17 October 2023

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’

From Romans 1:16-25, NRSV

Having established his authority and outlined the purpose of his mission, Paul continues his letter to the Romans with another bold statement. Although others may have felt themselves above a gospel about a crucified Jewish Saviour who associated with the poor and outcast, Paul was not ashamed of this gospel. The people of the great city of Rome, the capital of the Empire, had many other gospels or “good news” to choose from. Many put their trust and faith in the mighty Emperors or other gods. Paul goes on to describe the problems that people had made for themselves by rejecting God. He points out that God’s power had always been there for people to see in all that he had made. To a city that considered itself powerful, Paul asserts that the only real power comes through faith in God and that this faith is open to all.

• • What impact do you think Paul’s words would have had on the small Christian communities of Rome?
  • What are the things that can help or hinder growth in faith?

Give thanks for the ways in which your faith has been nurtured and sustained.