Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation
for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The
just shall live by faith."

In these two verses lie more nuggets than can be mined in one study alone. Each phrase,
each word is worthy of study and meditation to implant these truths in our hearts.

1:16 “Gospel” is the translation of euangelion (Gk.), which combines angelia (Gk.),
meaning “message,” with the Greek prefix eu, meaning “well” or “good.” Hence, the
gospel is a “good message.” The precise nature of the Christian gospel is nowhere more
succinctly stated than in 1 Cor. 15:3, 4. The essential facts of the gospel include:
(1) the incarnation of the Son of God,
(2) His atoning death on the cross for our sins,
(3) His victorious resurrection for our justification, and
(4) the promise of His return for His people.
An additional and inevitable thrust of this gospel is the appeal to respond to those truths
in repentance and faith.
Believer’s Study Bible

Paul now gives the reason why he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power
of God, the great and admirable mystery which has been hidden with God from before
the foundation of the world. The gospel, through the agency of the Holy Spirit of God,
does what no amount of mere human reasoning or argumentation can do. The gospel
compels men to face the reality of their own sin and guilt, the inevitability of divine
judgment, and the need for a perfect substitute to make atonement for sin, if man is to
survive at all. The gospel is the dynamite (Gr dinamis) which blasts away self-
complacency, self-delusion, and sinful self-reliance. This nothing else can do, for nothing
else is in itself the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. KJV Bible
commentary

G1411 - power
δυναμις
dunamis; from G1410; (miraculous) power, might, strength: - ability (4), meaning (1), mightily (1),
mighty (1), miracle (2), miracles (17), miraculous powers (3), power (83), powers (6), strength (2),
wealth (1).

G4991 - salvation
σωτηρια
sō tē ria
so-tay-ree'-ah
Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or
morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
The gospel is the power of God – when will we get that straight in our thinking? That
leather bound, flimsy page book in your hands is the power of God! God’s word is His
power!
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
(12) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The power for what? Salvation!! In the most basic language – if you want people to get
saved you must share the gospel with them. Since salvation is everything assured us in
the atonement of Jesus, you could also say the gospel (word of God) is the power of God
for deliverance or healing.

“for everyone who believes” – the gospel message is for everyone but it only works for
those who believe. Faith is a requirement for salvation.

“To the Jew first and also to the Greek” - and so it was. The early apostles ministered
first to the Jewish people and then spread the message to the world.

1:17 The righteousness of God is God’s way of justifying sinners, that is, putting them
right with Himself without compromising His absolutely pure moral character. As it is
written: Hab. 2:4 indicates that salvation by faith alone was clearly taught in the OT,
also. (Note the examples of Abraham and David in 4:1-8, and see Heb. 11.) People were
not saved by works or obedience to the Law in the OT any more than in the NT. In the
OT, people put faith in a Messiah who was yet to come (see John 8:56; Heb. 11:13).
Spirit filled life study Bible

Salvation has always been by grace through faith. There is no other way of being made
righteous in the eyes of God.

The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. First the gospel tells us that God’s
righteousness demands that sins be punished, and the penalty is eternal death. But then
we hear that God’s love provided what His righteousness demanded. He sent His Son to
die as a Substitute for sinners, paying the penalty in full. Now because His righteous
claims have been fully satisfied, God can righteously save all those who avail themselves
of the work of Christ. Believer's Bible Commentary

G1343 - righteousness
δικαιοσυνη
dikaiosunē
dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay
From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness.

The just shall live by faith – was the rallying cry of the Reformation. For years people
had been in bondage to man made rules from the Roman Church. This verse literally
changed the course of history! What freedom, what liberty there is in knowing that we
are forgiven, justified and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! When presented with the
truth of the gospel, how can we not accept the full pardon that Jesus offers?
Sola fide!! Only faith!! Sola scriptura – only the Scriptures!! Is this your rallying cry
too?