25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (ESV)
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Romans 16:25-27
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Living a Life of Doxology
Paul ends the book of Romans in a very peculiar way–namely without a verb. “To God… Amen.” (Romans 16:25-27) What are we to make of this? What is Paul saying?
The answer, it seems, is given to us in 2 Corinthians 1:20, in which Paul declares, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” After finishing the Bible’s most extensive explanation of the gospel in the 16 chapters of Romans, what could Paul possibly say to bring this letter to a close? God has promised and fulfilled. It is all Yes in Jesus and we are left speechless with its glory. There is but one word to say: “To God… Amen.”
May you live this Amen today.(This was originally posted on the Biblearc blog by Andy Hubert on April 28, 2014.)