The gospel is only good news to those who know the bad news. In this passage, Paul unpacks the bad news that sinful insubordination leads to idolatry, which bears the ugly fruit of immorality revealing a kind of insanity culminating in all kinds of insurrection. This very bad news characterises human history. But like a diamond placed on a dark background, this very bad news reveals why Paul is not ashamed of the very good news of the gospel.