Romans 1:16 - Not ashamed

Verses 16 and 17 (and remember there were no chapter and verse numbers in the original) set the tone for the rest of the letter, they layout the central thesis. In this verse there is Paul’s commitment to the gospel, the effectiveness of the gospel, and the universality of the gospel (not universalism!). In Galatians and Ephesians one of the key themes is that in Christ Jews and Gentile believers alike are one. This truth is central to Romans as well.

Christians were looked down upon by society, the religion was a relatively new upstart and very much at odds with the world, yet Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. He was proud to be associated with Christ and the gospel. In the West we are in a time where the zeitgeist isn’t that different. Christians who believe the Bible are regarded with suspicion at best, sometimes with contempt and hatred. We should be proud of the gospel for the same reason that Paul was proud of the gospel, it is the power of God that brings salvation. People need saving. Some people know this, others don’t know it, but whether they know it or not, all need to be saved. And the gospel brings salvation to all who believe. Anyone can be saved.

“First to the Jew, then to the Greek”. The term Greek was often used as a synonym for Gentile, and the dominant language in Rome at the time was Greek. The gospel started in Jerusalem, bringing salvation to some Jews, then spread out to the rest of the world.

Remember also that the gospel is the power of God for salvation. There are times in our lives when we despair. We can despair at our circumstances, most of all we can despair of ourselves. The gospel is the power of God, it has the capacity to bring transformation, to change circumstances, to change us. And when God starts changing us, He starts changing the world around us through us.