Not Ashamed of the Gospel

by Whitney V. Myers

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Paul Mosaic at Chora Church Istanbul - 123RF Photo - Used under license

"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 1:16)

This lesson provides a word study of the keywords in Romans 1:16 where the Apostle Paul says "I am not ashamed of the gospel."  

     Consider.  Do you know what Paul means when he says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel"?

     I am Not Ashamed.  As believers in Christ, we should not be ashamed to be identified with Christ, and we should not be ashamed to present the good news of salvation in Christ to others.  The Apostle Paul recognized the world's opposition to Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Ref. 1, Ref. 2, Ref. 3).  Yet Paul did not shrink away from preaching Christ; instead, he glorified in it.  In Romans 1:15, Paul writes, "So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome" (italics added).

In Romans 1:16 the Greek word for the verb to be ashamed of means disgraced, like someone being "singled out" because they misplaced their confidence or support" (Ref. 4).  The world thought Paul should be ashamed.  To the Jews "the thought of a crucified Messiah" was "a revolting folly" (Ref. 5).  To the Greeks the worship of a crucified wrongdoer was a detestable superstition (Ref. 5).  Paul kept his confidence in Christ.  He in no way felt disgraced because he represented Christ.  Paul continued to preach the gospel despite the world's opposition. 

Paul encouraged his protégé, Timothy, "Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God" (2 Timothy 1:8). 

     Of the Gospel.  The Greek word for gospel in Romans 1:16 is euaggelion (pronounced as yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on).  Euaggelion means God's good news (Ref. 6).  The good news about Jesus Christ is the gospel.  Specifically, Jesus Christ through his death on the cross has procured eternal salvation for all who put their faith in him.  By God's grace, we receive forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life when we put our faith in Christ (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8).  That is the message.
  

     For it is the power of God.  The Greek word for power in Romans 1:16 is dunamis (pronounced as doo'-nam-is).  Dunamis means (miraculous) power, might, and strength (Ref. 7).

"The gospel is the inherent, omnipotent power of God operating in the salvation of a lost soul who accepts it" (Ref. 8 below).  Cross references: 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Peter 3:1-5.

     For salvation.  The Greek word for salvation is sótéria.  HELPS Word-studies defines salvation (sótéria) as "God's rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety" (Ref. 9).  

Salvation is entirely God's doing, not something that we achieve by works or by "trying to live a good life" without Christ.  Paul writes, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Cross references: Luke 19:9, Acts 4:12.   

     To everyone who believes.  The Greek word for believe is pisteuó which means believe, have faith in, trust in, and have confidence in (Ref. 10).

The phrase "to everyone who believes" describes the condition, or terms, on which God confers salvation (Ref. 11).  God confers salvation on sinners who by faith put their trust in and rely upon God's Son, Jesus Christ.  Salvation is the present possession of all true Christians who believe in and put their confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Cross references: Mark 16:15-16, John 3:16, Acts 16:30-31, 2 Timothy 1:12.

     To the Jew First and Also to the Greek.  God confers salvation on all people who put their faith and trust in Christ.  Paul initially preached the good news to Jewish hearers (Acts 13:14-16).  Paul later turned to the Gentiles after his Jewish listeners repudiated the message (Acts 13:46, Acts 28:28). 

The world thought then (and still thinks now) that Paul's message about Christ was (is) foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18, Ref. 1).  Yet, Paul was neither disgraced nor ashamed of the gospel.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.  Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross, has procured forgiveness of sins and provides eternal life to all who put their faith and trust in him. 

     Apply.  Think about and write down the definition of the gospel in your own words.  Pray that God will provide you opportunities to present the gospel to others.  God will help you to be unashamed of the good news of Jesus Christ and the salvation and eternal life he provides to those who believe in him.

References
1.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-word-of-the-cross-foolishness-or-power
2.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/biblical-definition-of-the-world
3.  http://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-world-hates-jesus-and-his-disciples
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1870.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/1.htm (Pulpit Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:18)
6.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2098.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1411.htm
8.  Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, Kenneth S. Wuest, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973
9.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4991.htm
10.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4100.htm
11.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/romans/1.htm
(Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes [1834] - Romans 1:16)