Common misinterpretations include seeing 'to the Jew first, and also to the Greek' as implying ethnic superiority or exclusive priority in salvation for Jews, whereas it denotes the historical sequence of gospel proclamation starting with Israel before extending universally; or reducing the gospel's 'power of God unto salvation' to mere inspirational words or human effort rather than God's supernatural, faith-activated dynamic for deliverance; or inferring Paul struggled with personal shame, which misconstrues his declarative confidence as hesitant apology.
Romans 1:16
King James Version (1769)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Paul expresses unwavering boldness in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, revealing it as the divine power that brings salvation to every person who believes, regardless of background—first to the Jews, who received God's covenants and law historically, and also to Gentiles, underscoring faith as the sole requirement for redemption and the gospel's universal efficacy in transforming lives through God's might.