What does salvation mean in Romans 1:16?
In Romans 1:16, salvation means the power of God unto salvation—an all-inclusive word. It is the way into glory and deliverance from eternal doom, yet more than that: a lifestyle. Believing brings new life out of sin's deadness, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification.
Les explains that Romans 1:16 calls salvation the power of God unto salvation, an all-inclusive word. It is God's way into glory and a salvation that saves from eternal doom, but it is more than that—it is a lifestyle. He describes how an individual in the cesspool of sin and the old slave market has no hope unless the power of God takes him out, pulls him out of deadness in sin, gives him new life, forgives him, sanctifies him, and glorifies him. That is what believing does. The new believer becomes a totally different person in outlook and desires, not by working for it; it comes. Les compares the Christian life to physical life: a babe in Christ needs care, nourishment, and protection, and God expects growth in grace, knowledge, and wisdom. A true born-again child of God will also be a good citizen.