Romans 16:25-27

Romans 16:25-Daniel : . The Closing Doxology.— As to the place of this passage, see Introd. § 4 . At first sight, it looks like a paragraph strayed from Ephesians, Colossians, or the Pastorals (see the Revised parallel references); close examination shows it relevant enough to this epistle.

Romans 16:25 f. Paul renders praise “ to him that is able” ( cf. Ephesians 3:20) “ to establish you”— his own earnest longing ( Romans 1:11; cf. Romans 14:4)—“ according to my gospel (as in Romans 2:16; cf. 2 Timothy 2:8) and the proclamation of Jesus Christ” (in the style of 1 Corinthians 1:21-Jeremiah :; 1 Corinthians 15:14). “ For obedience of faith made known unto all the nations” carries us back to Romans 1:5; Romans 1:13-Ezra :, while the expression “ through prophetic scriptures” almost repeats that of Romans 1:2, having no other parallel in Paul; the epistle teems with references to the OT prophets.—“ The mystery held in silence in times eternal ( 2 Timothy 1:9 f., Titus 1:2 f.), but now made manifest,” is God’ s purpose to impart to the Gentiles the Messianic salvation ( cf. Romans 1:5 ; Romans 1:16, Romans 10:12, Romans 15:7-1 Chronicles :)— the secret of the Cross (see 1 Corinthians 2:6-1 Samuel :); Ephesians 2:14-Song of Solomon :; Ephesians 3:4-Joshua :, unfolds the further, consequent mystery of their incorporation in the universal Church (p. 812 ). The parallel expressions, “ according to my gospel and the preaching,” etc., and “ according to the revelation,” etc., point to the human and Divine activities co-operating to “ establish” Roman believers: “ we preach Christ”— God “ reveals the mystery” of His eternal grace ( cf. Matthew 16:17, Ephesians 1:17 ff.). “ Manifested now (the Greek order) and through prophetic scriptures” (remove the comma of EV); the mystery revealed in the Gospel was foreshadowed by the old Economy ( cf. Romans 3:21). The mandate of the eternal God” ( cf. 1 Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:3) directed alike the present unveiling and the earlier hidden preparations for the bringing about of “ faith-obedience” ; for this end God’ s great secret “ has been made known unto all the nations.”

Romans 16:27 . “ To whom” is probably an early textual blunder, due to Galatians 1:5 and 2 Timothy 4:18, or introduced through liturgical usage. With the deletion ( mg.) of the relative pronoun (a single Greek letter), which throws grammatical confusion into this noble passage, the Doxology concludes by resuming and completing its overture: “ To the only, the wise God ( cf. 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:15 f.) through Jesus Christ be glory for ever!” Only and wise are distinct attributes: He is the one God ( Romans 3:29 f.), whose sovereign counsel wisely disposes the successive epochs of revelation and dispenses its manifold gifts; see Romans 11:33-Zephaniah :.

The epistle ends in the sublime and stately fashion of its beginning.