I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Paul wrote this from a position of cultural weakness. The gospel was offensive then too — and Paul stood on it anyway.
The episode in a glance.
- 01The gospel was considered foolish by Greeks and offensive by Jews — Paul knew.
- 02'Not ashamed' is a chosen posture, not an automatic feeling.
- 03He calls it 'the power of God for salvation' — the only thing he's leaning on.
- 04It's 'for the Jew first, and also for the Greek' — for everyone, in order.
Read along.
Romans starts personal. '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.'
Paul didn't have a cultural tailwind. To Greeks, a crucified savior sounded ridiculous. To Jews, it sounded like blasphemy. Wherever he preached, he got either laughed at or attacked.
So when he says 'I am not ashamed,' he's not bragging. He's pushing back against the pull every preacher feels — to soften, to apologize, to make it palatable.
And he gives his reason: 'It is the power of God for salvation.' Not Paul's eloquence. Not Paul's strategy. The message itself does the work — when it's allowed to be itself.
If you've ever felt embarrassed about what you believe, Romans 1:16 is your verse. Paul knew the cost. He stood on it anyway.