Romans 1:16-32: The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

Rev. Jason Bredeson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Romans 1:16-32.

St. Paul declares he is not ashamed of the gospel, but what does that mean? Hearing the term “gospel” would have caused the Roman Christians to think of the emperor, but Paul uses the expression to redirect them to the true God-King, Jesus. Paul establishes the main thesis for this letter with a quote from Habakkuk: “The righteous shall live by faith.” But after proclaiming that salvation is for all people, his tone shifts as he turns his focus toward unrighteousness. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul points out the depravity of how sinful people have exchanged the truth of God and for their own carnal desires. He addresses homosexual behavior, but ends this section with a litany of sinful behavior everyone can identify with in some way.