Romans 1:16

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.

Cross-references

Romans 1:1 Related theme

Romans 1:1 introduces Paul's calling to the gospel—the same gospel he proclaims without shame.

Romans 10:17 explains that faith comes from hearing the gospel, showing the mechanism of its saving power.

Romans 4:11 Parallel

In Romans 4:11, Abraham is father of all who believe (Jew and Gentile) — grounding the universal scope of salvation in Romans 1:16 in the promise to Abraham.

Romans 2:9 Contrast

In Romans 2:9, the same phrase 'Jew first and also Greek' applies to judgment — contrasting with Romans 1:16 where it applies to salvation.

Romans 10:8 Related theme

Romans 10:8 defines the word of faith that brings salvation—the gospel message proclaimed with boldness.

Romans 3:29 Parallel

Romans 3:29 affirms God is God of both Jews and Gentiles—directly supporting the universal scope of salvation.

In Romans 15:19, Paul describes fully proclaiming the gospel — the active mission that flows from his unashamed stance here.

Romans 15:29 Related theme

In Romans 15:29, Paul expects to come with Christ's full blessing — the confidence that underlies his unashamed gospel proclamation.

In 1 Peter 4:16, believers are told not to be ashamed of suffering as Christians — directly parallel to not being ashamed of the gospel.

Psalm 40:9 Parallel

Psalm 40:9 declares the psalmist did not restrain his lips in proclaiming God's deliverance, matching Paul's 'not ashamed' boldness in Romans 1:16.

In 2 Timothy 1:8, Paul urges Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel — echoing his own stance in this verse.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, the word of God is accepted as such and works in believers — reinforcing Romans 1:16's claim that the gospel is God's powerful salvation.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, the gospel came 'in power' — directly echoing Romans 1:16's declaration that it is the power of God for salvation.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 describes the gospel as an aroma of life or death, illustrating the dual response to its power — saving some, condemning others.

1 Corinthians 15:2 states that believers are being saved by holding fast to the preached gospel, directly reinforcing the salvation theme of Romans 1:16.

1 Corinthians 1:18-24 explicitly calls the gospel 'the power of God' and contrasts its reception, directly echoing Romans 1:16.

Psalm 40:10 Parallel

Psalm 40:10 says the psalmist did not hide God's salvation but spoke it openly, directly paralleling Paul's refusal to be ashamed of the gospel.

Psalm 71:15 Parallel

Psalm 71:15 speaks of telling God's salvation all day long, reinforcing Paul's unashamed proclamation of the gospel as the power for salvation.

Psalm 119:46 vows to speak God's testimonies before kings without shame, the very same fearless stance Paul takes for the gospel in Romans 1:16.

Isaiah 53:1 Allusion

Isaiah 53:1 laments that few believe God's revealed arm — the same powerful gospel Paul declares, yet often rejected.

Luke 9:26 Contrast

In Luke 9:26, being ashamed of Jesus brings shame at judgment — the opposite of Paul's bold declaration here.

Mark 8:38 Contrast

Mark 8:38 warns against being ashamed of Christ, providing the negative contrast to Paul's positive declaration 'I am not ashamed of the gospel'.

Acts 20:21 Parallel

Acts 20:21 records Paul's testimony to repentance and faith for Jews and Greeks—echoing the same audience for the gospel.

Ephesians 1:19 Related theme

In Ephesians 1:19, the immeasurable power toward believers echoes the gospel as God's power for salvation.

Galatians 6:14 Related theme

In Galatians 6:14, Paul's boast in the cross mirrors his unashamed attitude toward the gospel as God's power.

In Galatians 3:28, the erasure of Jew/Greek distinctions directly echoes the gospel's universal reach—for Jew and Greek alike.

Acts 13:26 Related theme

Acts 13:26 echoes 'the message of this salvation' sent to both Jews and God-fearers, matching Paul's 'salvation to everyone who believes'.

Acts 13:46 Parallel

Acts 13:46 shows Paul prioritizing Jews first then turning to Gentiles, directly reflecting the order in Romans 1:16.

In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul is not ashamed despite suffering, trusting God to guard his deposit — expanding the confidence behind this verse.

Isaiah 51:5 Parallel

Isaiah 51:5 declares God's salvation reaching the coastlands, paralleling Paul's gospel as salvation for all nations.

2 Corinthians 4:4 Related theme

2 Corinthians 4:4 reveals that the gospel is veiled to unbelievers by Satan, contrasting with those who believe and receive salvation.

Acts 16:32 Parallel

Acts 16:32 shows the gospel bringing salvation to a Gentile household—illustrating its power for all who believe.

Galatians 1:7 warns of a perverted gospel, contrasting with the true gospel Paul is not ashamed to preach.

Acts 11:14 Parallel

Acts 11:14 shows the message of salvation coming to Cornelius' household, demonstrating the gospel's power for salvation to Gentiles.

Ephesians 1:13 Related theme

In Ephesians 1:13, belief in the gospel leads to sealing with the Spirit—fulfilling the salvation promised in the gospel.

Isaiah 50:7 Allusion

Isaiah 50:7 expresses the servant's resolve not to be disgraced, echoing Paul's refusal to be ashamed of the gospel.

Acts 19:10 Parallel

Acts 19:10 describes all Jews and Greeks hearing the word—fulfilling the gospel's reach to both groups.

Luke 2:10 Parallel

In Luke 2:10, the angel announces good news of great joy for all people — the same universal gospel Paul is not ashamed of.

In Hebrews 4:12, God's word is 'living and active' — a complementary description of the same power Paul calls the gospel's power for salvation in Romans 1:16.

In 2 Timothy 1:16, Onesiphorus is not ashamed of Paul's chains — a concrete example of the boldness declared here.

Acts 14:1 Parallel

Acts 14:1 shows both Jews and Greeks believing in Iconium, illustrating the gospel's power for salvation to all.

In Colossians 1:6, the gospel's worldwide fruitfulness mirrors Romans 1:16's universal scope — power for salvation to everyone.

In 2 Corinthians 10:14, Paul's reaching the Corinthians with the gospel exemplifies the 'to the Greek' aspect of the gospel's reach.

Acts 5:42 Parallel

Acts 5:42 shows the apostles preaching boldly daily, mirroring Paul's refusal to be ashamed of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:20 Related theme

In 1 Corinthians 4:20, the kingdom's power—not words—echoes that the gospel itself is God's power for salvation.

1 Corinthians 2:4 Related theme

1 Corinthians 2:4 emphasizes that Paul's ministry relied on the Spirit's power, not human wisdom, consistent with the gospel's divine power.

In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul focuses only on Christ crucified — the core of the gospel he is not ashamed to proclaim.