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The Cross in the Prison Epistles.
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A | Eph. 2: 16, 17.
Reconciliation by the cross. Connected with peace.
B | Phil. 2: 8.
The death of the cross. The humiliation.
C | Phil. 3: 18.
Enemies of the cross. Described.
B | Col. 1: 20.
Peace by the cross.
Connected with reconciliation.
A | Col. 2: 14.
Freedom by the cross.
The triumph.
Points for Preachers.
"For" (Rom. 1: 16-18).
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16. 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.
17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just
shall live by faith.
18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
1. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel."--"Not ashamed" (cf. Rom. 5: 5), a figure
of speech where one lessens a thing in order to increase it. Paul really gloried in
the gospel. All men, whether wise or foolish, whether Jew or Greek, stood equally
in need of this gospel.
2. "For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."--The
gospel is not a moral code, it is dynamic; it works, it is the power of God. The
clause explains the reason why the apostle was "not ashamed," viz., (a) the gospel
was the power of God, (b) it was unto salvation, (c) it was to every one
(irrespective of race) who believed.
3. "FOR therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith."--Here is
the secret of the power of the gospel. The sinner's deepest need, though he may
not at first realize it, is not simply the forgiveness of sins (a negative blessing
viewed alone), but its scriptural concomitant righteousness (cf. argument of
Rom. 4: 6, 7). This righteousness is entirely outside law and works. It begins and
ends (ek eis) with faith.
4. "FOR the wrath of God is revealed. . . . against all unrighteousness."--The
gospel reveals righteousness. The need for this is emphasized here by reason of
the other revelation--the wrath of God upon all unrighteousness.