Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 16

A special prayer to praise God

Romans 16:24-27

Usually at the end of Paul’s letters, Paul blesses the people to whom he writes. However, he has already done this several times in chapters 15 and 16. Perhaps he blesses them again in verse 24, although that verse does not appear in many ancient copies of the Bible.

So, instead, at the end of the Book of Romans, Paul praises God with a special prayer. His prayer is that God will always receive the glory (honour) due to him (verse 27). Of course, Paul prays that wisely. In the end, God certainly will receive all glory and honour. So, this prayer cannot fail.

In verse 25, Paul describes God as the God who is able to make his people strong (Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 1:6). He does it by the gospel (the message about Christ), which God’s people are even now declaring in every nation (10:9-18).

For so many ages, the gospel seemed a mystery or a secret (Ephesians 1:9-10). However, that secret was only waiting for the time when God had chosen to make it public. Long before Christ came, the prophets (holy men) had written about it in their books (1 Peter 1:10-12). Ancient passages like Psalm 22 and Isaiah chapter 53 declare God’s plan clearly. It is that Christ, by his death, brings people into a right relationship with God (5:6-11). Because of their evil deeds, all people have made themselves into God’s enemies (3:23). However, because of Christ’s death, people from all nations can become God’s friends. They do not achieve this by their own works, but by faith, simple belief and trust in God (chapter 4). It is God who, by his Spirit, makes it possible for them to obey him (8:1-11). So God, by his great power, will complete the work that he has begun in their lives (8:18; 8:28-30).

Next part: About the Book of Romans: its author, date and original readers

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