Morning Message: Patient Continuance

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Patient Continuance"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Paul’s second chapter of Romans brings home a point that God wants us to recognize, and have it lay in our hearts permanently. God’s overriding law of love can guide our treatment of others, whether they are believers, or not. We all have common ground, as all are born into this world as sinners, because we are descended from Adam.

But because we have found Christ and become believers, God’s love for us should foster the same from us towards others, for as long as we are alive on Earth, we are as susceptible to sin as anyone.

As always, to read this chapter here shows how important it is, just as the Holy Spirit moves the Apostle Matthew to dedicate all of his Chapter 7 to it. Its inclusion in two Books of the Bible reveals its true importance. Both Apostles are moved by the Holy Spirit to write on this topic, and it underscores the will of the Father for His children.

Repetition in the Bible always gives us insight into the will, the mind and heart of God. As today’s teaching follows Romans 1, it becomes clear that there are issues in Rome that are identical to those in Jerusalem, so Gentiles and Jews alike are both guilty.

Love draws people in, while condemnation drives people away, and all need salvation. Humans identify levels of sin, God does not. To our God, all sin is an abomination, every sin is unacceptable. He wants His message of loving one another to be of primary importance in his message to the lost, or those susceptible to temptation and to the saved that are still susceptible to Satan’s temptations. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Romans 2:1-16 - "Patient Continuance"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In Romans 1:18-32 the apostle Paul paints a striking picture of evil, debauched men and women. They've abandoned God and God abandons them to the consequences of their own sin.

However, at the end of Romans 1 a very important question remains unanswered: what about good people? What about those who aren't murderers, liars, thieves, fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals? Where do the people fit who haven't abandoned all sense of right and wrong?

We learn that good is never good enough!  The gospel is for everyone without exception. If the good news of God’s saving righteousness in Jesus Christ is for everyone, then the bad news that all stand under condemnation apart from God’s righteousness is also for everyone.

In this world are people who do not appear to be idolatrous or sinful--they may even identify with the true religion. In Paul's day they were the Jews. In our day they are professing Christians who want to uphold the moral standards of Scripture. But those who are not true believers are unable to maintain an external moral value system because they cannot restrain their own sinfulness. In essence they cover their darkened hearts with cloaks of light.

In Romans 2 Paul exposes the moralist. The moralist agrees with Paul's condemnation of the idolaters in chapter 1 because he sees himself as better and therefore uncondemned. But that produces a false sense of security. In Romans 3:19 Paul says, "We know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." A person understands the Christian gospel only when he understands he is guilty before God--whether immoral (chapter 1) or moral (chapter 2), whether Gentile (chapter 1) or Jew (chapter 2).

As we begin our study of Romans 2, we need to focus on this thought: mankind does not accept God’s assessment of human sin and the imperative of divine judgment. This is not to say that men will not admit they are sinners. It is very easy to get a non-Christian to agree that he is a sinner (“nobody’s perfect”), but it is almost impossible to get him to realize the gravity of his sin. Typically, he has no trouble agreeing that those who are guilty of “big sins” like murder and rape and treason deserve judgment—even death. However, that God’s wrath should fall on those guilty of such “lesser sins” as envy or arrogance does not seem quite right to them.

Most people do not take God’s word about sin and judgment seriously, but rather reject it and replace it with their own ad hominem reasoning... “Nobody’s perfect!”  “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Such thinking suggests that since we are human, we are under some moral obligation to sin, and that God is under moral obligation to forgive us. "Everyone is doing it; it is not so bad—as long as we do not commit the “biggies” we will be okay"—is the assumption that God does not mean what he says. The eternal fact is, God means what he says and says what he means.

God's judgment, despite moralisms to the contrary, is perfect. That is what Romans 2:1–16 is all about. As we come to understand (or reaffirm our understanding) of the perfection of God’s judgment, we will bring health to our souls. For those of us who are believers, this will drive us toward a greater authenticity in life—and thus spiritual power. For the non-Christian, there will be strong encouragement to face fundamental issues about oneself and God.

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Inexcusable (2:1) - Without excuse.  Both Jews and moral Gentiles who think they are exempt from God's judgment because they have not indulged in the immoral excesses described in chapter 1, are tragically mistaken.  They have more knowledge than the immoral pagan (3:2; 9:4) and thus a greater accountability (cf. Hebrews 10:26-29; James 3:1). 

Condemn Yourself (2:1) - Whoever has sufficient knowledge to judge others condemns himself because he has the knowledge to evaluate his own condition and doesn't.  Overlooking their own sins they become self-righteous.  Romans 3:10, "There is none righteous, no not one."

Despise (2:4) - Literally, to think down on someone or something. 

Goodness (2:4) - “The goodness of God” simply refers to His kindness. Also known as "common grace," or the undeserved goodness of God toward sinners.

Forbearance (2:4) - a patient holding back, or a delay of punishment/judgment. In this verse, it represents a suspense of wrath which must eventually be exercised unless the sinner accepts God's conditions.

Longsuffering (2:4) - The duration for which God demonstrates His goodness and forbearance - long periods of time. 

Repentance (2:4) - The act of turning from sin to Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

Hardness (2:5) - A hardening of the heart. Here the danger is not physical but spiritual. 

(See: Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 19:8; Mark 3:5; 6:52; 8:17; John 12:40; Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7).

Impenitent Heart - A refusal to repent and accept God's pardon of sin through Jesus Christ.

Treasuring Up...Wrath (2:5) - Those who reject God's offer of forgiveness and cling to sin accumulate more of God's wrath and will earn a more severe judgment.

Day of Wrath/Judgment (2:5) - The final judgment of wicked men that comes at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium.

In verses 6-10, Paul describes the deeds of two distinct groups:  the redeemed (verses 7,10) and the unredeemed (verses 8, 9). Although Scripture everywhere teaches that salvation is NOT on the basis of works, it consistently teaches that God's judgment is always on the basis of a person's deeds (Isaiah 3:10, 11; Jeremiah 17:10; John 5:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-9).   The deeds of the redeemed are not the basis of their salvation, but the evidence of it.  They are not perfect and are prone to sin, but there is undeniable evidence of righteousness in their lives.

Eternal Life (2:7) - Not just in duration, but also in quality.  Eternal life is a kind of life, the holy life of the eternal God given to believers.

The Jew First (2:9) - The Jews, as God's chosen people, were given the first opportunity to hear the gospel, and Paul always sought to apply this principle.  By the same token, they were to receive the first and most sever judgment, because of the greater light they had received (Luke 12:47, 48) when they rejected the gospel.

Respect of Persons (2:11) - no partiality, or preference given to someone simply because of his position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance.  God's nature is to be just; it is impossible for Him to be anything but impartial.   

Without Law (2:12) - The Gentiles who never had the opportunity to know God's moral law (Exodus 20:1) will be judged on their disobedience in relationship to their limited knowledge.  

Judged by the Law (2:12) - The Jews, and many Gentiles who had access to God's moral law will be accountable for their greater knowledge (Matthew 11:20-23; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31). 

By Nature (2:14) - Without knowing the written Law of God, people in pagan society generally value and attempt to practice its most basic tenets.  This is normal for cultures instinctively value justice, honesty, compassion, and goodness toward others, reflecting the divine law written in the heart. 

Law to Themselves (2:14) - Practice of some good deeds and their aversion to some evil ones demonstrate an innate knowledge of God's Law.

Conscience (2:15) - Literally, "with knowledge." That instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated.  God has designed us with an internal warning system that activates whenever we choose to ignore or disobeys His law.  Repeatedly ignoring the warnings of the conscience desensitizes it and eventually silences it (1 Timothy 4:2). 

Morning Message: The Road to Idolatry

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Road to Idolatry"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), Paul continues to lay out the foundations for Living By Faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul had seen many things in his life, even as a Jew. Born in Tarsus in Asia, he was surrounded by Gentiles, and all the false gods that they worshiped. The Spirit led him to the conclusion that to reject Jehovah is to open one’s self to the worship of anything else but Jehovah. Heathen Gentiles made gods of anything they liked in God’s Creation! And I wish to not offend anyone here, but sex, drugs, and rock & roll are not a 20th Century phenomenon! It has almost always been wine, women, and song; in excess, the lures of ungodliness. God’s gifts corrupted into sin. Paul understood that to deny the God Who designed us leads to a life of idolatry. The practices of idolatry were all fleshly, and led many into a wide variety of sexualized worship practices, as was the case with goddess Dianah of the Ephesians.

That is living in the flesh, rather than living by faith in Christ Jesus. It is not unlike the promotion of open sexuality in many nations, including our own from the 1950’s and ‘60’s, and 70’s, to our days today. By Paul’s thinking, we must conclude that our nation is surely no longer a Christian nation, because our society exhibits all the symptoms and habits of a God rejecting country. To reject God’s righteousness and holiness, is to reject Him, because they define Him.

But among our citizens, there are pockets of God’s faithful. Christianity is still popular; “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20).

From Hebrews 11:16 -

“But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” - Hebrews 11:16

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message

Romans 1:18-32 - "The Road to Idolatry"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Romans 1 is the opening chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. After introducing himself as the preacher of the good news of God (verse 1), Paul tells of the promise (verse 2) and the Person (verses 3-4 of the good news.  This chapter introduces the key themes of the Gospel, righteousness, faith, and the wrath of God against sin. Paul writes to believers in Rome, expressing his longing to visit them and share in their faith.

This week, we are looking at verses 18-32 of Romans chapter 1.  The title of this morning's message is, "The Road to Idolatry."  

Idolatry is worshipping something other than the True GOD in the True Way (Leviticus 19:4). Idolatry is the product of rebellion, not confusion. While hearts and minds darkened by sin can’t find God on their own apart from His Word, the apostle Paul makes it clear that the root of idolatry is man’s rejection of creation’s testimony to its Creator.

Paul asserts that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. He emphasizes that the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel, a righteousness that is by faith.

Paul then launches into an explanation of why God is right to condemn humanity in the first place. Why do we need salvation? What do we need to be saved from? Paul describes a downward progression for unrighteous humanity; this includes all of us by our very nature. It begins with refusing to see in creation what God has made knowable about Himself by what He has made. Sinful humans do not want to see, and do not want others to recognize, God's eternal power or divine nature from what He has made (Romans 1:18–20).

God testifies through Paul that all people have evidence of God, and what their physical senses can perceive of Him, their inner senses can understand to some extent.  All men know something and understand something of the reality and the truth of God.  They are therefore responsible for a proper response to that revelation.  Any wrong response is "inexcusable."  God has made Himself known to all people everywhere in the marvels of nature and in the human conscience, which is able to distinguish right from wrong.  Because this knowledge is universal and continuous, by it God has displayed His glory to everyone.

Paul describes the character of fallen man.  He gives four reasons why everyone is born under God's wrath and condemnation.  The first two reasons are God's revelation and man's rejection, the third and fourth reasons are man's rationalization (justifying of sin) and practice of sin (man's religion).

Having rejected God as Creator, we also refuse to give Him thanks as our provider. We congratulate ourselves for our wisdom in seeing the world without God in it and, instead, become fools, unable to understand the basic truths of the universe because we have eliminated the possibility that God is the source of it all. Our hearts become darker and darker (Romans 1:21–22).

Next, we begin to worship what God has made instead of Him. We create lesser versions of His creation and worship them, further alienating and insulting Him. In response, God expresses His wrath on humanity in a surprising way: He is said to give us over to the unchecked expression of our sinful desires. Paul first mentions our full indulgence, at God's "giving over," of our sexual desires with and against each other, dishonoring the bodies He has made and given to us. Next, He gives us over to the indulgence of sexual desire in homosexual relationships, as women and men become consumed with passion for people of their own gender (Romans 1:23–27).

Finally, since we continue to refuse to acknowledge God, He gives us up to debased minds, resulting in our indulgence in every kind of sin imaginable. Paul concludes the chapter with a list of such sins. Few people are likely guilty of all of these sins, but all of us are guilty of some of them. We are all slaves to our sin and in need of salvation from the wrath of God in judgment against us (Romans 1:28–32).

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Wrath of God (1:18) - Not a capricious, impulsive, arbitrary outburst of anger, but the settled determined response of a Holy God against sin. Wrath is defined as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice,” often translated as “anger,” “indignation,” “vexation,” or “irritation.” Both humans and God express wrath. But there is vast difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man. God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s is never holy and rarely justified.

Manifest in Them (1:19) - God's sovereignly implanted evidence of His own existence in the heart of every person.

From the Creation (1:20) - That is, from the very time of Creation, men should have seen the evidence of God's existence and His work in the marvelous universe which He had created. 

Things That Are Made (1:20) - The phrase "things that are made" is one word, poiema, in the Greek, a word used elsewhere only in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship."  God has written two poetic masterpieces, as it were, one in the physical creation, one in the lives of men and women redeemed and saved by His grace (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8).  Both give eloquent testimony to the eternal power and Godhead of the Creator/Redeemer.

Eternal Power (1:20) - It is God's eternal power which is evident in the cosmos, the power which created it, not just the power which sustains it once it has been created. 

Godhead (1:20) - The "Godhead" refers to the divine Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God manifest in three Persons.  The word itself does not mean "trinity," but simply "Godhood" - that is, the nature of God, God as he has revealed Himself.  He has revealed Himself as a triune God.  He is One God (Deuteronomy 6:4; James 2:19), invisible, omnipresent Father, and approachable Son, and also as indwelling, guiding Spirit.  

Without Excuse (1:20) - literally means without an apologetic, or without a defense.

Although They Knew God (1:21) - Every person is conscious of God's existence, power, and divine nature through general revelation. General revelation refers to the general truths that can be known about God through nature. In regard to general revelation, Psalm 19:1-4 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” According to this passage, God’s existence and power can be clearly seen through observing the universe. The order, intricacy, and wonder of creation speak to the existence of a powerful and glorious Creator.

Glorify (1:21) - To honor Him with praise and worship; We were created for no other reason than to exalt God, the failure or refusal to do so is the ultimate affront to our Creator. When we glorify Him, we acknowledge His greatness and splendor and laud Him for it. When we “give Him glory,” as all the world is told to do in Revelation 14:7, we direct our praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and worship to Him who alone is worthy.

Changed the Glory...Into an Image (1:23) - In other words the worship of idols. They could have had a relationship with their Creator; instead, they exchanged “the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:23).

Became Fools (1:22) - someone who disregards God’s Word. The ultimate description of a fool is one who “says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).

Gave them up (1:24, 26) - God gave them over to impurity to fulfill the lusts of their hearts, to the dishonor even of their own bodies.

Gave them over (1:28) - God gave them over further to degrading passions (Romans 1:26–27) and to depraved minds (Romans 1:28–29) because they did not see fit to acknowledge Him. Rather than acknowledge and thank their Creator, they exchanged the truth for a lie and chose to worship anything and everything else.

The Lie (1:25) - The denying of God's existence.

Vile Passions (1:26) - Disgraceful or degrading perversions (for example, in this context, homosexuality).

Morning Message: Living by Faith

Bobservations Column

Titled - "Living by Faith"

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

As we begin the Epistle of Paul to the Romans today, we must acknowledge that it is a letter to The Church in Rome. Written about 60 A.D., it is a Christian Church in its infant form during the Roman Empire. Later on, the church would grow in its influence and administration. Then 1,000 years after this letter, pride had entered into the Church, and the first split in the Church occurred. The Latin Rite became the Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern Rite grew into the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church. (The Great Schism of 1054 A.D.). Apostolic Succession ceased because human pride got in the way, though the Vatican denies it even today.

Back to this Epistle: Paul is writing to an infant Church; to Baby Christians. It’s rather remarkable that there were those in Rome who were followers of Jesus Christ. Among unnamed others, Paul’s co-laborers and helpers, Aquila and his wife Priscilla had gone to Rome to spread the Gospel. During this time the Caesars were in power, and they were persecuting anyone who would not bow down to them as gods.

Previously from Italy, but born Jews in Pontus (Asia Minor), Aquila and Priscilla met Paul in Corinth, and he lived with them. All three were tent makers (Acts 18:3). Can you imagine the conversations Paul had with them as they worked side-by-side in their craft? How effectual is the hand of God to pair us with like-minded, and like skilled people: Jewish tent makers in a distant Greek city. Paul identifies them as his “helpers in Christ Jesus,” (A humble accolade to them in Romans 16:3,4).

This Epistle is written from Corinth between Paul’s second and third visit to that City. It is advanced notice of Paul’s plans to come to Rome. Living by faith is having faith in Christ Jesus, and placing our trust in Him, regardless of our immediate circumstances, and giving Him reign over our lives to fulfill His promises.

For those in Rome, this was something they could hold onto, for each Caesar that ruled over them seemed more eccentric and unstable than the previous one. Christians in Rome were able to submit to a faithful King who provided them with hope for a better life in Eternity.

2 Corinthians 5:7 - 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight:”

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Romans 1:1-17 - "Living by Faith"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Introduction: The letter to the Romans stands as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Scriptures. Paul began by discussing that which is most easily observable in the world—the sinfulness of all humanity. All people have been condemned due to our rebellion against God. However, God in His grace offers us justification by faith in His Son, Jesus. When we are justified by God, we receive redemption, or salvation, because Christ’s blood covers our sin. But Paul made it clear that the believer’s pursuit of God doesn’t stop with salvation; it continues as each of us is sanctified—made holy—as we persist in following Him. Paul’s treatment of these issues offers a logical and complete presentation of how a person can be saved from the penalty and power of his or her sin.

Rome was the capital and most important city of the Roman Empire. It was founded in 753 B.C. but is not mentioned in Scripture until NT times. Rome is located along the banks of the Tiber River, about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Until an artificial harbor was built at nearby Ostia, Rome’s main harbor was Puteoli, some 150 miles away. In Paul’s day, the city had a population of over one million people, many of whom were slaves. Rome boasted magnificent buildings, such as the emperor’s palace, the Circus Maximus, and the Forum, but its beauty was marred by the slums in which so many lived. According to tradition, Paul was martyred outside Rome on the Ostian Way during Nero’s reign (A.D. 54–68).

Some of those converted on the Day of Pentecost probably founded the church at Rome (cf. Acts 2:10). Paul had long sought to visit the Roman church, but had been prevented from doing so (1:13). In God’s providence, Paul’s inability to visit Rome gave the world this inspired masterpiece of gospel doctrine.

Paul’s primary purpose in writing Romans was to teach the great truths of the gospel of grace to believers who had never received apostolic instruction. The letter also introduced him to a church where he was personally unknown, but hoped to visit soon for several important reasons: to edify the believers (1:11); to preach the gospel (1:15); and to get to know the Roman Christians, so they could encourage him (1:12; 15:32), better pray for him (15:30), and help him with his planned ministry in Spain (15:28).

Unlike some of Paul’s other epistles (e.g., 1, 2 Cor., Gal.), his purpose for writing was not to correct aberrant theology or rebuke ungodly living. The Roman church was doctrinally sound, but, like all churches, it was in need of the rich doctrinal and practical instruction this letter provides.

Summary of Chapter 1:

In Romans 1, Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome is a thorough and clear presentation of the gospel, or "good news," about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul identifies himself as both a servant of Jesus and an apostle, representing Christ's authority and message to others.

Paul interrupts his own greeting to jump into an explanation of the gospel. It is his Christ-given mission in life, to tell everyone he can that Jesus is the Son of God, as well as the direct descendant of King David. In short, He is the Messiah who was raised from the dead (Romans 1:1–7).

Paul reveals to the Roman Christians how urgently he wants to travel to Rome to see them. In fact, he prays continually that it will be God's will for him to come. He wants to give them a spiritual gift and for there to be mutual encouragement in the faith. Also, since Paul's mission in life is to preach the gospel to all people groups, he is eager to come and preach in the multicultural metropolis of Rome (Romans 1:8–15).

Paul reveals the key purpose of his letter by declaring that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He insists that it is God's power for salvation for everyone who believes, including both Jews and Gentiles. The only way to be made righteous by God, to be welcomed into His family, starts and ends with faith (Romans 1:16–17).

Sunday Morning Audio Message: Uploaded Sunday Afternoon!

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Paul (1:1) - Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.  Notice he uses his Gentile name, Paul (from a Latin word meaning "little"), instead of his Hebrew name, Saul, as the very first word in every one of his epistles, with the possible exception of Hebrews. 

Bondservant (1:1) - This word is the Greek word for servant or slave, but given a Hebrew sense here by Paul to imply willing service for a beloved, respected master.

Separated Unto (1:1) - Paul had been set apart (that is, specially selected) by God for his ministry to the Gentiles.

Gospel of God (1:1) - The word gospel means "good news." The gospel comes to us from God. Paul did not make it up. God originated the gospel. And the gospel is all about God. It tells us how we can be rightly related to Him through His eternal Son, whom He sent.

He Had Promised Afore (1:2) - Paul began his letter by stressing that the gospel was not some new religion, but was the prophetic fulfillment of the promises given in God's Holy Scriptures from the beginning.

Declared (1:4) - Literally, "to distinguish, or mark off," this is the Greek word from which the English word "horizon" comes; as the horizon marks clearly the boundary between earth and sky, the resurrection marks Christ as the Son of God come in the flesh. 

Resurrection of the Dead (1:4) - The power to defeat death and rise again is beyond all human ability.  Only the Creator of life, the God who imposed death as the penalty for sin, could defeat death.  Christ's bodily resurrection, supported historically as it is by "many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3), is the crowning proof that He is, indeed, the eternal and unique Son of God.

Obedience to the Faith (1:5) - True saving faith always produces obedience and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Serve With My Spirit (1:9) - The word translated "serve" can also be translated "worship."

Spiritual Gift (1:11) - The Greek word for "gift" is charisma, meaning a "gift of grace," a divine enablement.

But Was Let Hitherto (1:13) - "Let" is an old word meaning "delayed."

Debtor (1:14) - Under obligation to fulfill his ministry because of God's calling and the Gentiles' great need.

Barbarians (1:14) Those who used the Greek languages called those who could not use the Greek or Latin Barbarians.  Greek and Latin were considered the languages of cultured people.

Power of God (1:16) - There are six Greek words translated "power." This Greek word used in this verse is dunamis, meaning "effective ability to accomplish an intended purpose."  The gospel proclaims and produces salvation in everyone who believes it.

Salvation (1:16) - Deliverance or rescue, in this case from lostness - that is, separation from God.

Believes (1:16) - Trusts, relies on, or has faith in.

To the Jew First (1:16) - Salvation has no national, racial, or ethnic barrier but is given to every person who believes.  To the Jew first chronologically because Jews are God's specially chosen people, through whom He ordained salvation to come (John 4:22).  The Messiah came first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24).

As it is Written (1:17) - The quotation is from Habakkuk 2:4, also quoted in Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38.  Salvation by His grace working through man's faith was always God's plan, as Paul here implies in quoting from Habakkuk.