Romans 16:25-27… Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

There is a notable relationship between these last three verses of Romans and the first eleven. In 16:25 Paul speaks of “Him who is able to strengthen you,” and in 1:11 he speaks of his readers being strengthened. What Paul calls “my gospel” in 16:25, is called “the gospel of God” in 1:1. The “mystery that was kept secret for long ages” in 16:25 is called “the gospel He promised beforehand” in 1:2. The “preaching of Jesus Christ” in 16:25 is called the gospel “concerning His son” in 1:3. He speaks of the “prophetic writings” in 16:26 and the “prophets in the holy Scriptures” in 1:2. The gospel “made known to all nations” leading to the “obedience of faith” in 16:26 is “Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake” in 1:4-5.

There are three main parts to Paul’s closing doxology in Romans 16:25-27. Doxology concerns glory (v. 27), and glory drives the theme of Paul’s closing words. First, glory to God for His power, for He “is able to strengthen you.” Romans begins and ends with a reference to the power of God through the gospel which not only has the power to save (1:16), but also to “strengthen” – to establish something so that it remains immovable. In the NT this term is used for nurturing new converts and strengthening young churches. The term describes Paul who meticulously revisited the churches he had planted in order to establish them (Acts 14:21; 15:41; 18:23). Paul also liked to use the term in his letters for making strong Christians to resist erroneous teaching (1 Thess. 3:2), to resist evil temptations (1 Thess. 3:13), and to withstand persecution (2 Thess. 3:3). So, glory to God who is “able to strengthen” all those who call upon the name of Christ for salvation.

Second, Paul gives glory to God for the “gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.” Paul was set apart for this gospel (1:1) which he calls “my gospel” in v. 25 (cf. 2:16) – a gospel that if twisted is only twisted by those accursed (Gal. 1:11-12). This gospel is “according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages.” Though once hidden, it has been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the promised Prophet Moses spoke of (Deut. 18:15), and his inclusion of the Gentiles for salvation as fellow heirs of the promises given to the Jews is the mystery that Israel did not comprehend (cf. 11:25f.). This mystery of the two becoming one in Christ (Eph. 2:11-3:13) also looks forward to the future glory when God will bring all things under one head, Jesus Christ. Only through Christ do the prophetic writings (the OT) become clear, for the One they spoke of has now been revealed – the mystery hidden for ages.

Third, glory to God because this mystery has been revealed “to all nations according to the command of the eternal God to bring about the obedience of faith.” This is what Jesus commanded all believers to do, namely, make disciples of all nation and teach them to obey all that he commanded (Matt. 28:19-20). Glory to God, for His truth is not limited but for all!

Food for Thought

How else could one conclude the theology of Romans except to praise and give glory to the God the letter reveals. He not only saves us, He strengthens us to endure any trial. You’ll only receive this, however, through the preaching of the gospel of Christ. But it takes more than a simple salute to the gospel; it concerns the obedience of faith. Glory to God for this revelation!

Lance Waldie

Pastor, Harvest Bible Church

www.sermonaudio.com/harvestbible