Romans 16:27

Context

Romans 16:27 serves as the powerful and fitting conclusion to Paul's extensive and theologically rich Epistle to the Romans. This verse, along with the preceding two (Romans 16:25-26), forms a doxology – a hymn of praise to God. After addressing various practical matters, greetings to specific individuals in the Roman church, and a final warning against those who cause division (Romans 16:17-20), Paul culminates his letter by directing all glory and honor to God, emphasizing His unique wisdom and the central role of Jesus Christ in His eternal plan. It summarizes the profound theological truths presented throughout the entire letter, from justification by faith to the mystery of Israel's salvation.

Key Themes

• God's Unique Wisdom: The phrase "God only wise" (Greek: monō sophō) highlights God's singular, incomparable, and perfect wisdom. This wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but also His perfect understanding and execution of His divine will, particularly as revealed in the intricate plan of salvation through Christ. It suggests that all of God's actions, even those seemingly mysterious to human minds, flow from His infinite wisdom.
• The Glory of God: The ultimate purpose of this doxology, and indeed of all creation and redemption, is the glory of God. "Glory" (Greek: doxa) refers to God's inherent majesty, splendor, and renown. It is the recognition of His supreme excellence and worthiness of all praise.
• Jesus Christ as the Channel: The phrase "through Jesus Christ" is crucial, indicating that Christ is the mediator and channel through whom this glory is rendered to God. It is in His life, death, resurrection, and ongoing work that God's character, power, and wisdom are most profoundly revealed, leading to all praise and honor being directed to God. This echoes the truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, and we beheld His glory.
• Eternality: The phrase "for ever" emphasizes the eternal nature of God's wisdom and His glory. His attributes are unchanging and His reign is everlasting, assuring believers of the enduring truth and power of the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

• "Only Wise" (Greek: monō sophō): This emphasizes God's unique and unparalleled wisdom. It's not just that He is wise, but that He possesses wisdom in a way no other being does – perfectly and supremely. This divine attribute is powerfully displayed in His redemptive plan, which was hidden for ages but now revealed through the gospel.
• "Glory" (Greek: doxa): In this context, doxa signifies the ultimate honor, praise, and adoration due to God for His inherent majesty and His wonderful works, especially the work of salvation.
• "Through Jesus Christ" (Greek: dia Iēsou Christou): The preposition dia here denotes the means or agency. It underscores that Jesus Christ is not only the revelation of God's wisdom but also the means by which humanity can offer appropriate glory and worship to God.

Related Scriptures

This concluding doxology in Romans 16:27 shares striking similarities with other New Testament doxologies, particularly Jude 1:25, which also attributes glory to 'the only wise God our Saviour'. The concept of God's wisdom being revealed through Christ is also central to passages like 1 Corinthians 1:24, which states that Christ is 'the power of God, and the wisdom of God'. Paul's frequent emphasis on giving glory to God through Christ is a recurring theme in his epistles, such as when he speaks of every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11).

Practical Application

Romans 16:27 serves as a powerful reminder for believers to always direct their praise and worship to God. It encourages us to:

1. Trust God's Wisdom: Even when circumstances are difficult or God's ways seem incomprehensible, we can rest in the assurance that He is "only wise" and works all things according to His perfect plan.
2. Live for God's Glory: Our lives, our actions, and our words should ultimately aim to bring glory to God, recognizing that He is worthy of all honor and praise.
3. Acknowledge Christ's Centrality: Jesus Christ is the indispensable bridge between humanity and God. All our blessings, our redemption, and our ability to approach God come through Him. Our worship and understanding of God are always "through Jesus Christ."
4. Embrace Eternal Perspective: The "for ever" reminds us that God's truth and His kingdom are eternal. This gives hope and stability in a changing world.