Romans 16:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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

NIV: Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

NASB: 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,

CSB: Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages

NLT: Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.

KJV: 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,

NKJV: 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 kept secret since the world began

Paul concludes his longest biblical letter with a doxology, which is like a hymn or song of praise to God. Paul begins this doxology with the statement "to him who is able" followed by a long sentence describing what God has done and is doing in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not until the end of the sentence will Paul finish the thought by declaring the glory of God.

First, Paul reminds the Christians in Rome that God can strengthen them by or through "my" gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ. Paul insists that "his" gospel, meaning the one he has consistently preached and has presented in this letter to the Romans, is the final word on what is true about Jesus. Nobody should accept any other version of the gospel of Jesus. That would be a false gospel (Galatians 1:8–9).

The true gospel, the true "good news," is that through faith in Jesus, who died to pay the penalty for our sins, all human beings can be forgiven and receive a righteousness from God that cannot be attained in any other way (Romans 3:23; 6:23, 10:9–12). This is what it means to be saved, to be given a place in God's family forever where we will share in His glory.

Paul describes this great truth as a mystery. It was not something discovered or uncovered by himself or anyone else. Instead, it was revealed by God when the time was right. Until then, it remained hidden for the "long ages" as generations of humanity came and went until the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Son of God in human form.

Romans 16:25–27 is a one-sentence doxology or hymn of praise to God. Paul praises the One who has revealed the long-hidden mystery of the gospel, or good news, of salvation through faith in Jesus, making it available to all nations. Paul calls it ''his'' gospel, a personal touch and reference to Paul's own personal ministry and teachings. This is an idea Paul uses in other letters, such as Galatians. He concludes by declaring God's glory through Jesus Christ forevermore.

The final chapter of Romans contains four sections intended to wrap up the letter. Paul commends the woman who will deliver the letter and then sends greetings to many people he knows in Rome. After last-minute, urgent instruction about false teachers, Paul sends greetings to the Roman Christians from those who are with him in Corinth, including Timothy. Paul closes out the letter with a hymn of praise to the God who has revealed to all the nations of the earth the gospel of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

Prior verses detailed Paul's plans to visit Rome and asked for prayer. This text concludes his letter to the Christians in Rome with four quick sections. He sends his greetings to a list of people he knows, or at least knows of, in Rome. Paul offers last-minute instruction about false teachers. He sends greetings from those who are with him in Corinth. And he closes out the letter with a beautiful praise hymn to the God who has revealed the mystery of the gospel of Jesus to all nations so that all might obey faith in Jesus.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.