Three times in Romans 1:14-16, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “I am,” and each one carries an important message for every true believer in Christ.

Romans 1:14-16 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

First, Paul says “I am debtor” — debtor to all men, to tell them about the saving work of Christ. But why was he indebted to people he had never even seen?

Here is the answer.

Paul had in his hand what all men need to be saved from the penalty and power of sin. So Paul was a debtor to all men every bit as much as I would be if I saw a drunkard lying across the railroad track and I do nothing about it. Would I not a murderer if he is killed by the train? What if I saw a man drowning and I have a life buoy in my hand but do not throw it to him, am I not a murderer if he goes down for the last time?

Paul knew his calling to all the lost and dying men of the world. He knew he had received the words of God’s grace and eternal life, which he had received from the Lord Jesus. It was his burden of the Lord to make all men see “the fellowship of the mystery” (Eph. 3:9) whereby Christ saves and comes to live in any and all persons who will receive Him.

Further, Paul felt himself a debtor to others, because the Christ who had died for his sins had also died for the sins of others. He knew He did not live solely unto himself.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again.”

And finally, the Christ who had died for Paul’s sins, had commissioned him to tell others of His saving grace. Thus Paul says in I Corinthians 9:16-17:

“Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel! For…a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me” (ICor.9:16-17).