Romans 1:13-15 - Obligated to Gentiles

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

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I Really Want to Come to Rome!

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

“often I have planned to come to you ” - The churches in Rome most likely know that Paul has travelled throughout Macedonia and Greece. Paul is answering a probable question, “Why doesn’t he come here?” He hasn’t forgotten about them. He isn’t ignoring them. He has been prevented from coming to Rome.

“ that I may obtain some fruit among you also ” - I think there are a couple of meanings in this phrase. One: Paul wants to come to Rome to share the gospel that more Gentiles will be saved. Two: Paul wants to see the believers be filled and controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Both are reasonable understandings. Jesus told us to be ready to lead people to salvation, because the fruit of the harvest is ready! (See: Luk. 10:2; John 4:35) Thinking of the alternate meaning: Jesus indicated that living for Him will bear much fruit. (John 15:5, 8, 16) In the Galatian letter Paul contrasts fruit of the Spirit with the deeds of the flesh. There are other references to righteousness of the believers as being the fruit of faith. (See: Eph. 5:9; Heb. 12:11; Jam. 3:18)

Vs. 14 - I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

“ under obligation ” - Why would Paul feel he is in debt to the Gentiles? Why call himself a debtor? What does he owe them? What have they done for Paul that he would be ‘in debt’ to them?
Think of the men and women who have served in the United States military from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, through both World Wars and those since, there is a significant debt owed to them for the sacrifice they have paid to keep us free. Because of that price paid, we are obligated to live up to the ideals and principles of the the Declaration of Independence and U. S. Constitution.

Paul sees the price Christ paid to make us free from sin. Paul was tapped by Jesus to take the Gospel to Gentiles. If he doesn’t share the message of saving grace in Jesus Christ he is not living up to his calling. Paul’s obligation is to Christ to speak the message. It doesn't matter if the listeners are sophisticated Greeks, or uneducated people from remote areas. It doesn’t matter if they are wise in the ways of the world, or naive and foolish. There is no way for them to come to Jesus if they have not heard. There is no way for them to hear if a preacher doesn’t tell them. (Rom. 10:14)

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

“ I am eager to preach the gospel to you ” - Preaching the Gospel makes payment on the obligation. The debt can never be marked “paid in full” by Paul. Christ alone can pay - and has paid.

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