1. The Power of the Gospel and the Meaning of “The Righteous Shall Live by Faith”
The Scripture passage that Pastor David Jang delivered at Gracia Church in San Francisco, based on Romans 1:16–17, centers on the key verse “the righteous shall live by faith.” This text deals in depth with the power of the gospel as presented in Romans, salvation, and the meaning of faith. Within Pastor David Jang’s pastoral perspective, this message is of great importance and is closely related to the recurring themes he has emphasized: the believer’s assurance of salvation and a gospel-centered life. Romans chapters 1 through 8 unfold the narrative of salvation brought about by the gospel, culminating in chapter 8. Yet, when viewed across the entirety of Romans, the most pivotal passage is actually Romans 1:16–17, and in particular, “the righteous shall live by faith” can be called both the central theme and the conclusion of Romans as a whole. It is an encapsulated declaration by Paul that reveals the essence of the salvation we obtain through the gospel and the posture in which we ought to live. Pastor David Jang also frequently cites this passage, continually stressing where our confidence and boldness in the gospel come from and on what foundation our faith must stand.
Before Paul reaches this core statement, in Romans 1:1–15 he provides a greeting to the Roman believers and offers an introductory background explaining why he desires to visit Rome. Starting at verse 16, where his main explanation begins, Paul boldly declares that he is “not ashamed of the gospel,” thus bringing to the forefront of his letter the power of salvation that the gospel carries. In the sentence, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” there is a condensed expression of the apostle’s bold proclamation to preach the gospel without wavering, even in the challenging reality of the Roman Empire, which made it difficult to maintain one’s faith. At that time, the city of Rome was the capital of a mighty empire boasting the greatest prosperity and dominance of its age, while many Christians living scattered in Rome fell into lower economic, social, and political classes. Indeed, both the Corinthian and Roman churches included numerous people of low social standing, little education, and no worldly credentials. Paul even describes himself and his coworkers in 1 Corinthians 4:13 as having become “the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world,” underscoring that the early Christian community was subjected to contempt, ridicule, and persecution from society.
Therefore, Paul’s declaration “I am not ashamed of the gospel” demonstrates that, despite knowing full well how the ruling class and worldly wise men of his time disregarded and mocked it, he believed it to be “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Pastor David Jang focuses on why the gospel inevitably appears foolish to the world’s powers or intellectuals of every era. As the apostolic declaration in 1 Corinthians 1:18 shows—“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”—the essence of the gospel operates on an entirely different plane from worldly pride or human merit. The world emphasizes power, wealth, scholarly knowledge, or personal achievements. Yet the gospel has a wholly different origin and purpose. It begins with the transcendent grace and love by which Jesus Christ died on the cross to save sinners and open the path of salvation to all. This is why Paul shouts in 1 Corinthians 1 to the wise and debaters of this age, “Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”—pointing out that human wisdom and effort alone cannot resolve the root of sin.
Pastor David Jang’s emphasis on faith in the gospel echoes this. He speaks of the gospel as “entirely grounded in God’s love and sovereign decision,” indicating that no matter how much a person tries to become righteous on their own, the limitation is clear. In the end, the only path for humanity is to “accept by faith the love and atoning work of Christ.” This faith is the key to being set free from the shackles of sin, and it forms the conviction that “those who are justified by faith will live forever.” No matter how powerful the Roman Empire may be, no matter how dazzling the values of the world appear, ultimately all remain under God’s judgment, and Paul was certain that only through the gospel could one attain salvation. This is precisely the spiritual basis behind the statement “I am not ashamed of the gospel.”
Continuing, in Romans 1:17 Paul states, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” This verse is pivotal not only for the entire book of Romans but also in New Testament theology as a whole. It shows that within the gospel resides “the righteousness of God,” which is not manifested by human deeds but established through God’s work of salvation—confirmed by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we well know, even the name “Jesus” conveys the meaning “God is salvation.” In other words, Jesus’s crucifixion is the unique means by which sinners can become righteous before God, and the gospel is the good news that this sacrificial death and resurrection opens the gift of salvation to anyone who believes.
Pastor David Jang particularly highlights Paul’s statement in Romans 3:21 and following that “a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known,” which informs us that human attempts at righteousness by keeping the law are doomed. Although people under the Old Testament could learn something of God’s standards and will through the Law, at the same time, they came to realize that they could never fulfill it perfectly in their own strength. Ultimately, the Law serves as a “mirror,” revealing the nature of sin and the weight of its penalty, leading to fear of death and judgment. But the gospel proclaims that Jesus on the cross fully bore this curse and punishment of the Law. Hence, a way has been opened for sinners to be “justified freely by His grace.” The instrument by which we hold on to this is “faith.” Faith here is not merely intellectual assent; rather, it includes entrusting one’s entire life to the merit of Jesus Christ and the decision to live in dedication to the salvation He has bestowed.
Additionally, “the righteous will live by faith” takes the prophetic declaration of Habakkuk 2:4—uttered in the midst of the Babylonian invasion and the impending downfall of the Kingdom of Judah, yet pointing to God’s protection and salvation of the faithful “remnant”—and extends it into the New Testament era. Just as the prophet Habakkuk cried out from the watchtower, “the righteous person will live by his faith,” Paul applies this Old Testament proclamation to the age of the gospel. Even though externally the world might seem doomed, heading toward judgment, and the imperial pressure could intensify persecution against the church, in the end, those who live by faith will be preserved to the end and receive the hope of eternal life. In this sense, the phrase “by faith alone” served as the unshakeable foundation of the church community’s assurance, as well as its anchor in times of tribulation.
For Paul, a “righteous person” is one who maintains a “right relationship” with God. The Common Bible Translation and others render “righteousness” as “a right relationship with God,” reflecting the same principle. After Adam’s fall, human nature became tainted by sin and subject to the law of death, alienating us from God. Hence, salvation is the restoration of that right relationship. Theologically, it is summarized by the term “justification by faith,” meaning “declared righteous by faith.” Accepting the cross of Jesus Christ is the decisive event that solves the issue of human sin, and Pastor David Jang strongly affirms that we must receive it by faith. This message does not concern individual salvation alone but also expands to include the reason for the church’s existence and its social responsibility. The phrase “the righteous will live by faith” implies that believers ought not simply enjoy forgiveness and the joy of salvation for themselves; rather, they must bear witness to the saving power of the gospel in the midst of this world. On the other hand, it clarifies that “we can never become righteous by our deeds,” because all people are weak and are sinners before God. In the end, the basis of our salvation lies in Christ’s righteousness and love, not in our own works.
Paul explains it succinctly in Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Examining the process by which humans receive salvation reveals that everything originates in God’s sovereign, active love, and that we do nothing but extend our hands to accept this gift. Neither circumcision and observance of the Law, which the Jews practiced, nor the wisdom and philosophical pursuits of the Greeks, nor the authority or glory of the Roman Empire could fundamentally resolve the problem of sin. Only Jesus, crucified and risen, has opened the path of salvation that reconciles sinners with God. Therefore, the gospel is without doubt “entirely an act of God’s unilateral grace,” and our task is to embrace that grace “by faith.”
What led Paul to so forcefully cry out that he is “not ashamed of the gospel” was the severe societal pressure facing the early Christians. Roman authorities regarded Christianity as a threat to the empire’s traditional religious system and emperor worship. The populace at large dismissed as absurd the idea of calling someone crucified—considered the shameful punishment of a criminal—a “God” or “Savior.” Consequently, gospel preachers had to endure ridicule and persecution. However, neither Paul nor Pastor David Jang harbored any doubt that the gospel alone is the one and powerful “way of life” extended to all. Pastor David Jang frequently emphasizes in his Sunday sermons and Bible teachings that a righteous person who lives by faith will never ultimately be put to shame. He explains that anyone who realizes deep in their heart that the gospel contains the “power of salvation” cannot help but feel pride in it.
Ultimately, the statement “the righteous will live by faith” marks both the starting point and the destination of faith. Paul’s phrase “from faith to faith” includes first grasping the work of salvation accomplished by the Lord on the cross “by faith,” and then passing on that faith to others so that the church community can continue to grow in faith. Faith is an individual decision, but it is also nurtured, circulated, and expanded within the church community. The holy blood of Christ that initiated the gospel was spread through the apostles, through countless believers over the centuries, and continues to this day through the work of faith. Pastor David Jang teaches that spreading the gospel must be accompanied by tangible love and dedication—“testimonies of life”—not merely verbal persuasion or doctrinal instruction. In other words, those who are saved through faith must act righteously in the world and live out the vitality that the gospel possesses. Through such a demonstration, faith begets more faith, from generation to generation, ensuring the gospel is continually proclaimed.
Moreover, the gospel, which Paul proclaims to be “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” is in no way limited to a select elite or a particular nation. Romans 1:16 continues, “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile,” clarifying that there is no discrimination in God’s saving grace. Though the work of salvation came first to the Jewish people as God’s chosen covenant community, it swiftly spread “to the Gentile,” meaning all other peoples. This highlights the inclusive capacity of the gospel as “salvation without distinction.” Pastor David Jang underscores that “before God, no race, social status, cultural background, or past wrongdoing can block salvation.” The only things that obstruct the gift of salvation are “rejecting the salvation offered by faith” out of stubbornness or pride, and “failing to repent or acknowledge one’s sin.”
In summary, the first subtopic’s key point is this: The power of the gospel declared in Romans 1:16–17 is an “eternal and almighty channel of salvation” that no earthly power or wisdom can replace, and it is indeed the “only hope” for those who have been justified by faith. Paul begins his exposition of Romans with the words “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” to implant a “spark of life” within a community scorned by the surrounding culture, that they would remain undeterred. And Pastor David Jang’s pastoral emphasis also aligns with this focus on the power of the gospel, the life of the righteous, and the value of faith. The statement “the righteous will live by faith” has been the central text not only in the past but also in the present and will remain so for the future church.
2. Living by Faith
Next, in the second subtopic, we will explore how the “power of the gospel” and “salvation by faith” underlined by Paul in Romans 1:16–17 can be connected to the day-to-day lives of the church and believers today. We will also examine this from Pastor David Jang’s pastoral viewpoint. In particular, from the front lines of mission work and various pastoral fields, Pastor Jang often speaks about what kind of life “the righteous person who lives by faith” should actually lead, and how this becomes a source of strength in tackling various modern societal challenges.
First, we need to consider how the “power of salvation” contained in the gospel should be manifested both within and beyond the church. As Paul says, the gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” So how does this gospel apply both to how believers treat one another in the church and how they relate to the world outside? Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the church must first and foremost establish its identity as “the community of those saved by faith.” It is not merely a gathering of people who share the same religious confession; rather, it is “an organic body of people who have received the forgiveness of sins through the cross of Christ, who accept, serve, and love one another.” If one is deeply aware that the forgiveness and love they have received is so tremendous and decisive, one can likewise freely forgive and love others without preconditions. Such an understanding must be firmly rooted in the heart of the community.
To achieve this, Pastor Jang teaches that “fellowship centered on the Word and prayer” is indispensable. If faith is to go beyond intellectual assent to a doctrinal statement and genuinely transform one’s life, it must be supported by the illumination of the Holy Spirit through the Word and through prayer. When a believer continues in the church without appreciating the grace of God, their faith may degenerate into a mere religious habit or formality. Conversely, if a believer reads the Word, listens to sermons, deeply meditates, and experiences God’s presence in prayer, they will come to understand that the gospel is truly “the power that makes me live.” A church community rooted in such faith will internally build up and comfort one another, and externally carry out its missionary calling by embracing the pain and suffering of the world.
Pastor David Jang also constantly stresses the point that “the gospel is life-giving power.” This life-giving power refers to the great biblical reversal “from death to life,” transcending mere bodily life-and-death to address the eternal fate of souls. When a church loses this vitality, faith quickly loses its power, leaving only a structured religious activity behind. Therefore, he argues that rather than focusing on outward elements like programs, service projects, or various ministries, the church must prioritize “holding on to the life-giving power of the gospel.” In particular, believers must continually keep in mind, “the righteous will live by faith,” anchoring both their personal spiritual life and the church’s corporate vitality in the gospel.
Meanwhile, living as a Christian in contemporary society involves many challenges. Faced with scientific and technological advances, materialism, relativistic value systems, and moral uncertainty, the church cannot simply be an “easy haven.” As Pastor David Jang repeatedly points out in sermons and seminars, believing in Jesus Christ entails “walking the way of the cross alongside Him,” and preaching “Christ crucified” is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, just as Paul experienced. This stands in stark contrast to the standards of the world. But for that very reason, the gospel offers a “new path.” The power of sacrifice and love, symbolized by the cross, differs qualitatively from worldly wisdom or power and transcends those limits by providing true restoration and hope to the human heart.
For example, contemporary problems such as isolation, alienation, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts cannot be solved merely by economic prosperity or the abundance of information. Rather, these psychological and emotional crises frequently stem from a more fundamental spiritual lack. Through his counseling ministry and healing gatherings, Pastor David Jang underscores the core truth of “true healing that only the gospel can offer.” When a person accepts the love of Jesus by faith and realizes that they are “a child of God” and “declared righteous,” they begin to develop a fundamental confidence in life and find renewed hope in the midst of despair. Human self-esteem cannot be grounded on one’s personal “achievements or success,” but on the realization of “who I am before God.” We recognize “how sinful I am,” while simultaneously learning “how vast is God’s love” that offered His one and only Son for a sinner like me. Only then can true restoration begin.
Pastor David Jang refers to this as “the personal application of the gospel.” It is not simply about understanding the theological doctrine that “we are saved from sin” or repeating slogans like “believe and go to heaven,” but rather having one’s inner being fundamentally transformed by the gospel, reshaping our human relationships and perspective on the world. As the soul is healed and re-established before God, the natural outcome is that we bear the fruit of the gospel in our daily lives—in our families, workplaces, schools, and society. A person previously filled with lust and selfishness becomes someone who loves and serves others; a heart once obsessed with money or power begins to care for neighbors with sacrificial concern. Ultimately, this is “the path of the righteous person who lives by faith.” Faith is not just a verbal confession; it involves concrete practice and results.
For Paul as well, faith does not mean the “absence of works.” Though works cannot save us, genuine faith produces good works. In the latter chapters of Romans (chapters 12–15), Paul provides detailed teaching on church ethics and virtues, how to relate to governing authorities, how to love one’s neighbor, and how to care for those who are weak—underscoring that true faith leads to tangible ethical conduct. The same principle is evident in Pastor David Jang’s pastoral philosophy. He encourages believers to hold firmly to the essence of the gospel, to follow the love and sacrifice shown by Jesus, and to fulfill the role of “the Good Samaritan” in their respective spheres of life. Therefore, proclaiming “I am not ashamed of the gospel” is not just a slogan shouted loudly within the church; rather, it is a declaration of commitment to live out truth and love in the heart of the world.
Moreover, the posture of “not being ashamed of the gospel” does not imply imposing Christianity on a pluralistic society in a dogmatic or aggressive way. Rather, the gospel, by its nature, is the “language of invitation and dedication,” for it is the power of deliverance from sin and the transition from death to life. Though the cross once symbolized shame and mockery, Jesus embraced that way willingly; thus we, who were sinners, can now share in eternal life and love. In spreading the gospel across diverse generations and cultural backgrounds, Pastor David Jang emphasizes the importance of “not compromising the power of love inherent in the gospel” while interacting with understanding and empathy. This means we must connect with the pain and circumstances of unbelievers, listen to them, and simply communicate the core message: “You and I are sinners, yet we have been forgiven through Jesus’s cross and have become new creations.”
Today’s church is sometimes criticized for growth-centric or materialistic priorities and for political bias that can tarnish the purity of the gospel. Just as Paul declared that God was pleased “to save those who believe through the foolishness of what was preached” (1 Corinthians 1:21)—sharing the gospel with both Jews and Gentiles—so should the church maintain a humble and serving attitude in its evangelism. Pastor David Jang urges the church not to chase after external recognition through its “size” or “financial prosperity,” but rather to focus on “how much the church resembles the cross” and on “how thoroughly it implements the gospel of salvation in real life.” Only then will “the righteous people who live by faith” be raised up within the church and become the salt and light of the world.
In conclusion, living by faith in today’s world means embodying the love of Christ’s cross and the power of His resurrection in everyday reality. This demands discernment of gospel truth through the Word and prayer, unity within the church community, and the humble practice of the way of Christ in society. Just as Paul reinterpreted the Old Testament phrase “the righteous will live by faith” in light of the New Testament gospel and boldly proclaimed it in the midst of the Roman Empire, Pastor David Jang likewise proclaims amid the whirlwind of modern civilization and values that “the gospel is our ultimate hope and truth.” And that gospel, he teaches repeatedly, is what changes our lives, renews the church, and opens the door of love and reconciliation to the world.
Therefore, Romans 1:16–17 is both the heart of Paul’s doctrine of salvation and the foundation of his teaching on the church and Christian ethics. Pastor David Jang unpacks this text through various sermons, publications, and expositions. He summarizes Paul’s key message as this: “Only those who live by faith can experience true freedom and life.” By the world’s standards, those who appear weak or foolish, or marginalized at the periphery of empire, can nonetheless partake in God’s saving work “through faith alone”—a fact that has provided encouragement and comfort to Christians from the early church to the present, while simultaneously endowing them with courage and a calling to engage the world.
History has shown that “no matter how splendid Rome was, it was not eternal.” However, the witness of the righteous who lived by faith has survived the two thousand years since, and is still alive in church history and in the lives of believers today. That is the “transcendent power” of the gospel. In worship, on the mission field, in pastoral counseling sessions, and in seminary classrooms, Pastor David Jang reinterprets and applies Paul’s powerful proclamation, guiding many Christians to embrace a steadfast “pride in the gospel.” Ultimately, in his pastoral philosophy, “living by faith” is our identity; if we have that faith, we will not lose hope in any adversity. This message endures across generations.
Even today, we encounter many forms of “the Roman Empire.” There is material abundance, technological advancement, and cultural pluralism—but also a moral chaos and spiritual emptiness beneath the surface. The church and believers still have the same task: to not be ashamed of the gospel, to boldly declare that it is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” and to prove it with their lives. Only when we hold onto it “by faith alone” do we walk the path from this earth to eternity, just as the prophet Habakkuk and the apostle Paul both declared—that we are “saved and not destroyed,” becoming heirs of the kingdom of God. According to Pastor David Jang, this is not just theoretical but something all believers can tangibly experience and enjoy through the power of the gospel.
Through these two subtopics, we have examined how Romans 1:16–17 explains the power of the gospel and the faith of the righteous. We reviewed how Paul, standing against the Roman Empire, began his epistle with the declaration “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” stressing the paramount significance of salvation, and highlighting that the cross of Jesus Christ embodies God’s righteousness. We then looked at how, through Pastor David Jang’s pastoral applications, modern churches and believers can practically live a life “by faith.” Ultimately, the proclamation “the righteous will live by faith” from Romans 1:16–17 has served as the citadel of faith from the era of the early church to the present. It is also the driving force behind personal salvation, the identity of the church community, and the church’s mission to serve the world. As Pastor David Jang reminds us, the gospel is never something to be ashamed of but rather something to boast in, the power that gives life, and the strength for the church to be salt and light in the world.