The Power Behind Gospel Preaching
Opening Up Romans—10
Exploring the riches of God’s grace, one passage at a time.
We’ve made it—not to the end of Romans, but to the end of Paul’s introduction! We’ve been exploring why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel (on 1:16) and the urgency of preaching it in a world full of distractions and gimmicks (on 1:17). Now, we turn to the source of that power: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (1:17). Martin Luther wrestled with this phrase for years, initially fearing God’s justice as punishing sinners. But as he meditated, he realized that God’s righteousness is also His gift of grace, given to sinners so they can be accepted before Him. This is the true power behind gospel preaching: a gracious God who grants His righteousness.
The Logic of the Text
Paul’s boldness in preaching comes from confidence in the gospel, not in his own abilities. He longed to reach Rome, yet he was not ashamed of being a simple preacher rather than a skilled rhetorician.
Today, the temptation is similar: flashy production, lights, music, or multimedia often substitute for the central message. But Paul reminds us, preaching alone reveals God’s power. The gospel preached demonstrates His righteousness and changes hearts, not our programs or strategies.
The Meaning of Righteousness
Righteousness is central to Paul’s message. The “righteousness of God” can refer either to God’s justice as Judge or the righteousness He freely gives as Savior. The Old Testament speaks of God’s judgment like this: “The Lord will by no means clear the guilty” (Ex. 34:7; Nah. 1:2–3). We stand condemned under that standard. But God also gives saving righteousness: “In your righteousness deliver me” (Ps. 71:2).
This divine gift, available through the gospel, is what makes sinners acceptable before God. John Calvin summarized it well:
We can obtain salvation from no other source than the Gospel…which alone delivers us from death.
The Reception of Gospel Righteousness
How do we receive this righteousness? “From faith for faith” (1:17) means salvation is entirely by faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is not our effort to earn righteousness; it is receiving what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. Luther explained,
God desires to save us not through our own righteousness, but through the righteousness and wisdom of someone else.
This faith is the foundation of justification: God forgives, accepts, and accounts us as righteous solely because of Christ (see Westminster Larger Catechism, Q&A 70).
Faith alone connects us to God’s saving righteousness. Paul contrasted his achievements under the law with the righteousness received by faith: “I count everything as loss…that I may gain Christ and be found in him…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ” (Phil. 3:7–9).
Understanding Romans 1:17 isn’t just academic—it’s deeply personal. The gospel preached imparts God’s righteousness to sinners, and faith allows us to receive it. Every sermon, every conversation about Jesus, every testimony brings this righteousness to life in the hearts of people.
Trusting God’s Power
The power behind gospel preaching is God Himself. He gives His saving righteousness to sinners. Preaching reveals this righteousness, invites faith, and brings salvation.
As we have seen through Romans 1:1–17, Paul’s unashamed boldness, his focus on the gospel, and his confidence in God’s power all flow from this reality. For you and me, this is the treasure that sustains our lives, equips our witness, and transforms our community. Let’s hear the Word, trust in Christ, and proclaim His gospel boldly.