Paul had a compulsion for Rome. He wanted nothing more than to go to Rome and repeat the success he experienced in Corinth, Macedonia, and Ephesus. Still, every time Paul would attempt to head to Rome, life would seem to intervene. So, Paul began the letter to the Romans to lay out his calling, His mission and the best picture of the gospel and the God of the gospel.
Paul wanted the people of Rome to know that they were called to faith as had been the other gentile churches. Paul, the Jew of Jews had been transformed by his encounter with the Lord and now was committed to the proposition that all people no matter their race, economic status or life place needed to know God and His heart for them. It seemed like the cards were stacked against His coming to Rome in Person, but He wanted to give the folks in Rome a clear picture of our Lord.
The Key is vs.; 16–“I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. We are “ALL” part of all Paul knew it then and we know it now. That is why we must adopt Paul’s sense of urgency as we tell others of the difference He has made in our lives. Who is our Rome? Neighbors, family, coworkers? Whoever they are, we need not be ashamed of the gospel of peace that is our Lord’s story.
God Bless You
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[d] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[f]
Walking With God 