“13 Now I don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Paul is excited about the prospect of bringing his teaching to the church in Rome, and he wants them to know that he has been trying diligently to do so. He has revealed it many times already in the first few verses of chapter 1, and continues to say so throughout the letter. Luke also records Paul saying the same thing in the Book of Acts:
“After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “It is necessary for me to see Rome as well.”” — Acts 19:21
Paul speaks of his visiting the church in Rome as “necessary”. It was a high priority for him! Paul expects that upon visiting them, he will have an opportunity for a “fruitful” ministry among them. What does he mean by “fruitful”? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul commends the believers there as they are living out the natural outworking of Christians saved by the gospel. Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, it brings with it the bearing of fruit, that is obedience and worship to God, in those who are God’s elect.
“You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace.” — Colossians 1:5b-6
This fruitful ministry, made possible by the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, is exactly the kind of ministry Paul wants to bring to the church in Rome.
In verse 14, Paul makes a distinction between two groups of people. On the one hand, there are the Greeks and those who are wise; on the other hand, there are barbarians and those who are foolish. Paul admits that he is equally obligated to both groups of people in his preaching of the gospel. As such, he is obligated, even eager, to preach the gospel to the church in Rome. This section requires a bit more research to understand how Paul is using the term “barbarians”.
One example of similar word usage is by Luke in the Book of Acts as he records his travels with Paul when they become shipwrecked on an island named Malta. Notice the translation of the words Luke uses to describe those who were living on this island.
“Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The local people (translated “native people” ESV, “barbarous people” KJV) showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold.” — Acts 28:1-2 CSB (bold and notes added)
This passage provides a different meaning from how we might normally interpret the word “barbarian”. Luke does not describe the local people of the island as being uneducated or savage. Quite contrarily, he highlights their hospitality and kindness. So then, Luke is using this word to describe a group of people who are part of a culture that is foreign or unknown to him, not necessarily calling them a people to be looked down upon or calling them inferior.
Now, how does this apply to the text in Romans? The first group Paul mentions is the Greeks. Paul had personal experience witnessing to the people of Greece. Greek culture had permeated the thinking of a large portion of the world in which Paul was living. Therefore, any other people group who were unlike, or at least unfamiliar with Greek culture, would have been seen as foreigners, members of a different culture, barbarians. Was this way of thinking in the church? It is possible, which is why Paul makes sure to state that he is equally obligated to all people, whether part of the culture at large, or not. Whether Greek or otherwise, whether wise or foolish, Paul is obligated to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all equally, as are we!