Romans 1:13-15

Romans 1:13-15

13(A)I do not want you to be unaware, (B)brethren, that often I (C)have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some (D)fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

14(E)I am [a]under obligation both to Greeks and to (F)barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

15So, for my part, I am eager to (G)preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.


Paul continues his thought from verses 9-12. He tells the Roman believers that he has tried on numerous occasions to come to them but has been prevented.

First, he calls them Brethren - The Greek word used here is literally brother. Paul wants these believers to realize and understand that they are family; that although he has never met them, they are brothers and family. They are part of the family of God and precious to God, therefore precious to him. I remember my father and men of my church growing up referring to one another as brother. It is a fond memory that I have of growing up in a small community church. I wonder now, have we lost some of what it means to be a FAMILY in Christ? I try to think, when was the last time that I ever heard another Christian call another Christian, brother? Not only that, but in family there is a certain loyalty and and devotion to one another even when mistakes are made. Where is that loyalty in our churches today? Where is that devotion? Where is that love? If one of our children made a serious mistake, would we be so quick to walk out on them and find another family (local church)? Would we be so quick to write them off and no longer associate with them? I think not.

We learn of and see Paul's plans to go to Rome in Acts 19:21 and Romans 15:22ff. He was very intent on going to Rome but each time he made plans, he was prevented from arriving there. His desire for going there was the same as stated in verse five; to bring about the obedience of faith. Here is verse 13 he refers to the obedience of faith as fruit. His desire was to see their faith result in obedience, good works, and be evidenced by their lives and deeds.

In verse fourteen, he makes it clear that his mission was both to Greeks (those of non-Jewish origin; used virtually as a synonym for Gentile) and to barbarians (foreigners).

He is also under obligation (Greek word Opheiletes - to owe, A debtor, one who is indebted to another. One who is obligated to do something. An offender, a trespasser, one who is a debtor or obliged either to reparation or punishment.) to the wise (Greek word - Sophos - derived probably from the Hebrew word sophim, signifying watchman. In the OT, these watchmen used to ascend to the mountains so that they might see all around (Numbers 23:14), but in the absence of mountains, the Greeks just observed the course and motions of the heavens and called themselves Sophoi. Therefore, in its basic meaning, sophos is the one who knows how to regulate his course in view of movements of the heavens or of God. Means wise, skilled, expert, used of workman to show their expertise, prudent, sensible.) and the foolish (Greek word - Anoetos - lacking in intelligence but demonstrating moral fault; one who does not govern his lusts, one without mind, the highest knowing power in man, the organ by which divine things are comprehended and known, being the ultimate seat of error).

Paul was under obligation, as a debtor, to God to preach the gospel and spread the good news of Christ. As a result for what God did in his life, he was under obligation to carry the message of what God did in his life to others. Are we not the same? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Paul was sent not just to the foolish but to the wise and learned man. In other words, all the knowledge and expertise in the world does not exempt one from needing God.

Paul understood his task. He understood what God had done on his behalf and as a bond-servant (slave) to God whose will was consumed by God's, he knew he was under obligation to carry the message of the gospel to all peoples. For this reason, according to verse 15, he was pleased and eager to share this gospel with the people at Rome.

Oh that we would be so eager, sensing our own obligation as bond-servants of Christ, to carry that same gospel message to those around us.