Romans 16 26

Romans 16:26 kjv

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Romans 16:26 nkjv

but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith?

Romans 16:26 niv

but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith?

Romans 16:26 esv

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 ?

Romans 16:26 nlt

But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 26 Meaning

Romans 16:26 declares that God's plan for salvation, previously kept secret and veiled (often referred to as a "mystery" in Rom 16:25), has now been made manifest. This revelation is not an entirely new idea but is deeply rooted in the "prophetic writings" of the Old Testament. Its scope is universal, intended to be announced and understood by "all nations" (Gentiles), stemming from the sovereign command of "the eternal God." The ultimate purpose of this divine disclosure and universal proclamation is to evoke an "obedience of faith," a saving response from humanity that is characterized by trust and submission to God's revealed will.

Romans 16 26 Context

Romans 16:26 forms part of the concluding doxology of Paul's letter to the Roman believers (Rom 16:25-27). This doxology serves as a majestic summary of the epistle's major themes and an appropriate capstone to Paul's extensive theological argument. It connects intimately with Romans 16:25, which introduces "the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been revealed." Paul's primary mission was to declare God's plan for salvation for both Jew and Gentile through faith in Christ, demonstrating that this universal salvation was not an afterthought but God's eternal design, hinted at in the Old Testament and fully unveiled through Christ. Historically, Paul addresses a church composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, striving to reconcile their differences and unite them under the truth of the Gospel. The "mystery" polemically refutes any notion of Jewish exclusivity in salvation and highlights the comprehensive and inclusive nature of God's redemptive purpose, against any contemporary beliefs that confined God's favor solely to one ethnic group.

Romans 16 26 Word analysis

• but has now been revealed: Greek: ἀποκαλυφθέντος (apokalyphthéntos) - from ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō), meaning to uncover, disclose, or unveil. This highlights that something previously hidden or unknown has been brought into full light and made clearly visible. It underscores divine action and timing, emphasizing that God orchestrated this unveiling at its opportune moment in redemptive history. This "now" contrasts with the "long ages past" in the preceding verse, signifying a new era of understanding and access.
• and through the prophetic writings: Greek: διὰ γραφῶν προφητικῶν (dia graphōn prophētikōn). "Writings" (γραφή, graphē) specifically refers to the sacred Scriptures, predominantly the Old Testament. "Prophetic" (προφητικός, prophētikos) points to their divine inspiration and the foretelling elements concerning Christ and God's plan. This indicates that the revelation is not a novelty without historical or biblical roots but finds its attestation and groundwork in ancient, divinely inspired texts. The Gospel's continuity with God's earlier revelation to Israel is affirmed.
• has been made known to all nations: Greek: εἰς ἔθνη πάντα γνωσθέντος (eis ethnē panta gnōsthéntos). "Made known" (γνωσθέντος, gnōsthéntos) from γινώσκω (ginōskō), to know or understand. "All nations" (ἔθνη πάντα, ethnē panta) translates "Gentiles," meaning all non-Jewish peoples. This signifies the universal scope and purpose of the Gospel. God's salvation is not ethnically confined but embraces all humanity. This broad dissemination marks a departure from earlier periods where God's special revelation was primarily within Israel.
• according to the command: Greek: κατ᾽ ἐπιταγὴν (kat' epitagēn). This emphasizes divine authority, initiation, and absolute sovereignty. The unfolding of this mystery and its universal proclamation is not a human initiative or invention but proceeds from the direct, authoritative instruction and design of God. It affirms God's pre-ordained plan and purpose.
• of the eternal God: Greek: τοῦ αἰωνίου Θεοῦ (tou aiōniou Theou). "Eternal" (αἰώνιος, aiōnios) signifies God's boundless existence, His timelessness, and immutable character. It stresses that God's plan, though revealed in time, is rooted in His unchangeable, everlasting nature. The one who commands is not constrained by time, and therefore His purposes are steadfast across all ages.
• to bring about the obedience of faith: Greek: εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως (eis hypakoēn pisteōs). "Obedience" (ὑπακοή, hypakoē) is an active response of heeding and submission. "Faith" (πίστις, pistis) refers to trust, belief, and reliance on God. This phrase (also in Rom 1:5) represents a foundational Pauline concept. It denotes not just intellectual assent, but a wholehearted, trusting submission to the Gospel that transforms one's life. True saving faith inherently includes an obedient response to God's call and His word.

Word-Group Analysis

• "but has now been revealed and through the prophetic writings has been made known": This coupling emphasizes both the supernatural disclosure of the Gospel by God and its authoritative substantiation within the existing Old Testament Scriptures. It asserts continuity and fulfillment rather than novelty and discontinuity, showing God's consistent plan.
• "to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God": This highlights the twin pillars of the Gospel's reach and its source. The message is global in scope, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries, because it originates from the sovereign, unchanging will of the timeless God, ensuring its legitimacy and universal applicability.
• "to bring about the obedience of faith": This phrase clarifies the ultimate aim or telos of this divine revelation. It's not just for knowledge, but for transformation, where faith in Christ leads to a life lived in accordance with God's will. It’s the responsive action elicited by God's gracious call through the Gospel.

Romans 16 26 Bonus section

The "mystery" in Pauline theology (Rom 16:25-26, Eph 3:3-6, Col 1:26-27) most prominently refers to the specific divine purpose, kept secret in prior ages but now revealed, of uniting both Jews and Gentiles into one new body, the Church, in Christ Jesus, making them joint-heirs and participants in God's promises. This verse encapsulates Paul's overarching theological project of articulating how God's righteousness is made available through faith to all people, harmonizing God's specific promises to Israel with His universal saving intent for humanity. The doxology itself, whether a traditional conclusion or Paul's final summation, emphasizes the glory of God in orchestrating this cosmic plan.

Romans 16 26 Commentary

Romans 16:26 provides a profound doxological summary of the grand narrative of God's redemptive work. It underlines that the Gospel, specifically the inclusion of Gentiles alongside Jews in salvation, is not a new idea, but God's eternal mystery progressively unveiled. This mystery, long hidden from human comprehension, has now been lucidly revealed. Crucially, its foundation lies not in new teachings without precedent, but firmly "through the prophetic writings" of the Old Testament, which foretold a universal scope for God's blessing. This ensures the Gospel's rootedness in God's continuous and trustworthy word. The universal proclamation "to all nations" affirms that God's plan is global and inclusive, driven by the deliberate "command of the eternal God," signifying its divine authority and immutable purpose. The ultimate goal of this revelation and proclamation is not merely intellectual enlightenment, but to elicit a living "obedience of faith"—a trusting, transformative response that expresses itself in surrender and adherence to God's gracious will. It speaks to both the accessibility and the expected outcome of the Gospel: accessible to all, with an expectation of genuine, living faith.Examples: A new believer, understanding the depth of God's revealed plan, dedicates their life to serving God (obedience of faith). Missionaries proclaim the message, rooted in ancient scriptures, to previously unreached people groups (made known to all nations by eternal God's command).