Romans 16:25-27, A Prayer for God’s Glory

This, like Rom. 15:13, is essentially a “benediction.”  Resist the temptation to think of this as just a formality.  With Scripture, and especially Paul, all his prayers are meant to be studied.  Praying is never a mere formality.  My father used to quote 2 Cor. 13:14 at the end of every worship service.  I can look back and say that I doubt he ever prayed that benediction without meaning.  But as a kid, I knew that verse (memorization is good) but I also knew it meant the service was finally over.  He considered it to be a good thought as you left the comfort of the Body of Christ and re-entered the harsh realities of life in a sinful world.

This prayer is simple in its construction:  Paul prays to “Him” (God) and prays that He will be glorified through Jesus Christ.  What gives the prayer impact is what it says about God and why He deserves such glory.  Often, in our praying and praising, we just want to give God glory; we don’t include anything that is glorious about God.  We sing “let’s just praise the Lord” or string together a few “hallelujahs” and assume everyone has a good reason to join in.  But good prayers are not like that.  Read the Psalms.  Repeatedly we are called to praise; but it is never praise for praise’ sake.  We always have solid reasons, which is the case here.

·       God is able to establish us, and those for whom we pray.  So Paul is praying that God will establish the Romans believers, for in that He will gain glory.

·       God will establish them through Paul’s gospel (the gospel of God’s grace) and the preaching of Jesus Christ.  Thus, Paul is praying that the gospel ministry will thrive, for in that people will be established and God will gain glory.

·       God’s establishing them by the gospel is according to the “mystery of God,” God’s plan for the ages, to bring glory to His Son.  This is the amazing plan that would eventually involve the Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Session at the Right Hand, and earthly Kingdom of our Lord.  That whole plan has the glory of God written across it. 

o   If you wonder about this plan, Paul reminds them that it is the one that was a secret in OT times, but Christ having come and finished His earthly work, has now been made manifest TO ALL NATIONS.  Again, especially for those in Rome, this is most glorifying to God.  The seat of the empire, where the nations are ruled, has, through the letter to the Romans, been informed of God’s plan for those nations.

o   The plan has been made known, by God’s command, through the NT Scriptures, and through Paul particularly.  Because the plan exalts the Son, God is glorified through Jesus Christ forever.  Thus, Paul is praying more and more of the nations will come to Christ; in that way God will gain glory!

o   Amen!  The concluding word is Paul’s way of saying: this is all that matters, that God be glorified in the way He has planned.  May it be so!