Romans 1:16-17

¹⁶I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹⁷For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

I am not ashamed

of the gospel

This particular passage provides a brilliant illustration of Paul's ability to KNOW the scriptures, most likely he had memorized the entire Old Testament. Therefore he was able to quote from it at will as he often did while writing from prison without access to a written copy.

He refers to Habakkuk 2:1-4

"I will stand at my guard post.

I will station myself on the wall.

I will watch to see what he will say to me,

and what answer I will get to my complaint.

Then the Lord answered me,

'Write the vision.

Make it clear on tablets

so that anyone can read it quickly.

The vision will still happen at the appointed time.

It hurries toward its goal.

I won't be a lie.

If it is delayed, wait for it.

I will certainly happen.

It won't be late.

Look at the proud person.

He is not right in himself.

But the righteous person

will live because of his faithfulness."

Simply put, the gospel shows us both how righteous God is in his plan for us to be saved, and also how we may be made fit for eternal life. From first to last, God declares us to be righteous because of faith and faith alone!