March 22, 2026 - I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Romans 1:8–16 (ESV)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—
12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Summary and Reflection
In this passage, Paul expresses deep gratitude for the faith of the Roman believers and emphasizes his desire to visit them. His intent is not only to strengthen their faith but also to experience mutual encouragement through shared belief.
Paul highlights three key themes:
Faith in Action: The reputation of the Roman church demonstrates how visible and influential genuine faith can be.
Mutual Encouragement: Christian growth is not isolated—believers are strengthened through community and shared faith.
Boldness in the Gospel: Paul’s declaration in verse 16 serves as a central thesis—he is unashamed because the gospel carries God’s power to bring salvation to all who believe.
This passage sets the foundation for the rest of Romans by clearly establishing Paul’s mission, his heart for people, and the universal reach of the gospel.