Romans 1:16: 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.
That word “salvation” carried tremendous meaning in Paul’s day. Its basic meaning is “deliverance,” and it was applied to personal and national deliverance. The emperor was looked on as a savior, as was the physician who healed you of illness. The Gospel delivers sinners from the penalty and power of sin. “Salvation” is a major theme in this letter; salvation is the great need of the human race. 1
When Paul preached at Jerusalem, the religious center of the world, he was mobbed. When he preached at Athens, the intellectual center of the world, he was called a “seed-picker.” When he preached at Rome, the legislative center, he was masterful. He was always ready. He was never ashamed. 2
Application
- Are you embarrassed to be called a Bible-believing Christian? Or a born-again Christian? Or a person who holds to the fundamentals of the faith?
- Have you ever considered simply looking at the world as the existence of just two groups of people: those who are saved and those who need to be saved?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for not speaking out more about you. Make me graciously bold in giving out the gospel and praying diligently for the salvation of my family and friends.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
2. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.