Travels and Distractions

trying to get back to my routine…..

I did make a comment on a recent blogger post.

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Mike Ratliff

My comment……

Always look forward to your insightful detail reflection. True statement:

“To hear the “gospel” preached in many churches today, without knowing what we have looked at so far, one would never know that there is an eternal danger and a dire need for deliverance from destruction. Why do so many preachers refuse to preach it? They claim that it would be offensive. I have no tolerance for a “feel good gospel” for that is NOT the gospel.”

One can look closely at 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul leads with:

“1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;”

As well as when you read the verses that follow you can clearly see Paul and others following Jesus’ model of teaching/preaching which can be seen back in Luke 24:44+.

One last thought….Romans 1:16-17 is the essence of Paul’s letter to the Romans. A handful of years ago in my old age, I decided to switch the the old KJV, having never thought to pick it up. I have not regretted the decision. The KJV handles v16 magnificently, by putting Christ (which is in the majority Greek texts) back into the verse (or never leaving it out) and making is explicitly clear just what “gospel” is being spoken of. Can’t see it being any clearer than this:

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. KJV

Or if you prefer…

Romans 1:16 ου γαρ επαισχυνομαι το ευαγγελιον του χριστου δυναμις γαρ θεου εστιν εις σωτηριαν παντι τω πιστευοντι ιουδαιω τε πρωτον και ελληνι

As you mention there are 13 other times where both Greek words are for saviour and Christ are both used in the same verse. There is also an almost equal number of times where Paul uses the words gospel and Christ in the same verse. It helps having them connected, but I’m disappointed the newer translations leave it out of Rom 1:16.