Romans 16 24

Romans 16:24 kjv

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16:24 nkjv

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 24 Meaning

Romans 16:24, while absent from many of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, articulates a standard Pauline benediction: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." It conveys a heartfelt desire that the divine favor, redemptive power, and undeserved mercy found in Jesus Christ would continually encompass the entire Roman Christian community. This grace is understood as the active, life-sustaining presence and benevolent work of God mediated through Christ. The concluding "Amen" signifies an earnest affirmation of this prayer and blessing.

Romans 16 24 Context

Romans 16:24 appears in the closing section of Paul's letter to the Romans, typically understood as a part of the epistolary benediction. This chapter is distinct in its numerous personal greetings, commending Phoebe (v. 1-2), acknowledging a multitude of believers (v. 3-15), warning against divisive figures (v. 17-20a), and extending greetings from his companions (v. 21-23). The immediately preceding verse, Rom 16:23, concludes a list of senders' greetings. Another benediction, similar in theme, is found in Rom 16:20, and the widely accepted conclusion of the epistle is the doxology in Rom 16:25-27. The historical context reflects Paul's meticulous care in maintaining relationships and his fervent desire for unity and sound doctrine within the burgeoning Roman church, a community he had not yet visited.

Romans 16 24 Word analysis

• The grace (Greek: ἡ χάρις, hē charis): Denotes unmerited divine favor and spiritual benefit, the essence of the Christian experience. It's not a human quality but God's loving disposition and activity towards humanity, especially in Christ, independent of human merit. Paul consistently elevates charis as foundational to salvation and ongoing Christian life, setting it in opposition to human works and legalistic demands (Rom 11:6).
• of our Lord (Greek: τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, tou Kyriou hēmōn): Refers directly to Jesus Christ. "Lord" (Kyrios) is a title of ultimate authority, deity, and ownership, used by early Christians to apply the divine name (Yahweh) to Jesus. This signifies that this grace emanates from His sovereign position and redemptive work. The possessive "our" highlights the personal relationship and communal confession of Christ's Lordship.
• Jesus Christ (Greek: Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, Iēsou Christou): Specifies the unique person and office. "Jesus" is His given human name, meaning "Yahweh saves," while "Christ" is His title (from Hebrew Messiah), meaning "Anointed One," indicating His role as the divinely appointed Savior and King. The combination underlines His full identity as both God and man, the one through whom God's grace is poured out.
• be with you all (Greek: μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν, meta pantōn hymōn): This expresses a prayerful wish or a declarative blessing for the divine favor to actively dwell within the entire community. "You all" emphasizes inclusivity, meaning every individual in the Roman church without exception. This stands against any potential factionalism or exclusivism, promoting unity in the common experience of grace.
• Amen (Greek: Ἀμήν, Amēn): A Hebrew transliteration, meaning "so be it," "truly," or "let it be affirmed." It serves as a strong affirmation of the preceding prayer or statement, expressing confident trust in its fulfillment. In the New Testament, it often seals a doxology or a petition, signifying solemn agreement or affirmation of truth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: This phrase succinctly captures the source and nature of Christian salvation and sustenance. It’s God's initiative, extended through Christ's sacrifice, and personally applied by faith. It emphasizes that divine favor is not abstract but concretely embodied and offered through the historical figure of Jesus, who is acknowledged as Lord.
• be with you all: This forms the petition or declaration of the benediction, extending the benefit of "grace" to the recipients. The communal "you all" signifies that this blessing is for the collective body of believers, reinforcing themes of church unity and shared experience in Christ. It's a desire for the continual presence and efficacy of this grace in their lives.
• Amen: This final word functions as a confirmation and a communal seal, solidifying the prayer's intent. It suggests that the one pronouncing the blessing, and by extension, the recipients, affirm the truth and desire the realization of this profound benediction.

Romans 16 24 Bonus section

Textual Criticism and Significance:Romans 16:24 is not found in some of the oldest and most significant New Testament manuscripts, including Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, and Codex Alexandrinus. Modern critical editions (like NA28, UBS5) therefore omit it from their main text, often relegating it to footnotes or square brackets. This suggests it was likely a later scribal addition. The practice of appending familiar benedictions to letters was common, and its near-identical appearance at Rom 16:20, and similar phrases in other Pauline epistles, further suggests harmonization or enhancement by scribes. While its omission from the most reliable textual tradition means it isn't original to Paul's letter, the content itself is thoroughly Pauline and aligns with his established theology regarding grace and Christ's Lordship, frequently used as a conclusion to his letters. Its presence in later manuscript traditions reflects the piety and theological affirmation of the early church.

Romans 16 24 Commentary

Romans 16:24, despite its contested textual status, perfectly embodies a typical Pauline conclusion or interim benediction, wishing the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the believers. It is a succinct encapsulation of Pauline theology, affirming that all spiritual benefits, sustenance, and hope derive solely from the unmerited favor of God channeled through His Son, Jesus, who is acknowledged as Lord and Messiah. This grace is not only for individual salvation but for the corporate life of the church, promoting unity ("you all") and serving as the foundational reality for their existence and conduct. The "Amen" serves to solemnly affirm the earnestness and truth of this powerful blessing, reinforcing the communal confession of Christ's sovereignty. Even if considered a scribal addition for liturgical or theological completion, its content resonates deeply with the spirit and message of Paul.