Overview
Romans 1:16–17 serves as a powerful thesis statement for the entire Book of Romans, encapsulating the essence of the Apostle Paul’s message about the gospel and its role in salvation. In verse 16, Paul declares with boldness that he is “not ashamed of the gospel,” emphasizing his unwavering commitment to proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. He explains that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” underscoring that it is through this divine message that both Jews and Gentiles can be saved. The universality of salvation is central here—Paul stresses that belief, not heritage or adherence to the law, is the key to receiving God’s saving grace.
In verse 17, Paul delves deeper into the nature of the gospel by stating that “in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith.” This phrase suggests that God’s righteousness—His perfect moral standard and the means by which humans are made right with Him—is made known through the gospel and is accessed through faith alone. The expression “from faith for faith” can be interpreted as emphasizing that the entire journey of salvation is rooted in faith from beginning to end. Paul concludes this thought by quoting the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk: “The righteous shall live by faith.” This quotation links the Christian message to the Hebrew Scriptures, reinforcing the idea that justification by faith is not a new concept but one deeply rooted in God’s longstanding redemptive plan. Together, these verses establish the foundational Christian truth that salvation is a gift from God, available to all through faith, and that the gospel is the divine means by which this truth is made known to the world.
In-Depth
In Romans 1:16–17, the Apostle Paul presents what is often considered the thematic heart of his entire epistle to the Romans. These two verses serve not only as a bold declaration of his personal conviction but also as a theological introduction to the central message of the gospel: justification by faith. Paul begins in verse 16 with a confident assertion: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.” This is a striking statement in light of the context in which Paul was writing. In the Greco-Roman world, the message of a crucified Jewish Messiah was seen as foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23). Yet Paul refuses to distance himself from this message; instead, he embraces it with boldness and proclaims its transformative power. His lack of shame is rooted not in human wisdom or cultural approval, but in his conviction that the gospel is nothing less than the “power of God for salvation.”
The Greek word for power (δύναμις, dynamis) emphasizes an active, dynamic force—God’s power unleashed in the world to rescue humanity from sin and death. This power, Paul insists, brings salvation, not merely in the sense of deliverance from present difficulties, but in the full, eternal sense: the restoration of humanity’s broken relationship with God. Importantly, Paul specifies that this salvation is “to everyone who believes”— with no partiality. The phrase underscores the universal scope of the gospel. It is available to “the Jew first and also to the Greek.” This ordering reflects the historical unfolding of God’s redemptive plan: salvation was first revealed through the Jewish people, but it is now extended to the Gentiles. The gospel, therefore, breaks down ethnic and religious boundaries and centers faith—not lineage, law, or works—as the means of access to God’s saving grace.
Verse 17 builds upon this by explaining why the gospel is the power of God for salvation: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.” The phrase “righteousness of God” has been widely debated, but in context, it refers primarily to God’s gift of justifying righteousness—His act of making sinners right with Himself. It is not merely a characteristic of God (though it includes that), but an activity of God on behalf of humanity. It reveals both His justice and His mercy. This righteousness is not earned by human effort but is revealed—uncovered and offered—“from faith to faith.” Scholars interpret this phrase in various ways, but most agree it emphasizes the complete dependence on faith at every stage of the Christian life. It is a righteousness that begins in faith and continues in faith—it originates, is sustained, and is completed by trusting in God.
Paul then reinforces his point by citing Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous shall live by faith.” This Old Testament quotation serves as theological support for the principle Paul is teaching. In Habakkuk, the statement referred to the faithful remnant of Israel who would live through coming judgment by trusting in God. Paul reinterprets this in light of the gospel to mean that anyone—Jew or Gentile—who is made righteous by God will live (both spiritually and eternally) through faith. The quote serves as a bridge between the Old Covenant and the New, showing continuity in God’s redemptive plan.
Thus, in Romans 1:16–17, Paul lays the cornerstone for the rest of his letter. These verses articulate that the gospel is not a religious idea or moral teaching, but the powerful, divine means by which God rescues sinners, justifies them by grace through faith, and reveals His righteous character and plan. They introduce key theological themes—faith, righteousness, salvation, and universality—that Paul will explore in depth throughout the rest of the epistle. This passage ultimately invites every reader into a faith-centered relationship with God, rooted not in human merit but in divine mercy and revealed truth.
Discovery Questions
Here are some discovery questions you can ask about Romans 1:16–17—great for personal reflection, small group study, or Bible discussion:
Understanding the Text
- What does Paul mean when he says he is “not ashamed of the gospel”?
- How is the gospel described as the “power of God”? What does that imply?
- What does salvation mean in this context? Salvation from what, and for what?
- Why does Paul emphasize that salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles?
- What is the “righteousness of God” that is revealed in the gospel?
- What does “from faith for faith” mean? How do different translations handle this phrase?
- Why does Paul quote Habakkuk 2:4 here, and what does it add to his argument?
Personal Reflection
- Have you ever felt hesitant or ashamed to share the gospel? Why or why not?
- In what ways have you experienced the gospel as power in your own life?
- What does living “by faith” look like in your everyday life?
- Do you ever struggle with the idea that righteousness comes by faith and not by works?
- How does understanding that salvation is for “everyone who believes” impact the way you view yourself or others?
Group Discussion / Application
- What makes the gospel difficult or easy to share in today’s world?
- How can we better communicate the gospel as a message of God’s power rather than just a moral teaching?
- How does this passage challenge common religious or cultural ideas about how people are made right with God?
- How can your group or church be more intentional about showing that the gospel is for everyone—regardless of background?
- What are some practical ways we can help each other live “by faith” in our community?
In Summary
In summary, Romans 1:16–17 is the core message of Paul’s letter to the Romans. He boldly declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, both Jew and Gentile. This salvation is not based on human effort, but on faith. Through the gospel, the righteousness of God—His way of making sinners right with Himself—is revealed. This righteousness comes entirely by faith, from beginning to end. Paul supports this with Scripture, quoting Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous shall live by faith,” showing that this has always been God’s plan. These verses set the foundation for the rest of the letter, where Paul unpacks how the gospel justifies, sanctifies, and unites all people through faith in Jesus Christ.
