Paul is not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). We psychologize: Some might be embarrassed to preach a crucified Christ, but not Paul. He glories in the shame.
That’s true enough, but Paul’s emphasis lies elsewhere, according to Neil Elliott ( The Arrogance of Nations: Reading Romans in the Shadow of Empire (Paul in Critical Context) (Paul in Critical Contexts) 
In Scripture, shame is associated with defeat. Confident of God’s triumph, in the public history of Israel and the nations, Paul knows that he will not be ashamed. Like the Christ he serves, he will be vindicated.
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