To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.## Introduction - In Plain Language: Praise and honor belong to the one true, wise God, and that glory comes through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. - Big idea: Paul closes his letter by ascribing everlasting glory to God—who alone is wise—through the work and person of Jesus Christ. - Key points: - This verse is a doxology: a short statement of praise that wraps up Paul’s argument in Romans. - The phrase “only wise God” highlights God’s unique source of wisdom and sovereignty. - “Through Jesus Christ” shows that God’s glory and wisdom are revealed and applied to us by Christ. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Romans 16:27 is the final verse of Paul’s letter to the Romans. It concludes a longer doxology (Romans 16:25–27) that brings the letter to a worshipful close. - Story timeline: Paul likely wrote Romans in the mid-50s AD (around 56–58), probably while in Corinth, and sent it to the church in Rome—a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile believers struggling with theology and unity. Paul is the speaker; the original audience is the Roman Christians and, by extension, the broader church. - Surrounding passage: - Romans 16:25–26: Paul praises God who can strengthen and reveal the mystery of the gospel that brings obedience of faith among all nations. - Romans 16:27: (this verse) crowns the doxology by attributing glory to God through Jesus Christ forever. - There is no verse after 16:27 in most Bibles; this is the letter’s final formal word—Amen. ## Explanation - Quick take: Paul ends Romans by lifting a short, confident praise to God as the unique, wise Lord, and insists that all glory belongs to God—and it comes to us and is shown forth through Jesus Christ for ever. - In Depth: - “To God only wise” (Greek: τῷ μόνῳ σοφῷ θεῷ) emphasizes God’s unique status as the true source of wisdom. Paul has argued throughout Romans about God’s righteousness, judgement, mercy, and plans—now he attributes ultimate wisdom to God alone. - “Be glory” (τὸ δόξαν) is an expression of giving honor, praise, and exaltation. It’s an ascription—Paul directs the church’s attention to worship. - “Through Jesus Christ” (διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) clarifies the means and center of God’s revelation and salvific action. God’s wisdom and glory are not abstract but are made known and accomplished in and through Jesus—his life, death, resurrection, and ongoing lordship. - “For ever” (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας) conveys the eternal scope—the praise is not temporary but enduring. - “Amen” closes the letter liturgically: “so be it,” affirming what has been said. - Theologically, the doxology ties together themes of revelation (God revealing the “mystery” of the gospel), the role of Christ as God’s agent, and the proper human response—glory and worship. ## Key Words - μόνος / μόνῳ (monos / mónōi) — “only, alone” (marks uniqueness or exclusivity). - σοφῷ (sophōi) — “wise” (refers to God’s perfect wisdom, not just cleverness). - δόξαν (doxan) — “glory” (honor, praise, the recognition of God’s worth). - διὰ (dia) — “through” (indicates agency or means—how God’s glory is expressed). ## Background - Literary/cultural note: Short doxologies were common in early Christian letters and Jewish worship. They summarize theological reflection and turn it into praise. - Historical: Romans addresses complex issues—law, grace, Jew/Gentile tensions. Ending with a doxology re-centers the whole letter around God’s wisdom and glory rather than human disputes. - Textual note (accessible): Some ancient manuscripts place Romans’ doxology in different places (for example, after Romans 14), showing early variations in how the letter circulated. That doesn’t change the main point: early Christians used these words to praise God. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God is the one true source of wisdom; all understanding is ultimately rooted in Him. - Jesus Christ is the channel through which God’s wisdom and glory are revealed and realized. - Worship (giving glory) is the appropriate response to God’s saving work—doctrine leads to doxology. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Let your career ambitions be framed by thanksgiving to the God who is wise—seek wisdom from Him, and give credit to God when things go well rather than only seeking personal praise. - For parents: Teach children to see God as the wise Lord who guides families; lead them not only by rules but by pointing to Jesus as the way God’s wisdom and love come to us. - For seekers: This verse directs you toward a God whose wisdom is not distant; the claim is that God’s wisdom is known through Jesus—investigate who Jesus is and why Christians connect him with God’s wisdom. - For leaders: Remember that authority and clever plans are secondary to submitting to the wisdom of God revealed through Christ; lead with humility and point people to God’s glory, not your own. - Reflection questions: - What does it look like for me to give “glory” to God in my daily life? - In what ways have I sought wisdom apart from God, and how might I turn to Christ for guidance? - How do I show that Jesus is the means by which God’s wisdom and goodness are known? - Short prayer: Lord God, You alone are wise—help me to honor You and to see Your wisdom revealed in Jesus; may my life point others to Your glory. Amen. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” - ESV: “to the only wise God be glory through Jesus Christ forever! Amen.” - NIV: “to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” - NRSV: “to the only God be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Note: some NRSV printings read “to the only wise God”) - NLT (paraphrase): “All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” - Why differences matter: - “Only wise God” vs “only God” vs a paraphrase like NLT’s “All glory to him” reflects small differences in emphasis. The Greek most naturally supports “the only wise God,” highlighting God’s unique wisdom. A paraphrase like NLT prioritizes readability and the flow of praise but loses the explicit “wise” descriptor. Translators balance literal accuracy and contemporary clarity; readers should notice whether a version emphasizes God’s uniqueness, His wisdom, or simply the act of giving praise. ## FAQs - Q: Does “only wise” mean God is the only one who can be wise, or that He is uniquely wise in a special way? - Short answer: It means God’s wisdom is unique and ultimate. In a monotheistic understanding, God alone is the source of perfect wisdom—others may have knowledge or cleverness, but God’s wisdom is absolute, deep, and saving. Paul has argued throughout Romans that God’s purposes—even those that seem mysterious or paradoxical—are wise. Calling God “only wise” is not an insult to human intelligence; it’s a reminder that human wisdom is limited and that God’s wisdom, shown supremely in Christ, is final and authoritative. - Q: What does “through Jesus Christ” add to this statement—does it mean Jesus is separate from God’s glory? - Short answer: “Through Jesus Christ” locates how God’s glory is revealed and accomplished. It doesn’t separate Jesus from God; rather, it affirms that the revelation of God’s wisdom and the means by which people receive God’s glory is in and through Jesus. For Paul, Christ is the agent of God’s saving work—God’s wisdom is fully expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. So the phrase connects God’s glory to the person and work of Christ; worship of God is rightly centered on what God has done in Jesus. ## Cross References - Jude 25 — A nearly identical doxology: ascribes glory to the only God through Jesus Christ forever. (Direct liturgical parallel.) - Ephesians 3:21 — “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.” (Similar focus on God’s glory through Christ across time.) - 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30 — Christ is called “the power of God and the wisdom of God” and our wisdom from God. (Links Christ with God’s wisdom.) - Romans 11:33–36 — Paul’s earlier praise of God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge. (Same theme of ascribing all to God.) ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): - Most commentators treat Romans 16:25–27 as Paul’s grand doxology: a concluding hymn that summarizes key themes—God’s wisdom, the revelation of the gospel, and Christ’s central role. The line “only wise God” is understood theologically as a statement of God’s exclusive and ultimate wisdom. Some textual scholars note variant placements of the doxology in early manuscripts, which highlights the fluidity of letter transmission in the early church but does not alter the theological thrust: praise to God via Christ. - 3–4 bullets for group study: - Read Romans 16:25–27 together; identify the themes repeated throughout Romans (justice, mercy, righteousness) and discuss how they converge in this doxology. - Compare Romans 16:27 with Jude 25 and Ephesians 3:21. What similar language do you find, and what does that suggest about early Christian worship language? - Discuss “only wise.” What do people in your community look to for wisdom, and how might Paul’s phrase challenge or redirect those sources? - Pray and create a short modern doxology for your group that names God’s wisdom and Jesus’ role in your everyday life. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - Jude 25 — Almost the same closing doxology; compare wording to see how early Christians used similar liturgical language. - Ephesians 3:21 — Similar affirmation of God’s glory in Christ across generations; contrasts focus on “in the church and in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30 — Connects Jesus explicitly with God’s wisdom; helps read Romans 16:27 as part of Paul’s broader christology (Christ as God’s wisdom). ## Talk to the Bible - Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore how this verse connects to your life and other Scriptures. - Suggested prompts to ask the AI: - “Show me other passages where Paul calls God ‘wise’ or links wisdom to Christ.” - “How does Romans 16:27 relate to Jesus being called the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians?” - “Write a short modern doxology inspired by Romans 16:27 that I can use to close a meeting.”
