Devine Scripture

Romans 1:16

What does Romans 1:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 1:16 means

Paul is not ashamed of the gospel because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes—first to the Jew, then to the Greek. The gospel is not advice; it is God’s effective action to rescue sinners. Faith is the means of receiving it. The order “to the Jew first” honors the historical priority of Israel in God’s plan and the pattern of Paul’s ministry, but the scope is universal. The gospel’s power does not depend on cultural approval. Paul’s courage springs from confidence in what God does through the message of Christ crucified and risen.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I have no feeling of shame about the good news, because it is the power of God giving salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first, and then to the Greek.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first and to the Greek.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I am not ashamed of the glad tidings; for it isGod's power to salvation, to every one that believes, both to Jew first and to Greek:

Context

This verse begins the thematic heart of Romans, paired with verse 17. After expressing eagerness to preach in Rome (v.15), Paul declares the gospel’s power and universal reach (v.16). Next, verse 17 will explain how the gospel saves: by revealing God’s righteousness received by faith. Then verse 18 will introduce the problem the gospel addresses—God’s wrath against all ungodliness—leading into the long indictment of human sinfulness.

v.15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.

v.16This passage

v.17For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 3:26

    Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:24

    But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4

    (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds);

  • 1 Corinthians 15:2

    by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

  • Psalms 110:2

    Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

  • Romans 2:9

    tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;

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