Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first… There are two reasons for which we may be ashamed of anything — 1. If it be base in itself, or shameful in its aim. 2. Though good in itself, and honourable in its aim, if it be weak and powerless to achieve the good it aims at. For example: we are ashamed of a traitor who sells his country for gold; and of a general who, though loyally fighting for his country, ruins its cause through ignorance or incapacity. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because — I. IT WAS NOT BASE IN ITSELF, NOR SHAMEFUL IN ITS AIMS. Its facts were true, its morals pure, its doctrine ennobling. Its aim is "salvation." You have seen at a railway station carriages labelled "London," "Edinburgh," etc., signifying that the company engaged to carry the passengers to these places. So the gospel is labelled as intended to carry passengers "unto salvation." Anything short of that would be to fail in its promise. But what is this "salvation"? The common idea is, that when a man dies he shall be saved from hell and have a place in heaven. But salvation implies more than this — deliverance from the corruption of sin as well as from its condemnation; from its power as well as from its punishment — in short, deliverance from sin itself. II. IT WAS NOT FEEBLE AND UNABLE TO ACHIEVE ITS AIM. Its power is as great as its purpose is good. This is what most of all we need? We know the doctrines of the gospel, the sins it forbids, the duties it requires, the hopes it teaches. But somehow we feel that these things do not influence us as they ought. What we need is power to convince us, to subdue us, to rule over us, to sustain us, power to resist the devil, to overcome the world. In some things the gospel has come to us in power. For example, we believe in the forgiveness of sins through Christ's blood. And that belief has brought us peace from the fear of punishment. But oh I how we long that the words, "Go and sin no more," would "come in power." Behold, then, gospel promises do not speak more truly of pardon than they speak of power for present duty by Christ's living grace. 3. ITS OFFER IS NOT LIMITED TO ANY ONE NATION OR CLASS, but is free and sure "to everyone that believeth." "To as many as received Him, to them gave He power," etc. Everyone who believes on Jesus receives of the Holy Spirit. They receive this power, but they must use it. The power of God is laid up for them in Christ; but out of His fulness they must go on to draw grace for grace. (W. Grant.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. |
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