Not ashamed
Paul’s next statement could be called the thesis statement of the epistle: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). That is one of the most potent, penetrating statements in all the New Testament. Paul equates the gospel itself with God’s almighty power! No wonder he says he is not ashamed of the gospel. The rest of the epistle is an exposition of this one statement, unfolding in brilliant detail the truth of the gospel and showing why it is so powerful. That’s why Romans takes such a prominent place among the Pauline epistles. Paul was so committed to the gospel that occasionally he referred to it as “my gospel” (Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 2 Tim. 2:8). Far from being ashamed of it, he spoke of it as if it were his own prized possession! But as Paul well knew, the cost of standing up for the gospel could be great. Consequently, too many Christians did behave as if they were ashamed of the gospel. Mockery was a