Why the Gospel is the Power of God for Salvation
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans 1:16
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he came to them ‘in weakness and fear, and with much trembling’ (1 Corinthians 2:3). He knew the message of the cross was ‘foolishness’ to some (1 Corinthians 1:18,23) and a ‘stumbling-block’ to others (1 Corinthians 1:23) because it denied self-righteousness and confronted self-centredness. Whenever the gospel is faithfully preached it stirs up opposition, often contempt and sometimes ridicule. Paul knew the temptation to pull back, which makes his ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel’ (1:16) even more emphatic.
He knew the gospel was ‘the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes’ (1:16) Only by believing the gospel can we be reconciled to God, have every sin forgiven, be made His children, have His Spirit indwell us, begin the journey into transformation and be implanted into God’s community, the church. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of the gospel to us, and as we respond in faith, imparts into us the life of the age to come (the literal meaning of ‘eternal life’), transfers us into the Christ’s kingdom and protects us until the fullness of our salvation is revealed with Christ’s return. Salvation can be viewed as past (Titus 3:5), present (Philippians 2:12,13) and future (Romans 13:11).
This gospel is ‘first for the Jew, then for the Gentile’ (1:16). It is both universal (‘to all who believe’) and particular (‘to the Jew first’). A fuller resolution of this seeming paradox will come in chapters 9 to 11. Paul accords some kind of priority to the Jews (‘first to the Jew’). He will go on to explain in Romans the special applicability of God’s promise to the Jews (3:2,9-11). God worked through the Jews to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. The gospel was first preached to the Jews in Acts. Without in any way subtracting from the equal access all people now have to the gospel, Paul insists that the gospel, ‘promised beforehand … in the Holy Scriptures’ (1:2) has a special relevance to the Jews.
They were the first addressees to whom the gospel came but once received, both Jews and non-Jews equally receive its rich benefits. As explained in chapter 11, Gentiles are like ‘a wild olive shoot’ (11:17) grafted into the natural olive tree of believing Jews. Not all Jews are part of the olive tree; only believing Jews are (chapters 9-11). Believing Gentiles have been grafted in and unbelieving Jews removed (11:17,19).
Because of this, believing Gentiles need to exercise great humility in their standing (11:20,21). Do you catch Paul’s concern when he addresses Gentile Christians and their attitude to unbelieving Jews? ‘Granted they were broken off because of their unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant but afraid’ (11:19,20).
Enjoy the fruits of salvation. We ‘now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root’ (11:17) but keep a soft heart for the Jews.