The Man, The Motive, The Message

Romans · Romans 1 · July 5, 2026

Not ashamed: why the gospel still has power to change anyone.

Romans 1 lays the foundation for Paul’s whole letter. It introduces the gospel as God’s power for salvation, highlights the necessity of faith and describes humanity’s rejection of God. We can look at it in three parts: the man, the motive and the message.

The man

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). Though he was a Roman citizen, Paul humbly called himself a servant, completely dependent on his Master. He was set apart for a purpose.

But Paul points to another Man: the gospel is “regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who… was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:3–4). Jesus is His human name, Christ means the Anointed One, and Lord is His title of victory over death and the grave. And to everyone in Rome, and to us, Paul writes: you are “loved by God and called to be his holy people” (1:7).

The motive

In Romans 1:8–15 we see what drove Paul, and the traits of every growing believer. He was thankful (1:8), committed to serving God (1:9), prayerful without ceasing (1:9), surrendered to God’s timing (1:10), wanting others to be usable and strengthened (1:11), humble enough to be encouraged by them (1:12), fruitful (1:13), obligated to share the gospel with everyone (1:14), and eager (1:15). This was a man who had been jailed in Philippi, chased out of Thessalonica, mocked in Athens and stoned in Galatia, and he was still eager. It’s possible to live in a pagan culture and still let your light shine.

The message

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1:16–17). Those words transformed Martin Luther and sparked the Reformation. The gospel delivers us from sin, transforms our lives and keeps us. And it’s for everyone. Beware of counterfeit gospels: religion (just turn over a new leaf), materialism, “I’m okay, you’re okay,” and “do as you please.” Only the gospel of Jesus changes us from the inside out.

Paul also warns what happens when people suppress the truth. God has revealed Himself plainly in creation, “so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20); “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). Three times Paul says “God gave them over” (1:24, 26, 28), letting people have the path they insist on. His list includes sexual sin, including homosexual practice, alongside “acceptable” sins like envy, gossip, pride and greed. All have sinned (Romans 3:23). Our response is to hold God’s standard without condemning people, because all are made in His image, and to pray.

And there is hope for all of us: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Members of this church family have been set free from addiction, trauma, shame and self-hatred. That’s the power of the gospel.

Scripture references

Romans 1 · Romans 16 · 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 · Isaiah 53:3 · Habakkuk 2:4 · Psalm 19:1 · Matthew 15:19–20 · Romans 3:23 · 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 · 1 Peter 1:5

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