Current studies continue in Romans 1. As this blogger is a "peculiar" (I Pet 2.9) individual, so an unusual topic caught my attention.
Paul stated to the Romans that he was "debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." Let's look at the definitions for "Greek and Barbarian."
In Webster's 1828 dictionary we read, "Greek - as pertaining to Greece or the Greek language." Many philosophers, Socrates, Aristotle or Plato are still known for their vast wisdom and knowledge. One of history's most famous warriors, Alexander the Great, was thought to be Greek. So, Paul acknowledged much of his intelligence to the Greeks, of which he was a Roman citizen. But the Apostle did not stop there. He also recognized indebtedness to the "uncivilized, lawless, unmannered Barbarians." Webster's definition of these peoples are, "uncivilized person, one destitute of pity or humanity, unacquainted with laws or manners, foreign, wild, fierce."
How is it that such a learned man as Paul could learn from "uncivilized people?"
This writer believes it is because of the words in verse 16 and 17 of this chapter. "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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'" Quite simply, as the Lord lead Paul to preach the gospel, wherever he was or was led to go, he believed the Lord could touch the heart of Jew or Gentile, which included the Barbarians AND the Greeks. The song writer said "I am so glad He included me." Never despair of your earthly origin. Only seek the spiritual origin. Are you "in Him?"
To digress, the lesson is keeping a teachable spirit and this writer believes one can learn from any one or any circumstance. In other words, if you are in Him you can keep a "teachable spirit." Below, read all the verses noted to this lesson. God bless and keep you is my prayer.
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (I Pet 5.5)
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured." (Pro 13.18)
Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost reacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I Cor 2.13, 14)
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. (Pro 12.1)
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (Pro 9.9)
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. (Pro 4.5)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Tim 3.16)
And the things that thou hast heard of me among man witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Tim 2.2)
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. An if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (I Jn 2.1-29)
And he said, How can I except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (Acts 8.31)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10.17)
For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. (Heb 12.6)
Train up a child in the way he SHOULD go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Pro 22.6)
Psa 1.1-6, Jms 1.1-27, Hos 4.6, I Thes 5.14, Acts 17.11
