Romans Chapter 16 Vs. 25

 

Doxology

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, Rom 16:25

Now to him... This is certainly a second postscript.

To the revelation... Some think that Paul added it when he got to Rome and after he had written Ephesians concerning the mystery that had been kept secret from ages past (Eph. 3:1-21). It is in all the MSS but two or three. Some have it after Rom. 14:23 and others have it here. Some have it in both places, but there is no question of its genuineness and authenticity.

Preaching of Jesus Christ was synonymous with the gospel; it was Paul’s supreme life commitment. The “mystery” refers to something hidden in former times but now made known.

Col. 1:26-27 “[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” “To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

In the Old Testament, the veil was covering the things of God. Jesus opened the way for us to the Father when He died on the cross. It is as if He removed the scales from our eyes, and the Holy Spirit of God has revealed to us the salvation story. We could hear it all day long, but until the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning we are without understanding. Praise God Jesus sent the comforter who is our teacher and guide, as well.

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. 1Pet. 5:10).

Paul said that aspects of this message (e.g., Rom. 11:25; 1Cor. 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 (1Tim. 1:17), Christ was referred to (Luke 24:44-45), but even the prophets themselves were not fully aware of all they wrote (1Pet. 1:10-12). But now in the Church Age their writings are understood.