(V. 11-17) [paraphrased from NLT] Paul longed to visit the people in Rome so he could give them a spiritual gift that would help them grow strong in the Lord. Paul wanted to encourage them in their faith, and he wanted them to encourage him.  He planned to visit them many times, but he was prevented. He wanted to work among them and see spiritual fruit, just as he had among other Gentiles. He had a great sense of obligation to educate all people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world. So he was eager to go to Rome to preach the good news. He wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because he knew it was the power of God to save everyone who believes.  It was for the  Israelite’s first, and then everyone else. The Good News tells us how God makes everyone right in His sight.  The Scriptures say that it is through faith that a righteous person has life. 

(V. 18-20) [Direct quotes from NLT]  “God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.  (19) They know the truth about God because he had made it obvious to them. (20) For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.  For they have no excuse for not knowing God.” 

I would love to hear others thoughts and comments.