Romans 1:14

Romans 1:14 says, I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  Paul did not consider that others owed him anything, but instead that he was a debtor to all. These people may not have liked each other, but Paul said he was indebted to them both.  His debt was because of the sacrifice of Christ, and the payment was to preach the gospel.  This does not mean Paul or anyone could buy salvation, but that he lived his live out of gratitude to God.  The Greeks considered themselves superior to all others in wisdom, but whether the people considered themselves to be wise or unwise, both needed to hear the gospel.  Paul did not speak to both groups the same way, but spoke to them so they could best understand the gospel.  We should do the same.  If we reach out to people with the gospel in terms they can understand, not from an air of superiority, but as one who has a debt to proclaim the gospel, we will be much more effective.  Verse fifteen adds, So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  Many people might have been afraid to go to Rome where the people considered themselves so wise to share with them the simple good news of the gospel, but Paul was ready.  He said that so much as was in him, he was ready.  We can never share more than is in us.  As followers of Christ, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit when we witness, then no matter where we are or the circumstances we find ourselves in, we will be able to share the gospel.  We must be ready to give all that we have to do so.  Verse sixteen continues, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, because he knew by experience that it was the only way to salvation.  Some people today want to deny the necessity of being by born again for salvation, but the truth of God teaches us otherwise.  Paul said salvation was available to all, and we must acknowledge the same thing. Verse seventeen concludes, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.   Through the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed by faith.  We simply believe it, then live it by faith.  God even gives us the faith to believe, but as always, the choice is then ours whether to believe or not.