who owes a financial debt to another person. How can he be in debt or obligated to these people he has never met (the people in the church much less the people who live in Rome)? Think about two hypothetical circumstances in which I might be in debt to you. First, you lend me money. I am in debt to you until I pay you back. Second, someone gives me money to give to you. I am in debt to you until I give it to you. This second example is the context to which Paul is referring. He has been given the gospel to give/share with all others. He now lives indebted to everyone/everywhere to give them the gospel. Fact is, we as believers have been given the same gift and same instruction to share it with everyone/everywhere. Most of us (me too) don’t often if ever, have this perspective. We don’t live with that burden and passion to give away and share the gospel as we’ve been commanded. Instead of living as if obligated, the temptation is to live as entitled. How might this perspective shape the way we see, talk to, and serve all of those around us?
The Savior hath given us freely,
Salvation and grace through His name,
He bids us to publish His gospel,
Its words to all creatures proclaim;
We’re debtors to those who are dying,
And never its power have known;
Can we who so richly are favored
Still leave them to perish alone?
They perish, they perish,
Yet Jesus to save them has died;
Go pay them the debt that we owe them,
Those souls who in darkness abide.
Clara M. Brooks