Romans 16:25-27, "The Mystery Revealed"

Paul finishes the letter almost the same way he began it. He preaches Jesus Christ and the revelation of the inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation. He begins, "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ". MacArthur writes, "Paul praises God for the gospel that establishes men. God is able, that is, has sufficient power, to establish those who trust in Him according to the true gospel that Paul, and every true preacher and teacher, have clearly set forth". Paul is reiterating to his readers that the gospel, the true gospel, the gospel that Paul holds dear to him and he has preached to all those he has come in contact with, is able to firmly root them in the truth. Paul is saying that the gospel he has is sufficient for salvation, and no other gospel that is preached will provide that. The gospel that Paul holds dear preaches "Jesus Christ". MacArthur writes, "The only gospel of God that establishes men is the gospel that proclaims Jesus Christ". This was Paul's life and work for the kingdom, spreading his gospel which was the preaching of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. This is what Paul began the letter with, and what he wanted them to remember as they finished his letter.

Paul continues, "according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past". The divine mystery to which Paul is referring, is the revelation that Gentiles are, and always have been, included in God's plan for salvation. The mystery refers to the fact that throughout the Old Testament, it was veiled that salvation would go to all who believed in Christ. It was originally thought by the Jews that they were God's one and only chosen race. However, with the gospel of Christ, Paul is preaching salvation to the Gentiles. God always knew this would be the plan, however, he had not clearly revealed it to them until now. Paul goes on, "but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations". Isa. 53:11 says, "the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities". In Jer. 31:31, 33 we read, "Behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will make a new convenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah . . . I will put my law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people". Through the "Scriptures" and through the "prophets" God had already explained this mystery to them, however, it was veiled that they may not understand it until now. MacArthur points out, "Jews had always thought that such predictions, whatever they may fully have meant, applied only to them, the chosen race of God . . . Even to God's inspired prophets under the Old Covenant, the full meaning of their prophecies was a mystery".

The goal of preaching Christ to the Jews and Gentiles, and the beautiful gospel that was now made clearly evident to the Gentiles, was for the "obedience of faith; to the only wise God". Paul took much pleasure in seeing God reveal this mystery to the Jews and Gentiles in such a way that they had become obedient to the faith. Paul had seen the faithfulness of God in changing hearts to obedience to His word. All this was made possible "through Jesus Christ" and His substitutionary atonement on the cross for all who would believe. All of these thoughts culminate together into a last doxology of Paul to close the letter, "Be the glory forever. Amen". Paul puts an exclamation to the excitement he has penned to the saints at Rome. He can't wait to see them and the faith which they have in Christ that brings Paul such wonderful pleasure. What an amazing thought to know he was an integral part in revealing this wonderful mystery to the Gentiles, and seeing the joy it brought the Jews who loved Christ.