Not Ashamed of the Gospel
"All have sinned"
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What does it say?
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The whole letter, in shortThe main points of the whole letter, in a few sentences.
Paul writes to the Christians in Rome, a church he had never visited, and names the theme of his whole letter: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." In the gospel, God reveals a righteousness that comes by faith, for "the righteous will live by faith." Later he explains that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through Christ Jesus, by faith apart from works of the law.
Where it is in the Bible: Romans 1:1-17 and 3:21-28
All the sections at a glanceA map of the letter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Called and Loved | 1:1-7 | Paul introduces himself and the good news about Jesus |
| 2. I Long to See You | 1:8-15 | Paul thanks God for them and wants to visit |
| 3. Not Ashamed | 1:16-17 | The good news is God's power to save |
| 4. All Have Sinned | 3:21-26 | Everyone falls short, and God justifies freely |
| 5. No Room to Boast | 3:27-28 | We are made right by faith, not works |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this letter around AD 57 to the Christians in Rome. He had never visited them yet (1:13).
What was happening. The church in Rome had Jewish and non-Jewish believers. Paul hoped to visit on his way to Spain, so he wrote out the good news he preached, carefully and in order (15:23-24).
What this passage is. Paul's opening, where he names the theme of the whole letter (1:16-17). Then we jump ahead to chapter 3, where he explains it: everyone has sinned, and God makes people right with him freely, as a gift.
How to read it. Watch for two words: "righteousness" (being right with God) and "faith" (trusting him).
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5Called and Loved
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God" (1:1).
The gospel is the good news. God promised it long ago through the prophets.
It's about his Son, who was born from David's family and raised from the dead: "Jesus Christ our Lord" (1:4).
Paul writes "to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints" (1:7). Saints here means God's holy people, all believers.
Section 2 of 5I Long to See You
Paul thanks God because their faith is talked about all over the world.
He prays for them all the time and hopes to come.
He wants them to be "mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (1:12). Even the great apostle needs encouragement.
He has tried to visit before but kept getting stopped.
Section 3 of 5Not Ashamed
Then Paul states the theme of the whole letter.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek" (1:16).
The good news shows how God makes people right with him: by faith, from start to finish.
As the prophet Habakkuk wrote, "The righteous will live by faith" (1:17).
Section 4 of 5All Have Sinned
In the chapters between, Paul shows that everyone, Jew and non-Jew, has turned away from God. Then comes the turning point.
"But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed" (3:21).
It comes through faith in Jesus, to all who believe. "There is no distinction" (3:22).
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:23-24).
Justified means declared right with God. Freely means as a gift. Redemption means being bought back and set free.
God gave Jesus as the sacrifice that takes away sin. God is fair, and he makes right everyone who trusts Jesus.
Section 5 of 5No Room to Boast
"Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded" (3:27).
No one can brag, because no one earned it.
"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (3:28).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Set apart for the gospel of God" (1:1) | Paul's whole life was for the good news. |
| "Called to be saints" (1:7) | All believers are God's holy people. |
| "I am not ashamed of the gospel" (1:16) | Paul is proud of the good news, even when others laugh. |
| "The power of God for salvation" (1:16) | The good news doesn't just tell about saving. It saves. |
| "The righteous will live by faith" (1:17) | People right with God live by trusting him. |
| "All have sinned and fall short" (3:23) | No one is good enough on their own. |
| "Justified freely by His grace" (3:24) | God declares us right with him as a gift. |
Back Then
Rome was the capital of the empire, a city of around a million people.
Jews and Greeks. "Greek" here means anyone who isn't Jewish. Paul says the good news is for both.
Paul finally got to Rome years later, as a prisoner (Acts 28:16).
Literal Reader Alert
Why would anyone be ashamed of the gospel? A crucified Savior seemed foolish and weak to many people in Rome (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Does "all have sinned" mean everyone is equally bad? It means everyone falls short of God's glory. No one can stand before God on their own record.
Does faith mean good works don't matter? No. Paul says we are made right by faith, not works. Later in the letter he shows how this new life shows up in how we live (12:1-2).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paul | Eager | He longed to see them (1:11, 1:15) |
| Paul | Unashamed | The gospel is God's power (1:16) |
| Everyone | Short of the mark | All have sinned (3:23) |
| Believers | Free | They are justified as a gift (3:24) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which line do you need today? Tap one.
I'm embarrassed about my faith
Paul wasn't ashamed. The good news is God's power.
I'm not good enough
No one is. All have sinned, and God justifies freely.
I keep trying to earn it
Justified by faith, apart from works. It's a gift.
I feel alone in this
Paul longed to encourage and be encouraged. Faith is shared.
You Might Have Heard
"God helps those who help themselves."
What's true: God gives us work to do and wants us to use our gifts.
What the passage is mainly about: God helps those who can't help themselves. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace" (3:23-24).
Where Jesus is: He is the good news itself, the Son of God raised from the dead, who redeems us.
Good News
Everyone falls short. You, me, everyone.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:23-24).
God makes us right with him as a gift, through faith in Jesus.
The good news is the power of God to save everyone who believes. All have sinned, and all are justified freely by his grace in Christ Jesus.
Big Idea
The good news is the power of God for salvation. All have sinned and fall short, and God makes us right with him freely, by grace, through faith in Jesus.
If this letter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther said that when he finally understood Romans 1:17, that God's righteousness is a gift given through faith, he felt born again, as if the gates of paradise had opened.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Romans 1:1-7 on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and Romans 1:16-17 with 3:22b-28 in late spring and early summer. Lutheran churches often read Romans 3:19-28 on Reformation Sunday.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace
How did that feel?
You finished Not Ashamed of the Gospel.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday of Advent Year ASecond reading, Romans 1:1-7
- Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany Year ASecond reading, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 [29-31]
- Lectionary 9 Year ASecond reading, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 [29-31]
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Not Ashamed of the Gospel, explained in plain words. Paul names the heart of his letter: the good news is God's power to save, and he makes us right with him as a gift. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/not-ashamed-of-the-gospel/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church