Romans 1:16­–17

Memory Verse

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the Christ, for it is the inherent ability of God unto salvation to all who believe, both the Jew, first, and the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed out from faith into faith, just as it is written, “The just will live out from faith.”, Romans 1:16–17.

Although the gospel of the Christ encompasses more than initial salvation, it possesses an inherent ability to save; therefore, it is important that we present the gospel for salvation correctly and without any additions. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, the gospel that he evangelized, through which we are saved: Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. This is the only message that possesses the ability to save.

God’s righteousness is revealed in the gospel of the Christ. The message first came to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. Paul is not indicating a progression of one’s faith, but rather, how the gospel of the Christ relates to both the Jew and Gentile. The Jews possessed a faith, whereas the Gentiles had no faith (Ephesians 2:12). Therefore, the Jews came out from a faith and the Gentiles came into a faith (Romans 3:30).

Faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Therefore, faith must always be based upon a promise. God gave Abraham a covenant of land, which was passed down to his descendants (Exodus 19:5), whereas He permitted the nations to go their own ways (Acts 14:16). Now Christ has torn down the dividing wall and made one new man from both the Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:15). Grace believers possess a better covenant, built upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6).