Reading through Romans

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.
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Romans 16:25-27 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. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
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Reflection: Romans 16:25-27 (John Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World)

Conclusion: The providence of God in the ministry of Paul (Romans 15:14–16:27)

Paul takes the Roman church into his confidence about the salient characteristics of his ministry… giving us insight into the outworking of God’s providence in his life and work.

Paul’s doxology (25-27)

Paul’s doxology is an eloquent and appropriate conclusion to his letter, for he takes up its four central themes, summarizes them and relates them to one another.

First, Paul writes of the power of God.

Romans begins and ends with a reference to the power of God through the gospel. If the gospel is God’s power to save, it is also God’s power to establish… i.e. to nurture new converts and strengthen young churches…. The vision conjured up by the doxology’s opening words is of God’s ability to establish the multi-ethnic church in Rome, of which Paul has been dreaming, and to strengthen its members in truth, holiness and unity.

Second, Paul writes of the gospel of Christ.

God’s secret, hitherto concealed but now revealed, is essentially Jesus Christ himself in his fullness, and in particular Christ for and in the Gentiles, so that Gentiles now have an equal share with Israel in God’s promise…. The mystery also includes good news for Jews as well as Gentiles, namely that one day ‘all Israel will be saved’. And it looks forward to the future glory, when God will bring all things together under one head, Christ. Thus the mystery begins, continues and ends with Christ.

Third, Paul writes of the evangelization of the nations.

It is important to grasp that Paul is stating three truths about the mystery, which are summed up by the verbs hidden, revealed and made known. It is not just that the mystery was long concealed, but has now been revealed, namely through the life, death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus. The third fact is that this good news must be, and is already being, made known throughout the world: made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him.

This scheme of the making known of the gospel through Scripture, by God’s command, unto obedience of faith, for all the nations, exactly corresponds to the letter’s opening, which refers to the gospel as being, among other things, according to the Scriptures, through the grace and apostleship given to Paul and others, unto obedience of faith, and for all the nations.

Fourth, Paul concludes in praise of God’s wisdom: to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

God’s wisdom is seen in Christ himself… above all in his cross which, though foolish to human beings, is the wisdom of God, in God’s decision to save the world not through its own wisdom but through the folly of the gospel, in the extraordinary phenomenon of the emerging multiracial, multicultural church; and in his purpose ultimately to unite everything under Christ.

God’s redeemed people will spend eternity ascribing to him ‘praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength’… i.e. they will worship him for his power and wisdom displayed in salvation.
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“Unto the Lamb” – Diana with Atlanta Chamber Choir

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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen