Romans 16:25-26
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This final doxology isn't just a warm send-off; it highlights that the "mystery" revealed in the gospel—the inclusion of Gentiles—was a truth kept silent for ages, emphasizing God's strategic timing and the radical shift the gospel represents. It’s not just good news, but a long-hidden divine plan finally unveiled, meant to strengthen believers according to that specific revelation.
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 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—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul concludes his letter with a powerful doxology, a praise to God, which emphasizes His ability to strengthen believers. This closing statement ties together the main themes of the letter—the gospel, the revelation of God's hidden plan, and the universal call to faith—which have been meticulously laid out and defended throughout.
Have you ever felt like you're barely holding on? This verse reminds us where our true strength comes from.
The verse opens with a powerful declaration: 'Now to him who is able to strengthen you.' This isn't a suggestion or a hope; it's a statement of God's inherent capacity. The original language emphasizes God's power and ability. This strength isn't dependent on our performance but on His faithful nature. He has the power to establish you, to make you firm and steadfast in your faith, especially when facing challenges or doubts.
Paul links God's strengthening power directly to 'my gospel.' What does that mean for us today?
God strengthens us according to the gospel. This means the truth of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection is the very foundation and framework for our stability. It's not just a message to believe, but the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). The gospel of grace, justification by faith, and the new life in Christ are the truths that anchor us, especially when the world around us feels shaky. When Paul calls it 'my gospel,' he's not claiming ownership but highlighting his specific role in proclaiming and defending it, ensuring its purity and power.
The gospel is described as a 'mystery kept secret for long ages.' What was this hidden plan, and why is its revelation so powerful?
The 'mystery' Paul refers to is primarily God's plan to bring salvation to people—both Jews and Gentiles—through faith in Jesus Christ, breaking down the barriers that separated them. This wasn't a new plan, but one hidden or kept silent in previous ages, even from the angelic realm. Its revelation through the gospel is astounding! It means God's grace is universally accessible, not limited by ethnicity or past religious status. This grand revelation, now made known, provides a profound assurance and inclusiveness that strengthens our faith and expands our understanding of God's heart.
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Understand the original words
euangelion · Greek Noun
The Greek term for the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ; the central message of the apostolic teaching regarding the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God.
mystērion · Greek Noun
A sacred truth once hidden from human knowledge but now unveiled by God to His people; specifically, the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant of grace.
apokalypsis · Greek Noun
The act of God pulling back the veil to manifest truth that was previously concealed; the divine unveiling of His character, plan, and purposes.
graphē prophētikē · Greek Noun phrase
Divine utterances given through inspired messengers; these writings serve as the canonical witness to God's redemptive plan throughout history.
aiōnios · Greek Adjective
A quality belonging to or having existed for all time; God’s existence is outside the constraints of temporal progression.
hypakoē pisteōs · Greek Noun phrase
The combination of trust and submission; it describes a life characterized by genuine belief in Christ that manifests in active, life-changing obedience to His commands.
This doxology concludes Paul's letter to the Romans, a work that meticulously explains the 'mystery' – the inclusion of Gentiles into God's salvation plan on equal footing with Jews through faith in Christ. This profound truth, hidden for ages, was now revealed, and Paul trusts God to strengthen believers in this understanding.
c. 14th Century BC
Abrahamic Covenant
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising descendants and a land, hinting at a future blessing for all nations.
c. 1400-1200 BC
Mosaic Law and Covenant
The Law is given to Israel, establishing a covenant that, while revealing God's holiness, also highlights humanity's inability to perfectly keep it.
c. 1000 BC - 500 BC
Prophetic Promises
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah speak of a future Messiah and a new covenant, hinting at a broader salvation that would include Gentiles.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Many Jewish nobles, including Daniel, are exiled to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Gentile 'times of the nations' mentioned in Scripture.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified and resurrected, inaugurating the new covenant and making salvation available to all through faith.
c. 33-48 AD
Early Apostolic Ministry
The apostles, including Peter and Paul, begin proclaiming the gospel, initially focused on Jewish audiences but increasingly including Gentiles.
c. 57 AD— this verse
Paul's Letter to the Romans
Paul, writing from Corinth, sends his letter to the church in Rome, summarizing his gospel and addressing complex theological issues, including the inclusion of Gentiles.
This passage speaks of the 'mystery hidden for ages in God' which is now revealed through the church, echoing the theme of a long-concealed divine plan being made known.
Colossians 1:26This verse directly parallels Romans 16:25 by mentioning the 'mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed,' highlighting God's eternal plan for salvation that transcends previous limitations.
1 Peter 5:10Peter writes about the God who is able to restore, establish, and strengthen believers, underscoring the same divine power to uphold Christians that Paul invokes at the close of Romans.
Jude 1:24This verse offers a powerful doxology to 'him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before his glorious presence,' mirroring the emphasis on God's strengthening power in Romans 16:25.
Isaiah 11:10This prophecy speaks of a 'root of Jesse' who will stand as a banner to the peoples, and to him shall the nations inquire, connecting to the revelation of God's plan for all nations through the Messiah, a core aspect of the mystery.
barnesRomans 16:25: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
Now to him - This and the two following verses are found in many manuscripts at the close of Romans 14 . Its proper place, however, is here; and the apostle thus concludes the whole Epistle with an ascription of praise. To him ... - To God; be glory; Romans 16:20. Is of power - Greek, Is ab…
jfbRomans 16:25: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
- Now to him that is of power—more simply, as in Jude 24, "to Him that is able."to stablish—confirm, or upholdyou, according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ—that is, in conformity with the truths of that Gospel which I preach, and not I only, but all to whom has been commi…
This final doxology isn't just a warm send-off; it highlights that the "mystery" revealed in the gospel—the inclusion of Gentiles—was a truth kept silent for ages, emphasizing God's strategic timing and the radical shift the gospel represents. It’s not just good news, but a long-hidden divine plan finally unveiled, meant to strengthen believers according to that specific revelation.
Paul concludes his letter with a powerful doxology, a praise to God, which emphasizes His ability to strengthen believers. This closing statement ties together the main themes of the letter—the gospel, the revelation of God's hidden plan, and the universal call to faith—which have been meticulously laid out and defended throughout.
Paul concludes his letter with a powerful doxology, a praise to God, which emphasizes His ability to strengthen believers. This closing statement ties together the main themes of the letter—the gospel, the revelation of God's hidden plan, and the universal call to faith—which have been meticulously laid out and defended throughout.
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings…" — This final doxology isn't just a warm send-off; it highlights that the "mystery" revealed in the gospel—the inclusion of Gentiles—was a truth kept silent for ages, emphasizing God's strategic timin…
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Last reviewed October 2026
