Romans 1:14-16 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.… If A gives me property to be employed for the use of B, my debt is to B. God has given the gospel to Christendom to impart to mankind, and Christendom owes it as a debt. This is a debt — I. WHOSE MAGNITUDE IS IMMENSE. 1. It is the gospel. Who can estimate this treasure? It is the pearl of great price, God's unspeakable gift. 2. It is the consecration of life to the diffusion of the gospel. We owe not merely the gospel, but all our powers and circumstances in order to its diffusion. Not merely the preaching of it, but the living it, and that forever. What a debt is this! We are not our own. II. WHOSE JUSTICE IS INDISPUTABLE. Think of — 1. The terms of its bestowment. It was given in trust; not to monopolise, but to diffuse, "Go ye fate all the world," etc. 2. The universality of its provisions. They are not for a class, but, like the elements of nature, for universal man — the bread and water of life to all. 3. The conscience of its possessors. All its genuine disciples feel that they ought to communicate it. "Necessity is laid upon me." 4. The condition of its claimants, Those to whom we owe it are perishing for the lack of it. III. WHOSE DISCHARGE IS URGENT. It is urgent as far as — 1. The creditor is concerned — the whole heathen world, sunk in ignorance, superstition, and misery. The recovery of these fallen millions depends on our paying the debt. 2. The debtor. He who neglects to discharge it is injuring his own nature, character, prospects, and usefulness.Conclusion: Let us all rise to discharge this debt. 1. It has long arrears. 2. Is ever accumulating. 3. May be on our hands at death. (D. Thomas, D. D.) 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. |
    |