Romans 1:8-17 (WEB)
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."
🔑 Key Points
1. The gospel is Paul's obsession
Paul calls himself a 'debtor' to Greeks and barbarians, wise and foolish alike — the gospel is an obligation that cannot be withheld, which is why he longs to reach Rome.
2. Not ashamed
Sproul notes this was a bold claim in a Roman world that would have considered Christianity shameful. The gospel is worth the cost, because it is 'the power of God for salvation.'
3. The power of the gospel
Salvation is God's work, not human achievement — the gospel carries its own power to save everyone who believes.
4. From faith to faith
God's righteousness is revealed and received entirely by faith — a gift, not a wage. This is the thesis of the whole letter: justification by faith alone.
5. The righteous shall live by faith
This verse (from Habakkuk 2) was Luther's breakthrough and the heart of the Reformation: we are made right with God by trusting in Christ's perfect righteousness, not our own.
💬 Discussion Questions
What would 'not being ashamed' of the gospel look like in your daily life this week — at work, with friends, in your words?
How does the idea that the gospel is God's power for salvation change the way you pray or evangelize?
Where in your life are you tempted to earn what God gives by faith?
Keep trusting the gospel today — it is powerful enough, and it saves everyone who believes.
