It was the study of Romans, in order to lecture upon the letter, that led Martin Luther to question the accepted understanding of the relationship between faith and righteousness, and it was these two verses, in particular, that brought Luther into conflict with his contemporaries.
Romans 1:16-17 is Paul's thesis statement, the idea that he will prove in his letter moving forward. Paul proclaims that the Gospel (the Good News about Jesus Christ) is the power of God on display for EVERYONE who believes. How? The Gospel combines both God's justice, for payment for sin is indeed necessary, and God's love/mercy/grace because that payment comes not form ourselves but through Jesus by faith in him.
It is not our righteousness that is revealed by the power of the Gospel, for we have none and that's the heart of the problem, but God's, which he has in abundance in the sinless life of Jesus Christ. Thus it is not the wonders of Creation that most reveals the power of God, but the willingness to die upon a Cross.
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