Treasures in Romans: The Heart of the Gospel
Adult devotional
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Listen to audio [5mins]
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Acts 23:11
That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Romans 1:16–17
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Romans 1:16–17
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
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Contextual & Historical Background
Paul received his vision in Acts 23:11 immediately after an intense interrogation before a council of religious leaders. During the interrogation, Paul was questioned, struck in the face, and in danger of being torn apart by the angry crowd (Acts 23:2). Such perilous persecution might have caused Paul to wonder if he was about to meet his end. The vision Paul received assured him his time was not yet. If Paul was still to testify in Rome, he would not perish in Jerusalem, even if the Jews were actively plotting to murder him.
Paul’s letter to the Romans was one of the few he wrote before he visited the church to whom he was writing. For a while he had intended to visit Rome, but thus far he had been prevented (Romans 1:13). Paul sent his letter to the Roman church by the hand of Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea, a town in Corinth (Romans 16:1). This indicates Paul probably wrote Romans while ministering in Corinth, possibly during his one-and-a-half-year tenure there. (See Acts 18:1–11.)
Paul’s emphasis on faith was a consistent theme throughout his writing, featuring heavily in each of his epistles. Romans 1:16–17 essentially serves as a thesis statement for Romans; the word faith was mentioned almost forty times in this book. For Paul, all aspects of salvation only came through faith, from one’s initial justification to progressive sanctification to our ultimate glorification (Apostolic Study Bible, note for Romans 1:16). Such an understanding encompasses the past, present, and future “tenses” of salvation: we were saved when we first responded to the gospel and followed the plan of salvation; we are being saved as we strive to live a holy lifestyle and Christ molds us daily into His image; and we will be saved when Jesus Christ returns for His church, and we are raptured into glory. Thus Paul concluded that the Christian walk was only discovered in continuous, ongoing faithful actions—“from faith to faith.”
In Acts 23:11, after facing harsh interrogation and even physical violence, Paul received a powerful vision from God assuring him of his mission. Despite a deadly plot against him, Paul’s journey was far from over. This moment marked an anchor point in his calling to spread the gospel to Rome.
Paul's letter to the Romans, one of his most influential writings, was carried to the Roman church by Phoebe, a trusted deaconess from Cenchrea. Paul wrote this letter while in Corinth, laying the foundation for the gospel message with an emphasis on faith. His core thesis, expressed in Romans 1:16–17, declared salvation as a journey “from faith to faith,” encapsulating the past, present, and future work of God’s salvation. In Paul’s eyes, this journey demands unwavering faith.
Paul received his vision in Acts 23:11 immediately after an intense interrogation before a council of religious leaders. During the interrogation, Paul was questioned, struck in the face, and in danger of being torn apart by the angry crowd (Acts 23:2). Such perilous persecution might have caused Paul to wonder if he was about to meet his end. The vision Paul received assured him his time was not yet. If Paul was still to testify in Rome, he would not perish in Jerusalem, even if the Jews were actively plotting to murder him.
Paul’s letter to the Romans was one of the few he wrote before he visited the church to whom he was writing. For a while he had intended to visit Rome, but thus far he had been prevented (Romans 1:13). Paul sent his letter to the Roman church by the hand of Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea, a town in Corinth (Romans 16:1). This indicates Paul probably wrote Romans while ministering in Corinth, possibly during his one-and-a-half-year tenure there. (See Acts 18:1–11.)
Paul’s emphasis on faith was a consistent theme throughout his writing, featuring heavily in each of his epistles. Romans 1:16–17 essentially serves as a thesis statement for Romans; the word faith was mentioned almost forty times in this book. For Paul, all aspects of salvation only came through faith, from one’s initial justification to progressive sanctification to our ultimate glorification (Apostolic Study Bible, note for Romans 1:16). Such an understanding encompasses the past, present, and future “tenses” of salvation: we were saved when we first responded to the gospel and followed the plan of salvation; we are being saved as we strive to live a holy lifestyle and Christ molds us daily into His image; and we will be saved when Jesus Christ returns for His church, and we are raptured into glory. Thus Paul concluded that the Christian walk was only discovered in continuous, ongoing faithful actions—“from faith to faith.”
In Acts 23:11, after facing harsh interrogation and even physical violence, Paul received a powerful vision from God assuring him of his mission. Despite a deadly plot against him, Paul’s journey was far from over. This moment marked an anchor point in his calling to spread the gospel to Rome.
Paul's letter to the Romans, one of his most influential writings, was carried to the Roman church by Phoebe, a trusted deaconess from Cenchrea. Paul wrote this letter while in Corinth, laying the foundation for the gospel message with an emphasis on faith. His core thesis, expressed in Romans 1:16–17, declared salvation as a journey “from faith to faith,” encapsulating the past, present, and future work of God’s salvation. In Paul’s eyes, this journey demands unwavering faith.
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Practical Application
Faith was the core of Paul’s gospel message, and it remains central to our walk with God today. From the moment we accept Christ to each step we take thereafter, faith is a constant companion. We, like Paul, may face uncertainty or even opposition, yet our belief in the gospel empowers us.
In today’s world, where fear and uncertainty can dominate, remembering the power of the gospel reassures us that God’s promises are greater than our doubts. Paul’s courage—standing firm despite intense persecution—invites us to live out our beliefs with the same boldness. Whether at work, in family, or with friends, our faith should be evident, not hidden or compromised.
Faith was the core of Paul’s gospel message, and it remains central to our walk with God today. From the moment we accept Christ to each step we take thereafter, faith is a constant companion. We, like Paul, may face uncertainty or even opposition, yet our belief in the gospel empowers us.
In today’s world, where fear and uncertainty can dominate, remembering the power of the gospel reassures us that God’s promises are greater than our doubts. Paul’s courage—standing firm despite intense persecution—invites us to live out our beliefs with the same boldness. Whether at work, in family, or with friends, our faith should be evident, not hidden or compromised.
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Action Step
This week, identify one area of your life where fear holds you back. Reflect on Romans 1:16 and make a conscious choice to step out in faith, sharing the hope and power of the gospel in that area.
Make it your goal to build courage and intentionality in living out the gospel daily. Taking even small steps in faith empowers a lifestyle that honors God and touches lives around us.
This week, identify one area of your life where fear holds you back. Reflect on Romans 1:16 and make a conscious choice to step out in faith, sharing the hope and power of the gospel in that area.
- Example: If you feel hesitant to share your beliefs with others, start with a simple conversation about faith with a friend or coworker. Trust God’s Spirit to guide you and give you the words.
Make it your goal to build courage and intentionality in living out the gospel daily. Taking even small steps in faith empowers a lifestyle that honors God and touches lives around us.
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Prayer
“Lord Jesus, strengthen my heart and deepen my faith. Help me to live unashamed of Your gospel, confident in its power to bring hope and transformation. Guide me this week to act in faith where I’ve hesitated, so that others may see Your light and love in me. Shape my life from faith to faith, as I trust in Your unfailing promises.
In the name of Jesus, amen.”
“Lord Jesus, strengthen my heart and deepen my faith. Help me to live unashamed of Your gospel, confident in its power to bring hope and transformation. Guide me this week to act in faith where I’ve hesitated, so that others may see Your light and love in me. Shape my life from faith to faith, as I trust in Your unfailing promises.
In the name of Jesus, amen.”
Posted in Adult devotionals