25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
The following verses close the letter.
V. 25-26 - “Now to Him who is able to establish you” - We are saved (established) by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
“according” - This can be read “on the basis of”. This begins a list of foundational thoughts:
“(On the basis of) my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ” - Paul’s gospel: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor 15:3-4 ) And: “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2 ) Jesus’ preaching: “Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6 )
“(On the basis of) the revelation of the mystery” - A mystery, as mentioned in the NT, is a truth undisclosed except by revelation. (Examples of mysteries: 1 Cor 13:2, 15:51; Matt 13:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 5:3-32.) That Christ would die for our sin, and be resurrected for our life in Him; that the church would be the "believers who come to Christ in faith be saved; that Gentiles would be welcomed (hinted at in the prophets, but not understood until revealed after Pentecost, are some of the ‘mysteries’ that have been ‘manifested’ - made known clearly and plainly to us.
“(On the basis of) the Scriptures of the prophets” - God spoke to us through his prophets. But the people then (and now as well) have rejected the message. See: "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.” (Zec 7:11-12 )
“(On the basis of) the commandment of the eternal God” - God has been calling to us: “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ “ (Eze 33:11) And: "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut 6:4-5) Also: "You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you.” (Deut 6:13-14)
“Leading to obedience of faith” - According to all of the above, you may be led to a faith in Christ. The reason I say “you may be led” is that the information is there, the call to you is there; it is your choice how you respond. If you obey the Lord and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, your salvation is established, that is: rooted and built up in Christ, drawing life from Christ, protected by Christ. (See: John 3:35; 10:28-29)
V. 27 - “To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” Glory to God in the highest. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. Then all the people said, ‘Amen,’ and praised the LORD.” (1 Chr 16:36 )
***End of Chapter
End of Letter.
Romans 16:1-27 (NASB) Finished 13-Mar-2020.
No comments:
Post a Comment