Obligation and Eagerness
Paul's ministry drive in Romans 1:14-15
What drives a person to dedicate their life to proclaiming a message? For Paul, it wasn’t fame, fortune, or personal ambition—it was something stronger. Paul was compelled by a profound sense of obligation and an unshakable eagerness to share the gospel, a message he described as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
In Romans 1:14–15, Paul writes: “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”
These words reveal the marrow of his mission. Paul’s work wasn’t a burden; it was a privilege. Gratitude for grace drove him, and the weight of eternity gave him urgency. What does his example teach us about the ministry of the Word—and how should we respond?
Paul’s Obligation
Paul’s work wasn’t fueled by ambition. It wasn’t glory or acclaim he sought. It was gratitude. Grace had reached him, unworthy as he was, and he couldn’t keep it to himself.
The word Paul uses for “obligation” speaks of debt. He owed the gospel—not to God, but to others. John Stott put it plainly: “Paul has been entrusted with the gospel for the benefit of others. Until he shares it, he is in their debt.”
This debt knew no boundaries. It wasn’t limited by culture or status. Greeks or barbarians, wise or foolish—it didn’t matter. The gospel was for everyone.
And for Paul, this wasn’t drudgery. Gratitude turned duty into joy. The message he carried wasn’t empty. It was alive, the very power of God to save. His life showed that when grace grips a man, it sends him out to see others gripped by it too.
Paul’s Eagerness
Paul wasn’t eager to preach for applause. It wasn’t the crowds that called him or the sound of his own voice. It was the gospel.
What’s striking is this: Paul wrote these words to believers. He wanted to preach the gospel to those who already knew it. Why? Because the gospel isn’t just for salvation—it’s for life. The same message that saves also sanctifies.
Paul knew the stakes. Preaching wasn’t optional for him. “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” he wrote (1 Corinthians 9:16). His mission was clear: to see God glorified and lives transformed.
A Challenge for Us
Romans 1:14–15 calls us to appreciate the weight and urgency of gospel ministry. Week after week, pastors labor to proclaim the unchanging good news to a world in desperate need of it. Their task is immense: to bring the Word of God to bear on their congregations in ways that convict, comfort, and transform.
How can we support this work?
First, by praying fervently for those who preach. Ask God to give them clarity, courage, and compassion as they proclaim the gospel.
Second, by coming to the preached Word with humble and prepared hearts, ready to be changed by its truths.
Finally, by understanding the urgency of the gospel. If Paul was driven by obligation and eagerness, how much more should we respond with gratitude for the Word that reaches us each week?