Romans 16:25

Romans 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,

a. NLT: Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.

b. NIV: Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

c. YLT: And to Him who is able to establish you, according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret, in the times of the ages having been kept silent,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages,

e. Worrell Translation: Now to Him Who is able to establish you, according to my Gospel and the proclaimation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept in silence during eternal ages,

1. “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel…”

a. Now [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. to him that is of power [1410 * dunamai] [Strong:  of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.]

c. stablish [4741 * sterizo] [Strong: from a presumed derivative of 2476 (like 4731); to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm:--fix, (e-)stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen.]

d. you [5209 * humas] [Strong: accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]

e. according [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

f. to my [3450 * mou] [Strong: the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

g. gospel [2098 * euaggelion] [Strong: from the same as 2097; a good message, i.e. the gospel:--gospel.]

2. “…and the preaching of Jesus Christ…”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the preaching [2782 * kerugma] [Strong: from 2784; a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself):--preaching.]

c. Jesus [2424 * Iesous] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.]

d. Christ [5547 * Christos] [Strong: from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

1). The Apostle Paul is declaring that God has the power, the ability to establish, confirm, and strengthen us, according the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, and exactly as the examples given to us in the Word. God’s Word, the Incarnate Christ Jesus has the ability within Himself to perform and carry out what it says.

a). Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

b). God’s word as seed will reproduce after itself.

3“…according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”   

a. according to [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

b. the revelation [602 * apokalupsis] [Strong: from 601; disclosure:--appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.]

c. of the mystery [3466 * musterion] [Strong:  from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):--mystery.]

d. which was kept secret [4601 * sigao] [Strong: from 4602; to keep silent (transitively or intransitively):--keep close (secret, silence), hold peace.]

e. since…began [5550 * chronoa] [Strong:  of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from 2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from 165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:--+ years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while.]

f. the world [166 * aionios] [Strong: aionios] [Strong: from 165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).]

1). The message of the gospel and its principles are older than the earth.

a). 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

b). Matthew 13:34, 35 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

2). The key to becoming established in the Word depends upon the “revelation” of the Word, this is exactly what the verse says. Do I want to become what God’s word says I am? I need a revelation. The inheritance that God says is mine does not just fall in my lap, it does not “just happen”.

a). Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

3). The inheritance that God’s word says is mine will only come when I build up myself in the word of God’s grace and get a revelation of that word.

a). 1 Peter 1:10-13 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

4). The  above passage is not referring to the second coming of Christ, it is talking about a revelation by the Spirit through the Word.

a). 2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

b). knowledge [1922 * epignosis] [Zodhiates: It is more intensive that gnosis (1108), knowledge, because it expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner. In the N.T., it often refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement.]

c). The knowledge that Peter referred to in this verse is a deeper knowledge, it is a knowledge the Spirit of God given through revelation, their hearts are hungry, their hearts cry out for it, knowing there is only one place to get it, the throne of God. The definition bears repeating. “…it expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner…”, and it  “…refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement.” Through this “knowledge” His divine power gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness and through this knowledge all the exceeding great and precious promises are given to us, and it comes through revelation.

5). This is why the Apostle Paul prayed for the church to get a revelation of the Spirit.

a). Ephesians 1:15-23  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.