By: Robert Serreyn

Question? In Romans 1:14 how is Paul a debtor?

Romans 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Answer:

The Apostle Paul FELT that he was INDEBTED not only to those that were already saved (Wise) but also to those who were unsaved (unwise).

– To the wise (saved) Paul prior to his salvation – (Read Acts Chp.9) persecuted christians and was INSTRUMENTAL for many of their deaths and HIS DESIRE was to prove himself to those that he previously hunted down that he was one of them and to now as a appointed apostle of the Lord to further their growth in the Word of God and was himself persecuted for his stance and defense for the Gospel and the Word of God.

Acts 9:1-2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, (2) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. (25) Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; (26) In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (27) In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (28) Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

– To The unwise (unsaved) Paul had a BURNING DESIRE to share the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and lead as many as he could to the Lord for salvation.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Romans 1:16 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.

IN CONCLUSION:

The Apostle Paul WAS INDEBTED to the saved to be their and OUR EXAMPLE.

To the unsaved Paul WAS INDEBTED to be the guiding light (and the same SHOULD BE true of us) that led them to the Lord.

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH