Rom 1:16-17 | PNT | STEP | For I am not ashamed of the gospel . Hence he is ready to preach it in Rome, in the very citadel of heathen pride and power. If there was any place where one would be ashamed of a crucified Savior that place was Rome in the reign of Nero. The gospel . God's plan of salvation in Christ. Its three great facts are the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ ( ). For . He now states why he is not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation . The gospel is God's only appointed means of salvation. The name of Jesus Christ "is the only name . . . whereby we must be saved" ( ). All God's saving power is manifested through the gospel. To every one that believeth . The great fundamental facts of the gospel (see above) must be believed, in order to the enjoyment of the saving power. They are embraced in the proposition that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The gospel does not save unconditionally. Belief is a condition. To the Jew first, and also to the Greek . The first to enjoy this saving power were Jews. To them the gospel was first offered. But it is offered to the Greek also, on the same conditions.

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel. Hence he is ready to preach it in Rome, in the very citadel of heathen pride and power. If there was any place where one would be ashamed of a crucified Savior that place was Rome in the reign of Nero.

The gospel. God's plan of salvation in Christ. Its three great facts are the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ (1Co 15:1-4).

For. He now states why he is not ashamed of the gospel.

It is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is God's only appointed means of salvation. The name of Jesus Christ "is the only name . . . whereby we must be saved" (Ac 4:12). All God's saving power is manifested through the gospel.

To every one that believeth. The great fundamental facts of the gospel (see above) must be believed, in order to the enjoyment of the saving power. They are embraced in the proposition that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The gospel does not save unconditionally. Belief is a condition.

To the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The first to enjoy this saving power were Jews. To them the gospel was first offered. But it is offered to the Greek also, on the same conditions. For in this. In the gospel. It reveals the righteousness of God. This might mean (1) God's personal righteousness; (2) a righteousness acceptable to God; or, (3) a righteousness bestowed by God. The last is its sense in the Epistle to the Romans. The obedient believer in Christ is forgiven and clothed with Christ's righteousness. See Ro 3:21-25.

From faith to faith. This clause has caused much discussion. The generally received view is thus stated by Dr. Schaff: ``The righteousness is revealed from faith, or through means of faith, in order to produce faith in others.'' It is revealed to us by believing (faith), and the duty of the believer is to extend the gospel, or to extend the faith. Says Dr. Schaff, ``Believing includes knowledge and belief, assent and surrender, appropriation and application.''

As it is written. See Hab 2:4. The Old Testament had predicted this system of righteousness by faith, for the prophet had said, "The just shall live by faith". See also Heb 10:38,39.

The just. Those who have been forgiven and justified by the gospel.