As we close out the Book of Romans, we find Paul ending on a hymn of praise to God. It is a powerful reminder to finish strong and finish well. Paul’s final words are not just a conclusion to his letter; they are an invitation for us to reflect on God’s greatness and respond with worship. Our faith journey is not just about persistence — it is about how we finish. Do we cross the finish line with praise on our lips and glory given to God?
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of individuals who finished strong by praising God. Job, despite unimaginable suffering, ended his story praising God for His plans. David’s final words in 2 Samuel 23 are a testament to God’s faithfulness. Even martyrs like Stephen and Polycarp faced their last moments with worship, glorifying God until the end.
In Romans 16:25-27, Paul concludes his letter with a doxology. After expounding on the depths of the gospel in the first 11 chapters and offering practical applications for life in chapters 12–15, Paul now directs our attention to worship. His closing words remind us that the gospel’s ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God. As we reflect on this passage, let us consider how we can live lives that finish strong — anchored in faith, filled with gratitude, and marked by praise.
1. Praise God for His Gospel Work of Helping You to Stand Firm
In these verses, Paul reminds us of one critical truth: God establishes us. In this context, the term “establish” comes from the Greek word sterizo, a builder’s term that means to support or prop up, ensuring a structure stands firm and strong. Spiritually, this is exactly what God does for us. He gives us the foundation we need to endure life’s storms, resist temptation, and stand strong in the faith.
Life can feel like a whirlwind — whether it’s family struggles, financial hardships, or health crises. These moments can shake us to our core, but Paul reminds us not to fear. If your foundation is in Christ, you are secure. The same God who saved you continues to sustain you, holding you steady even in the fiercest storms. Paul’s encouragement in Ephesians 6 echoes this truth. He urges believers to be “strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might,” reminding us that our strength does not come from ourselves but from God.
God’s establishing work also equips us to stand against temptation. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 that we cannot resist sin in our own strength. But God is faithful and provides a way out through Christ. Whether it is the temptation to compromise, doubt, or fall into sin, the gospel reminds us that victory is not found in our ability — it is found in Christ’s power working in us.
Paul begins this passage with the declaration, “Now to Him who is able.” This phrase reminds us of God’s boundless ability — not only to establish us but to do abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). This is the God who secures us, sustains us, and strengthens us through the power of the gospel. As believers, we stand on the firm foundation of Christ. This foundation is not of our own making — it is the work of God through Jesus. For this, we owe Him our unending praise.
2. Praise God for His Wisdom
Paul concludes his doxology by celebrating one of God’s most profound attributes: His wisdom. In verse 27, he praises “the only wise God,” pointing us to a truth we must never take for granted — God alone is wise, and His wisdom is unmatched. We often confuse human intelligence or cleverness with wisdom, but God’s wisdom is on an entirely different level. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours. His wisdom is categorically different. While we are limited by human perspective, God sees all things — past, present, and future — and orchestrates them perfectly for His purposes.
This divine wisdom is most clearly displayed in the gospel. Consider how God chose to solve humanity’s greatest problem: sin. Who among us would have imagined the answer would be the sacrificial death of His own Son? The cross, which appears as folly to the world, is in fact the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). What looked like defeat to onlookers was actually the greatest victory in history, as Christ overcame sin and death for all who believed.
Recognizing God’s wisdom invites us to respond with humility, dependence, trust, and worship:
- Humility: We realize how utterly dependent we are on God’s guidance and grace. Without His wisdom, we are lost.
- Dependence: His plans, though often mysterious to us, are always good and trustworthy.
- Trust: We can rest knowing that His purposes will never fail. Even when we do not understand, we can rely on His perfect will.
- Worship: God’s wisdom and goodness deserve our highest praise.
As Paul wraps up his letter to the Romans, his final phrase sums up our ultimate response: “To Him be the glory forever.” This is the cry of those who have experienced the wisdom of God through the gospel. It is a call to live lives of unending worship, continually praising the God whose plans are perfect, whose love is steadfast, and whose wisdom is unsearchable. May we join Paul in this doxology, celebrating the God who reveals His wisdom to us and invites us into a relationship with Him through Christ. Truly, He alone is worthy of all glory, forever and ever.
