Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ Romans 1:16

Paul the apostle told the church members in Rome he considered himself a, “debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise”, and he added, “I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also”. In chapter one and verse sixteen of Romans, Paul told with the church members, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” where we read:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The verse begins, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:” Paul began with the word, “for” or “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I am not ashamed” or “Paul did not feel shame” “of the gospel” which means “of the good news and glad tidings” “of Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul felt no “shame” for the “good news” of the “anointed Messiah of God”.

The verse continues, “... for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Paul added the words, “for it is the power” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore the gospel is the strength and ability” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “unto salvation” which means “toward deliverance, preservation and safety” “to every one” or “to each, any, the whole and everyone” “that believes” which means “who thinks to be true, is persuaded of, credited and placed confidence in”; “to the Jew first” or “to those who belong to the Jewish nation chiefly and principally”, “and also” or “and even and indeed” “to the Greek” which refers to “to those who are Greek either by nationality whether a native of the main land or of Greek islands or colonies, and also embraces all nations not Jews that made the language, customs and learning of the Greeks their own”. Paul was not “ashamed” of “the gospel of Christ” because it demonstrates “God's power” to save people, both Jew and Gentile, who believe and trust in Him.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he was not “ashamed” of God's “good news” because he knew the “gospel” had the “power” to save “believers” in Jesus from their sins. Regardless of whether the person is a “Jew or Gentile”, God is able to save those who “believe” in Jesus Christ. This was and is God's redemption plan for man. God's “good news” is that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners from their sins, and everyone who believes in Jesus as “Savior and Lord” shall be saved. For this message Paul was not “ashamed”, and neither should anyone else who “believes” and “shares” it with others.

Next time Paul shares with the church members about, “the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.