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.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 2 Tim 1:8

Paul brings up this thought of not being ashamed of the Gospel twice in his writings. He gives his thoughts around the fact that 1) he is not ashamed of the Gospel, and 2) he encourages others to not be ashamed as well. When we think about the Gospel, perhaps we wonder why Paul would have said that. We cling to the Gospel of Jesus Christ like Ruth clave to Naomi and, generally speaking, maybe the thought of being ashamed of the Gospel never crosses our minds. But Paul isn’t issuing a blanket statement on being ashamed (or rather NOT being ashamed) of the Gospel outside of particular context. And, that context is different in these two places.

In Romans, Paul is dealing with his desire to go to Rome and preach the Gospel. The Roman church is made up of both Jews and Gentiles. As we know and understand through various places in scripture, many Jews were not please with the Gentiles being ministered to. This caused issues between Paul and Peter and was greatly debated in the church at Jerusalem. But Paul was relentless in his ministry to both Jew and Greek! Paul even says earlier in Romans 1 that he is a debtor to BOTH Jew and Greek. He found no shame in that because of the power of God in the preaching of the Gospel saves those in the here and now who hear it, believe it, and stand in it! So, Paul says he’s not ashamed of the Gospel whether he preaches it to Jews or Greeks or both at the same time.

Would you not like to feel that the Lord spoke to you and said, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." This lesson is about serving one another and being happy in the Lord. The only way that true happiness comes to a child of grace is through your obedience to your Lord and your Master.

It is my desire as a pastor that we could all have that happiness in submitting ourselves to one another, realizing that when we do this, we are submitting ourselves unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2 Timothy, Paul is dealing with Timothy going through trouble and strife. Paul is encouraging Timothy in his ministry to stand firm in the Gospel in spite of fear and turmoil. Paul is saying,“Timothy, the Gospel is worth every pain, every sorrow, every strife, every tribulation. The Gospel is worth all of that and more!"

In both cases, Paul gives absolute reasoning as to what he isn’t, and we shouldn’t be, ashamed of the Gospel.

In Romans, he says that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, regardless of your natural heritage. Given that it IS the power unto salvation, then there should never be shame in the Gospel! Paul says the righteousness of God is revealed in the preaching of the Gospel!

In Timothy, he says that Christ Himself is the reason why he is not ashamed:

“Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: or I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:11-12

Paul declares that he has committed everything to the One whom he has believed, and that alone is reason enough to not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! Paul already stated in verses 9-10 that Jesus gave His all for US, and then turns around and says that we should give OUR all to HIM!

This Gospel has been committed to our trust! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is worth our everything being committed to it...committed to HIM! The Gospel is worth it all the time!