Paul was "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" (Rom 1:16). Yet this Gospel was a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles (1 Cor 1:23). The religious people and the intellectuals of Paul's day were no different than they are today! To them it was foolish, stupid, absurd, to present to the world a Saviour who was "crucified through weakness" (2 Cor 13:4).
Was Paul intimidated by this? Not at all. At Rome there were those who felt that Paul's Gospel was OK for the provinces - but it would never make any impact in the great city of Rome. Paul however had every confidence in his message. Why? Because it is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth"! That which differentiates the Gospel of Christ from all the ideologies of men is it's inherent Power!
Thank God, there is not a soul under heaven and out of hell whose life and destiny cannot be transformed by faith in Christ. Let us have confidence to spread this good news in whatever way we can. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good" (Eccl 11:6).
