Read & explore together
Doxology
These closing words praise God for his power, wisdom, and saving message. They point to Jesus Christ, a mystery once hidden, and the way that message is now made known among all nations.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is itself a doxology, a spoken expression of praise to God. The writer says God is able to establish people according to the good news and the preaching of Jesus Christ. He also speaks of a mystery once kept secret, now revealed and made known through prophetic Scriptures.
Romans 16:25–27Main takeaway
This doxology praises the only wise God because he has revealed the message about Jesus Christ and made it known among all nations for obedience of faith.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God is able to establishThe doxology begins with God’s ability. The focus is not on what people can achieve, but on what God can do.
Explanation
The doxology begins with God’s ability. The focus is not on what people can achieve, but on what God can do. He is able to establish “you”, and this establishing is linked with “my Good News” and “the preaching of Jesus Christ”. The message about Jesus Christ stands at the centre.
02A mystery once hidden, now revealedThe writer next speaks of “the revelation of the mystery”. In these verses, the mystery had been “kept secret through long ages”, but that is no longer its condition.
Explanation
The writer next speaks of “the revelation of the mystery”. In these verses, the mystery had been “kept secret through long ages”, but that is no longer its condition. Now it “is revealed”. The stress falls on the contrast between long-hidden secrecy and present disclosure.
03Known through prophetic Scriptures for all nationsThis revealed message is made known “by the Scriptures of the prophets” and “according to the commandment of the eternal God”.
Explanation
This revealed message is made known “by the Scriptures of the prophets” and “according to the commandment of the eternal God”. That means the revelation is presented as part of God’s own purpose. Its reach is also wide: it is made known “to all the nations” for “obedience of faith”.
04Glory to the only wise GodThe doxology ends in worship. God is called “the only wise God”, and glory is given to him “through Jesus Christ”.
Explanation
The doxology ends in worship. God is called “the only wise God”, and glory is given to him “through Jesus Christ”. The final words, “forever! Amen”, make this praise enduring and wholehearted. The passage therefore moves from God’s saving message to honouring God himself for it.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does God do in the opening line, and what is that action connected with?
Notice the link between God being able to establish “you” and the phrases about the good news and the preaching of Jesus Christ.
02How does the passage describe the change in the mystery’s status?
Look for the contrast between what was true “through long ages” and what is true “now”.
03According to the passage, who receives this revealed message and what response is named?
Find the phrases that mention both the audience, “all the nations”, and the purpose, “obedience of faith”.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 14:24–26
24Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,
25but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;
26to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
Source passages
Source: Romans 14 ↗Translation and source notes
The planned reference is Romans 16:25–27. World English Bible Classic prints this closing praise at Romans 14:24–26 and identifies the alternate placement in a text note.