A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 6 Chapter 1:16 – 18

1. Verse 16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
1. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” Some say the words “of Christ” is not part of the original manuscript, but I must ask; what does it matter? Isn’t the gospel about Christ?

a. The Gospel is the most powerful message in the world, it can through the power of the Holy Spirit turn mans heart that could not other wise ever be turned.

b. The Gospel is the first and foremost message that every minister and pastor is required to preach. 1 Corinthians 9:16 “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” – no one has ever been saved without hearing the Gospel.

c. Paul said “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” neither was John and Peter in Acts 4 and 5, they risked their life to preach it.

d. Why would Paul be ashamed to preach it? Because it is the most unpopular message of all times even today. Why was and is it so unpopular? 1 Corinthians 1:23 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”

2. “…for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”

a. The word “it” refers to the gospel itself, the gospel has power and that power is to save sinners.

b. The word “power” here comes from the Greek word dynamis (which is pronounced doo'-nam-is) and means force, specifically miraculous power. This is neither the power of man nor even the power of Paul, but rather the power that only God has. In fact Paul states this very thing “power of God” The gospel is the power of God that God uses to save a sinner. In other words the gospel has God’s power because it is “THE” message of God.

c. We may also note this is the same Greek word we get our English word “dynamite” which shows the explosive power it has.

d. The Gospels power is shown in that it is the only message of salvation.

3. “…to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” No matter who or what you are, John3:16 tells us that God loved all nationalities (not all people but nationalities) of the world, and the words “Jew and Greek” covers all nationalities of the world.
1. Verse 17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
1. “For therein is the righteousness of God…” – That is the righteousness can only be seen in Christ Jesus through the gospel. No one can see God’s righteousness except they have been delivered through the gospel message.

a. There is no other way to see the righteousness of God, not through mans works or devices only through the gospel.

b. Barnes' Notes on the New Testament; “The phrase, righteousness of God, is equivalent to God's plan of justifying men; his scheme of declaring them just in the sight of the law, or of acquitting them from punishment, and admitting them to favour. In this sense it stands opposed to man's plan of justification, i. e. by his own works.”

2. “…God revealed from faith to faith…”

a. That is faith from God to man, man has not enough faith to be saved, God must give us His faith in order for us to believe. Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

b. Notice Paul is quoting Habakkuk here, “as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” There is no other way to be righteous or to be made alive.

c. Those that trust other means will die and go to hell for their troubles, salvation is only in Christ Jesus. Anything added to the gospel simply degrades the power of the gospel and the faith given to us from God.

3. Verse 18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
1. This verse is very important.

a. As we look at the rest of this book remember two simple scriptures Eph. 2:8 and Habakkuk 2:4.

b. This verse begins Paul warning to the lost, for most of the rest of this book Paul warns man of the meaning of salvation by grace through faith Eph. 2:8 also Paul goes to great lengths to explain “not of yourselves”. Remember through the rest of this book Habakkuk 2:4 “…the just shall live by his faith.”

c. Man cannot bring about his own salvation because it is the “gift of God” man on his own does not have enough faith to believe, man on his own has an evil heart toward God and will never on his own change it, because it is controlled by Satan.

2. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…”

a. God will reveal two things from heaven, 1. Grace, Mercy, Faith, and Love to those who are saved. And 2. His wrath to the lost.

b. Paul will go to great efforts the rest of the way through this book to show man in his original state, his hatred for God, his failed attempts to save himself, and God future wrath for mankind for their ungodliness and unrighteousness.

c. Ephesians 5:6 “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

3. “…who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

a. For one to “hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Would seem to mean one would understand the gospel to be the death, burial, and resurrection and would say it is salvation but still deny Christ alone saves sinners.

b. They would say that God saves sinners but believe salvation is up to man.

c. In other words they know truth but deny it in an unrighteous matter. Paul said Romans 1:22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” by attempting to out smart God.