“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed —a righteousness that is by faith from first to last…” (Rom. 1:16, 17)
Shame is a strong inhibitor. It can inhibit the willingness to act; or the desire to say something. Shame keeps people in hiding…in darkness…undercover…away from other people (John 4:6, 7).
The opposite of shame is confidence…or boldness. Paul could have said, “I am confident in the gospel, because it is the power of God…”
Using the opposite, Paul speaks to those that may be ashamed, in this context, ashamed of sharing the gospel – the good news.
When it comes to God, there is nothing to be ashamed of. In God’s economy, everything is done in the broad light…for the benefit of “the many”.
God always brings order to chaos and light into darkness. Jesus came into the world as the light to expose the works of darkness (John 3:19ff).
The ever-standing promise is, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame” (Romans 10:11).
“Why wasn’t Paul ashamed of the gospel?” Paul wasn’t ashamed of the gospel because it is (still is) the power of God unto salvation.