Ashamed of the Gospel

  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."-Romans 1:16-17 

What a testimony! I am a debtor. I am eager. I am not ashamed. Now why would Paul even be tempted to be ashamed of the gospel as he planned his trip to Rome.
For one thing, the gospel was identified with a poor Jewish carpenter who was crucified. The Romans had no special appreciation for the Jews and crucifixion was the lowest form of execution given a criminal. Why put your faith in a Jew who as crucified?