Ready and Unashamed To Share

Review:

Last time we began our study on the Book of Romans

Read: Romans 1:15-17

Romans 1:15–17 KJV 1900

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 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. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Ready: Romans 1:15

Romans 1:15 KJV 1900

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Paul had EQUIPPED himself to know how to share Christ. (1:15) - “I am ready”

The necessity of preparation. – “so as much as in me is”

The need to make “sharing Christ” a top priority. – a present tense, eager, on-going desire – not just the emotional stir of the moment. His is motivated by his burden.

Unashamed: Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

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.

ASHAMED -to experience a painful feeling or sense of loss of status because of some particular event or activity, be ashamed.

William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 357.

2 Timothy 1:8 KJV 1900

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Mark 8:38 KJV 1900

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

2 Timothy 1:12 KJV 1900

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Romans 10:11 KJV 1900

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

John Stott recounts a comment made by Scottish theologian James Stewart concerning this passage: “There’s no sense in declaring that you’re not ashamed of something unless you’ve been tempted to feel ashamed of it” (Stott, p. 60). We think of Paul as invincible, yet he was human.

Kenneth Boa and William Kruidenier, Romans, vol. 6, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 30.

Why would Paul even be tempted to be ashamed of the Gospel as he contemplated his trip to Rome? For one thing, the Gospel was identified with a poor Jewish carpenter who was crucified. The Romans had no special appreciation for the Jews, and crucifixion was the lowest form of execution given a criminal. Why put your faith in a Jew who was crucified?

Romans 5. He Expresses His Eagerness to Preach in Rome Based on His Debt to All People and His Confidence in the Gospel (vv. 14–16)

Paul is actually meaning that he glories in the gospel. He is proud of the gospel and counts it an honor to proclaim it.

Romans 5. He Expresses His Eagerness to Preach in Rome Based on His Debt to All People and His Confidence in the Gospel (vv. 14–16)

For it is the power of God unto salvation. This is why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. He was confident that the gospel of Christ is effective. It will accomplish all that it claims. Salvation is salvation from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and ultimately the presence of sin.

To the Jew first...

Romans 5. He Expresses His Eagerness to Preach in Rome Based on His Debt to All People and His Confidence in the Gospel (vv. 14–16)

Our understanding of the development of redemptive history is greatly lacking if we do not understand the place of the Jew in the program of God.

From the Abrahamic Covenant onward, all covenants of God were made with Israel. God has never made a redemptive covenant with the Gentiles. Gentiles become the seed of Abraham and thus partake of the redemptive blessings of God.

Through Abraham, God called into existence the nation of Israel. It was to Abraham and his seed that salvation was promised. It was to Israel that the Messiah was promised and to Israel that He came. It was to Israel that the gospel was preached for about 7 or 8 years before it was preached to the Gentiles.

Living by Faith: Romans 1:17

Romans 1:17 KJV 1900

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

This is repeated in Gal 3:11

Galatians 3:11 KJV 1900

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 10:38 KJV 1900

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Saved or justified by faith: This is a great theme in Romans we will see later

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)