Paul was ready to preach the Gospel or as it can be translated eager to preach the Gospel to those who were in Rome(1:14). Why would he be eager to preach to those in the church? This letter is going to the church who are already believers. I have never heard a Gospel presentation that I have not been blessed by. The Gospel blesses those who already know it. Paul was going to use this church as an outpost to bless the unreached as well. Who were the unreached? Paul says that he is, "...under obligation to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, to the wise and the unwise." Many say that Rome was settled by Greeks. If you disagree with that historical note then when Alexander the Great took over much of the known world Rome was certainly part of that takeover. The Greek language was spread almost to the whole world as well as its culture. Paul is obligated to what many would say of the Greeks and that is the polished and refined as opposed to the Barbarians. The Barbarians literally meant someone who said, bar bar. Their language was ugly and inharmonious, unlike that of the Greek language that was fluid and beautiful. Paul said he was obligated to the wise and unwise. Paul was going to preach the cross to those who are educated and to the uneducated.

In verse sixteen everything comes together for this letter. All that has been said up to this point and afterwords has to do with verse 16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes, to the Jew first and to the Greek. What can wash away my sin nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can bring you and me into a right relationship with the God of the universe--the Gospel. What is the answer that everyone is looking for it is Jesus. People are looking at so many things to bring them the happiness they long for but people are looking to the wrong things. The point is that people are looking!!!! People are searching and they do not know where to look. We must along with Paul be eager and ready to preach the Gospel of Christ. Why? We are obligated like Paul because of the grace that has been extended to us and because the Gospel is the power unto salvation.

"If ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery, it was I." stated Martin Luther. What kept him awake at night was Romans 1:17, which says, "... the righteousness of God was revealed in the Gospel." Is it the righteousness that judges us for our sin or is it the righteousness we can all have by faith in Christ? Finally, Luther understood it was the righteousness revealed in Christ that we can have by faith. When Luther understood this truth he was born again!!! Listen to his own words, "'Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise." That moment changed the whole course of history. We are having this study because of Dr. Luther. Martin Luther died a Catholic. He never saw himself as starting something new, he was a reformer. He wanted to see the church renewed by the truth in God's word. He wanted everyone to hear this message and because of that burning desire he translated the Bible from Latin into German. The powers that be were not happy about him translating God's Word into the common language. Once a man asked him what would happen if common people got their hands on God's Word, to which Luther replied, "Maybe more people would get saved."

When was it that you really realized that Christ wants to impart His righteousness to you by faith? When did you begin to drink from the springs of God's grace? What changes has happened to you as a result of you placing your faith in Christ? What changes have taken place in other peoples lives because of you believing the Gospel? What would you give to see more people receive the truth of this Gospel?

Good morning to all the frozen chosen,

Paul is proud of these believers in Rome. Paul says that, "... your faith is being reported all over the world." There was no Internet, let alone phones etc. but it was out that these believers were standing firm in their faith. Paul had not even been there and there was no New Testament. It is amazing that a fledgling church could survive in Rome and about three hundred years later Christianity would be announced as the official religion. Paul had them in his prayers all the time and do not believe this was some nice thing he was saying--in other words he really was praying for them.

Paul wanted to visit to impart some spiritual gift to them and then he talks about the mutual encouragement they would be to each other. How would these people be an encouragement to Paul? Their faith was in practice. To see believers in action is always an encouragement to God's people no matter their position. What you know make sure it is put to practice. You may encourage people without really knowing it but it is never wasted energy to obey the Lord!!