Romans 16:25-27 The Doxology of Romans
The fact that this section of the letter to the Romans appears differently in the manuscript tradition has encouraged the view that it is not from Paul. In some manuscripts, it appears after 14:23, while in others it is omitted altogether. However, whether by Paul or not, it is still a fitting ending to the letter to the Romans.
Second, in the Greek, this doxology is just one long sentence. Our modern translations have tried to break it down to smaller sentences so as to make it easier to understand. A literal translation that shows the sentence structure of Romans 16:25-27 can be rendered in the following manner: (Click on the image to enlarge)
The doxology is to the "only Wise God". Paul's letter to the Romans contains his gospel, that is, the revelation of God's plan which in its wisdom covers all men, the rejection of the Jews notwithstanding, saving them from the wrath to come through the love that has been poured out in the sacrifice rendered by Christ and preached unto the Gentiles to dispel all ignorance (Rom. 11:25).
What Paul refers to as his Gospel is "the power of God unto salvation for everyone that believes, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles" (Rom. 1:16) The death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ has opened the door for man's salvation from sin and death, and Paul has been set aside to make this Word-event known (Rom. 1:1.15)
The term "mystery" (Greek: musterion mysterion) is equivalent to the Aramaic z'r (raz) which is God's plan revealed only in the last days, a secret only reserved for the truly wise. This already hidden in the prophetic writings were made manifest only AFTER Christ has been glorified. The death, resurrection and glorification of the Christ was therefore the key that unlocked the mystery which for a long time remained cryptically hidden in the writings of the prophets. And now, through the ministry of Paul, it is being proclaimed to the Gentiles, for it is -- as Paul declares -- God's command.
