Romans 16:24-27
(24) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(25) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(27) To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.
The apostle finally came to his closing benediction. This letter to the Romans is Paul’s longest and most complete statement of the message he proclaimed, what he here called my gospel (cf. 2:16; 2 Tim. 2:8) and the proclamation of (i.e., concerning) Jesus Christ. The truth of this message is the means of spiritual life and stability, as Paul expressed his praise to God who is able to establish you (cf. 1 Peter 5:10).
Paul said that aspects of this message (e.g., Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:51; Eph. 5:32) and in a sense the total message (cf. Eph. 3:3-9; Col. 1:26-27) are the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known. The message of the gospel of Christ was “hidden” in the Old Testament, but is revealed in the New. In the prophetic writings (of the OT; cf. Rom. 1:2), given by the command of the eternal God (1 Tim. 1:17), Christ was referred to (Luke 24:44-45), but even the prophets themselves were not fully aware of all they wrote (1 Peter 1:10-12). But now in the Church Age their writings are understood.
The goal of this “revelation of the mystery” (Rom. 16:25) is that people of all nations might believe and obey Christ (cf. 1:5; 15:18; 1 Peter 1:2). Paul’s concern for the geographical spread of the gospel is evident here (cf. Matt. 28:19), appropriate in view of his writing to the believers at the empire’s capital city.
Paul then identified specifically the object of his benediction: To the only wise God. In the Greek this phrase is followed immediately by the words through Jesus Christ. This indicates that the wisdom of God is displayed supremely through Christ (cf. Col. 2:3). According to the Greek text the benediction then ends, to whom be glory forever! Amen (cf. Rom. 11:36). God the Father ultimately is the One to be praised and to whom glory belongs (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24-28).
Excerpt from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Below are FB comments on the book of Romans (The Bible Knowledge Commentary):
