03 Not Ashamed of the Gospel

In this portion of Romans 1, Paul made an emphatic statement, declaring that he was unashamed of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Not Ashamed of the Gospel

While many religious leaders may be unfortunately described as “self-promoters” – Paul was clear that the only thing he wanted to promote was the Gospel. And he would do so, unhesitatingly:

Romans 1:16

Several bible commentators look upon this verse as the overall theme of the epistle, since it was the impetus for not only much of what Paul wrote, but the manner in which he stated it.

Paul’s motivation was brought to light, when he addressed his desire to preach the Gospel at Rome:

Romans 1:15

Paul understood that he was a recipient of God’s grace, and that he was privileged to present the Word of God.

He also understood the power of the Gospel, and by adhering to the Gospel alone, it eliminates self-promotion and boasting:

1 Corinthians 9:16

The word “Gospel” literally means “good news” and was used by Paul five times in Romans 1, showing the great importance it has for all people:

Romans 1:16

Paul gave two reasons why he wasn’t ashamed of presenting the Gospel:

• The first reason is because it is the manifestation of God’s power.

Opposed to great works of literature, only the Bible is alive, and therefore able to transform an individual spiritually:

Hebrew 4:12

Because the Bible is alive and transformative, it is powerful. The Greek word <dunamis> speaks to the Bible being dynamic (powerful).

• The second reason that Paul was unashamed, is because the Gospel is for everyone.

While in God’s priority it was to be presented to the Jewish nation first, it wasn’t to end with them, but then was to be taken to the Greeks (meaning the Gentile world).

Therefore, as Paul was writing to the Roman church, these were primarily (if not entirely Gentiles.

It had to be greatly encouraging to that church, to see the desire Paul had to preach the “good news” to them.

Man must always remember, that we cannot improve upon God’s Word. While it certainly must be translated into many languages, to fulfill the Great Commission to preach the Word to the ends of the earth, However, we should never tamper with the Bible in any manner, that would cause the loss of the original intent.

2 The Just Shall Live by Faith

Because no one is justified through their own actions, but only through the finished work of Jesus at Calvary, Paul then took the opportunity to show the connection of the Gospel and God’s righteousness.

God’s righteousness is transmitted to all who are in Christ, as He then accounts them as righteousness:

Romans 1:17

Only God us inherently righteous since He alone is perfectly holy.

While the Bible shows the Lord’s complete righteousness, it presents our inherent sinfulness (unrighteousness).

In Romans chapter 3, Paul presents man’ unrighteousness dilemma, but then wonderfully shows the answer which is revealed only through Christ:

Romans 3:20-23

So, while The Law pointed to man’s sinfulness, it also showed that there would be a coming answer to the problem.

In Romans 3:21, Paul used the word “now” to show that it was under the New Covenant, that God’s righteousness “apart from the Law” had been revealed.

In Romans 3:22, Paul addressed the answer to man’s “unrighteousness” problem:

Romans 3:22

But man must “believe” and “accept” the Gospel has being personally for them. In others words, one must personally come to faith in Christ, and as Paul would later write, that faith is an acceptance of the declared Word:

Romans 10:17

While the faith to believe the Gospel is certainly essential, God provides the believer with more faith throughout their life, in essence we move “from faith to faith”.

Paul highlighted that, by referencing the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk, who addressed Israel during a time of both spiritual and social darkness for the nation. While things looked anything but promising, Habakkuk reminded them that the “just” (righteous) “live by faith”.

Therefore, the text in Romans, emphasizes how faith is a vital component to a believer’s life.