Romans 16 27

Romans 16:27 kjv

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Romans 16:27 nkjv

to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Romans 16:27 niv

to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Romans 16:27 esv

to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Romans 16:27 nlt

All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Romans 16 verses

Romans 16 27 Meaning

This verse is a profound doxology, a spontaneous expression of praise and worship, closing Paul's epistle to the Romans. It directs all glory to God, identifying Him uniquely as the "only wise" Being. This glory is eternally manifested and offered "through Jesus Christ," underscoring Christ's indispensable role as the Mediator of all blessings, knowledge, and praise between God and humanity. The final "Amen" confirms the hearty endorsement of this truth and longing for its eternal reality.

Romans 16 27 Context

Romans 16:27 serves as the culminating doxology of Paul's profound theological treatise to the Roman believers. This chapter primarily consists of personal greetings and final instructions, followed by a warning against divisive individuals (Rom 16:17-20). The letter then cycles through another set of greetings from Paul's companions before concluding with two significant doxologies (16:25-27, with scholarly discussion around their exact placement and originality, though consensus strongly supports this placement). The doxology here, "to God only wise," fittingly summarizes the wisdom revealed throughout the epistle: God's intricate plan for salvation, His righteousness, His handling of Israel and the Gentiles, and His ordering of the Church and daily life. It positions this divine wisdom, revealed and made accessible through Jesus Christ, as the ultimate basis for worship, bringing closure to the letter's extensive theological and practical teaching. Historically, concluding a letter with such a declaration of praise was a common rhetorical practice in ancient epistles, emphasizing the divine source and purpose of the preceding message.

Romans 16 27 Word analysis

• To God (monō theō / μόνῳ θεῷ):

  • monō (μόνῳ): From monos, meaning "only," "alone," "single." In the dative case here, emphasizing singularity and uniqueness.
  • theō (θεῷ): From theos, meaning "God." Dative case, indicating the recipient of the glory.
  • This phrase emphasizes absolute monotheism, declaring God as the one and only true God. It stands in direct opposition to the prevalent polytheism and emperor worship of the Greco-Roman world, asserting that ultimate honor is due to none other. God's distinctiveness is a fundamental premise.

• only wise (sophō / σοφῷ):

  • sophō (σοφῷ): From sophos, meaning "wise." Dative case, describing God.
  • Modifies "God," signifying that He alone possesses inherent, perfect, and absolute wisdom. Human wisdom, earthly philosophies, or even angelic intelligence pale in comparison and derive any true insight from Him. This polemic subtly contrasts divine wisdom with the perceived wisdom of worldly systems. God's wisdom is not merely intellectual superiority but also the perfect execution of His divine plan for creation and salvation.

• be glory (hē doxa / ἡ δόξα):

  • hē (ἡ): The definite article, "the."
  • doxa (δόξα): Meaning "glory," "honor," "splendor," "renown," "praise." It conveys the highest form of acknowledgment and adoration.
  • This is not merely a statement but an acclamation and an implicit prayer or command that God receive all due honor. It refers to God's inherent majesty as well as the praise rendered to Him by His creatures.

• through Jesus Christ (dia Iēsou Christou / διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ):

  • dia (διὰ): Preposition meaning "through," "by means of." Indicates mediation or instrumentality.
  • Iēsou (Ἰησοῦ): From Iēsous, "Jesus."
  • Christou (Χριστοῦ): From Christos, "Christ" or "Anointed One."
  • This is a pivotal phrase. All glory ascends to God through the mediatorial person and work of Jesus Christ. It implies that God's wisdom, and therefore His glory, is uniquely revealed and actualized in Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession. Without Christ, humanity cannot properly render glory to the "only wise God," nor can we fully comprehend His wisdom. This also highlights the New Covenant, where access to God and understanding of His character is only in Christ.

• for ever (eis tous aiōnas / εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας):

  • eis (εἰς): Preposition meaning "unto," "into."
  • tous (τοὺς): The definite article, "the."
  • aiōnas (αἰῶνας): From aiōn, meaning "age," "aeon," or "eternity." Plural form, often translated as "forever," "for ages," "to all generations."
  • Signifies perpetual, unending duration. The glory offered to God through Christ is not temporary but extends throughout all time and into eternity. This emphasizes the everlasting nature of God's glory and Christ's mediatorial role.

• Amen (amēn / ἀμήν):

  • From Hebrew āmēn, meaning "truly," "so be it," "it is so."
  • A strong affirmation, a concluding seal of truth, agreement, and hearty desire. It signifies conviction in the preceding statement of praise.

Romans 16 27 Bonus section

The specific textual placement of this doxology (Romans 16:25-27) has been subject to scholarly debate for centuries. While the verse appears consistently in major early Greek manuscripts (e.g., Codex Vaticanus, Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus, Bezae), some manuscripts place similar doxologies elsewhere (e.g., after Romans 14:23 or 15:33). However, modern critical editions generally agree on its placement at the end of Chapter 16, affirming its integrity and intended position as the final, majestic flourish of Paul's letter. This doxology not only provides a grand theological conclusion but also serves a pedagogical purpose by instructing the early Church how to express worship, affirming core Christian tenets like monotheism and the centrality of Christ. It encourages believers to root their faith, hope, and actions in God's perfect, unchanging wisdom as revealed through Jesus Christ.

Romans 16 27 Commentary

Romans 16:27 is the climax of Paul’s majestic theological discourse, encapsulating the entire epistle's purpose: the revelation of God’s redemptive wisdom in Christ for His glory. By addressing God as "the only wise One," Paul establishes the singular and ultimate source of all profound knowledge, strategic planning, and righteous judgment. This challenges any alternative wisdom claim—be it human philosophy, pagan deities, or legalistic efforts—and affirms the foundational truth of divine uniqueness. The statement "be glory" is an acclamation and a liturgical prayer, asserting that praise, honor, and recognition rightfully and perpetually belong to this wise God. Crucially, this eternal glorification is always channeled "through Jesus Christ." Christ is not just an instrument but the very means and revelation by which God’s wisdom is fully known and glorified. His life, death, resurrection, and reign are the definitive manifestation of God's wisdom in history. Therefore, all worship and understanding of God's infinite sagacity necessarily passes through the person and work of the Son. The concluding "Amen" seals this declaration, serving as an unwavering affirmation and a shared longing that God indeed receives unending glory through Christ for all ages. It is a powerful summation of Paul's understanding of God's plan for salvation and His ultimate aim in creation: His own glorious self-exaltation through His Son.