Homilist Romans 1:14-16 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.… I. AN URGENT CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION. There is an obligation in man towards man which nothing can destroy. It is instituted and established. 1. By mutual expediency. The interest of one demands the good of all. One bad man in a community will destroy the peace of all. One diseased person may infect a whole nation. 2. By the fundamental laws of society. All men are made for each other. 3. By the law of benevolence. Even heathens have felt the force of this sentiment, and among the early Christians it became particularly prominent. 4. By the condition on which all good is imparted to us. "Freely ye have received, freely give." II. THE CHRISTIAN'S MANNER OF CARRYING THIS OBLIGATION OUT. There is — 1. Undaunted purpose. "I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." Rome had everything which was opposed to the nature and character of Christianity, and could endanger the apostle's life. How little do we imitate this example! Do we care for men's moral and social well-being to such an extent that we should be willing to sacrifice home, comfort, or even self, for their advantage? 2. A limitation of power. "So far as in me is."(1) This limitation has its use. It prevents us from despair when our talents are small or our opportunities few. Not all of us can go as ambassadors to Rome. But we can help so far as in us lies. If we cannot go, we can send those who can. (2) But this limitation is also made an abuse. Persons urge it as an excuse for their negligence, sloth, or parsimony. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.WEB: I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. |
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