In part one I wrote about the Gospel being “Too Good to Be True News”. And how that there is no way to be good enough to earn God’s love and approval. No matter how perfect we try to be. In part two I will look at that a bit more and also talk about the rest of Romans 1:16…specifically “the power of God to salvation.”
Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Notice the word “FOR”. Why is it there? Why did Paul begin his sentence this way? It is for a reason. The Greek word here indicates that this word is used in an argument or explanation; it is assigning a reason as to why. So I ask “Why is it there? What is Paul trying to explain or justify?” Verse 15 says “That he was ready to preach the gospel to them in Rome, for or because, he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.” He uses this word FOR again to indicate why he is not ashamed to come and preach to them in Rome. There was a price on Paul’s head. He was warned not to come to Rome. He continues “I am not ashamed because the gospel is because it is the power of God to Salvation.” This was huge news to the Jews at the time who thought that their salvation came through or by keeping the laws that God had given them.
*NOTE: sometimes we get ourselves stuck because we hold onto a word or plan from God and don’t know when to let go of it and move onto the next thing that God has for us. “But God told me this. I know it was God”. We might defend. Yeah it was God 20 years ago. But is it still God today? Or did we just get comfortable? It is not always easy to exercise our faith. It requires that we make ourselves vulnerable and dependant on God. Daily! God gave the Israelites the Law for two reasons. 1) So that they could live moral, healthy and socially happy lives in peace. 2) So that they would realize that they couldn’t save themselves and that they needed a Savior, God (Jesus).
Paul said that he is not ashamed of this “gospel of Christ” for it is the power of God to salvation….
The Greek here for “Power of God to Salvation” reads it is God’s power concerning salvation. So if this is God’s Power concerning Salvation, I want to know what it is. I am saved and salvation is mine… So I ask myself, what “power” is and what “salvation” is?
The Greek word for power is dunamis. The Greek word for salvation is soteria.
Dunamis = specially, miraculous power (usually a miracle itself): ability, abundance, meaning, might, (worker of) miracles, power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
Soteria = Safety, preservation, healing, wholeness, soundness of mind and body, plus eternal life.
God’s dunamis “concerning” soteria…
Paul continues and says…This is for EVERYONE who believers… I’m a believer… This is for me
And that in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed…from faith to faith… revealed means not covered or hidden but disclosed
He then says God’s righteousness is revealed FROM faith TO faith….
From faith denotes origin…while to faith indicates the point reached. When we start in faith we need to finish in faith. For we will reap in due season if we don’t give up Galatians 6:9
The just shall live by faith… or from faith…
Ed Schultz | Writing & Ministry 