July 31, 2020
His Power. Our Confidence.
Romans 1:1–17
Heath Heidtke
Central Truth
Let's acknowledge the power of the gospel and proclaim it in every area of our life.
Key Verse | Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:1–17
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant 1 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David 2 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Longing to Go to Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 3 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, 4 1:14 That is, non-Greeks both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, 5 1:17 Or beginning and ending in faith as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 6 1:17 Or The one who by faith is righteous shall live
Footnotes
[1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface[2] 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David
[3] 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
[4] 1:14 That is, non-Greeks
[5] 1:17 Or beginning and ending in faith
[6] 1:17 Or The one who by faith is righteous shall live
Dive Deeper | Romans 1:1–17
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel . . ." (Romans 1:16a). In a worldly city like Rome, it wouldn't be hard for Roman Christians to be embarrassed by the gospel. Rome thought of itself as a sophisticated city, full of progressive intellectuals who saw themselves as the moral, cultural, and ethical leaders of society. Insert a gospel that bucked strongly against the self-seeking norms that surrounded all aspects of culture, and you've got life for the Roman Christian in A.D. 57. But, is this not also the life for the American Christian in 2020?
Think about it, a culture that considers itself the most powerful entity in the world. A culture that, as it drives harder and harder for truth, drifts further and further from it. A culture that is increasingly difficult for a fully devoted follower of Christ to reconcile with. That was Rome then, but this is America now. Maybe Paul's message of being unashamed is more pertinent than ever. But, how can Paul say that in the face of the Roman Empire?
"[F]or it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . ." (Romans 1:16b). This is how Paul—how we—can stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) because the good news of Jesus Christ has inherent power. We don't give it power. It's the power of Christ that rests on us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)!
The good news of Christ is so much more than news. New Testament scholar Leon Morris put it this way: "The gospel is not advice to people, suggesting that they lift themselves. It is power. It lifts them up. Paul does not say that the gospel brings power but that it is power, and God's power at that. When the gospel is preached, this is not simply so many words being uttered. The power of God is at work."
We aren't armed with an interesting theology or philosophy. We're armed with life-changing good news. So let's run with confidence (Hebrews 12:1-3), share our hope (1 Peter 3:15), and live unashamed.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you embarrassed by an aspect of your faith? What area of your faith are you hesitant to put your full confidence in?
2. As Christians, we have access to life-changing power. Sometimes we don't act like we do. Why?
3. The good news of Jesus Christ WILL be spread (Luke 19:40). Is it going to be spread in spite of you or because of you?