DAVID FRAMPTON
Romans 16:25-27
This is not a prayer of petition, but a prayer of worship. The Scriptures continually teach the importance of worship. Worship means more than saying, “Thank you,” though certainly that is part of it. Worship is the recognition of the worth of God in all parts of our lives. This involves praise for who and what God is. Our Lord taught this in his model prayer; may we also learn it in this place.
1. Ways in which God is addressed.
[1 ] As “he who is able”.
(1) This letters begins and ends with an emphasis on God’s ability or power. See 1:4,16.
(2) God is praised for his ability to establish the saints at Rome.
{1} The need is suggested by the context. 16:17-20
{2} The meaning of establish (sthrizw), literally, set up or fix (firmly); figuratively,
establish or strengthen.
{3} This is the work of God - Rm 16:25; 2 Th 2:17; 3:3; 1 Pt 5:10; the work of the Christian ministry
- Lk 22:32; Rm 1:11; 1 Th 3:2; the individual - Js 5:8; and the church - Rev 3:2.
(3) We ought to worship God for his ability to strengthen his people in this world of difficulties.
Project: Meditate on Psalm 62, and then make it your prayer to God.
[2] As the “eternal God”. We need to rejoice in this attribute of God. He has always been, always is, and always endures forever. Contrast him with ourselves and regain a true view of our significance.
Project: Meditate on Psalm 90.
[3] As the “only wise God.” Only he could devise the plan of salvation whereby rebellious people could be restored to perfect fellowship with him forever.
Project: Meditate on Rm 11:33-36.
2. The wonder of God’s work: the way in which he acts to save and to establish his people.
[1] By the gospel – the proclamation of Jesus Christ.
(1) These two help define and clarify each other. From one view it is the good news,
from another it is the preaching of the truth of Jesus Christ.
(2) Contrast: “Here we see in what a Christian is to be established, namely, in the faith according
to the gospel. Men may be established in error, they may die for human traditions, and have
a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge; but this is of no value.” [Haldane]
(3) “my gospel” – in three ways: by personal attachment, in contrast to false gospels preached by
others (2 Cor 11:4), and as a preacher of the gospel.
(4) Proclamation of Jesus Christ – of his person, his word, and his work (as prophet, priest and king).
[2] In conformity with the revelation of the mystery.
(1) This is the mystery of the Messiah and the salvation he gives. 1 Tm 3:16
(2) now revealed – there is now a clearer revelation of God (contrast Ex 33:18-23 with 2 Cor 4:6) and
this speaks also of the salvation of the Gentiles and their union with believing Israel as one
people of God. Eph 3:2ff
[3] For the obedience of faith.
(1) To obey the gospel is to believe.
(2) True faith produces obedience.
3. The desire of the Saint’s heart — that God might be glorified. “By the ‘glory of God’ is meant the manifestation of Himself in the exercise of His attributes, the display of his perfections.” [Pink] Paul is praying that these would be made known.
4.The necessity of Christ’s mediation.
5.The Amen of worship.
.
This is not a prayer of petition, but a prayer of worship. The Scriptures continually teach the importance of worship. Worship means more than saying, “Thank you,” though certainly that is part of it. Worship is the recognition of the worth of God in all parts of our lives. This involves praise for who and what God is. Our Lord taught this in his model prayer; may we also learn it in this place.
1. Ways in which God is addressed.
[1 ] As “he who is able”.
(1) This letters begins and ends with an emphasis on God’s ability or power. See 1:4,16.
(2) God is praised for his ability to establish the saints at Rome.
{1} The need is suggested by the context. 16:17-20
{2} The meaning of establish (sthrizw), literally, set up or fix (firmly); figuratively,
establish or strengthen.
{3} This is the work of God - Rm 16:25; 2 Th 2:17; 3:3; 1 Pt 5:10; the work of the Christian ministry
- Lk 22:32; Rm 1:11; 1 Th 3:2; the individual - Js 5:8; and the church - Rev 3:2.
(3) We ought to worship God for his ability to strengthen his people in this world of difficulties.
Project: Meditate on Psalm 62, and then make it your prayer to God.
[2] As the “eternal God”. We need to rejoice in this attribute of God. He has always been, always is, and always endures forever. Contrast him with ourselves and regain a true view of our significance.
Project: Meditate on Psalm 90.
[3] As the “only wise God.” Only he could devise the plan of salvation whereby rebellious people could be restored to perfect fellowship with him forever.
Project: Meditate on Rm 11:33-36.
2. The wonder of God’s work: the way in which he acts to save and to establish his people.
[1] By the gospel – the proclamation of Jesus Christ.
(1) These two help define and clarify each other. From one view it is the good news,
from another it is the preaching of the truth of Jesus Christ.
(2) Contrast: “Here we see in what a Christian is to be established, namely, in the faith according
to the gospel. Men may be established in error, they may die for human traditions, and have
a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge; but this is of no value.” [Haldane]
(3) “my gospel” – in three ways: by personal attachment, in contrast to false gospels preached by
others (2 Cor 11:4), and as a preacher of the gospel.
(4) Proclamation of Jesus Christ – of his person, his word, and his work (as prophet, priest and king).
[2] In conformity with the revelation of the mystery.
(1) This is the mystery of the Messiah and the salvation he gives. 1 Tm 3:16
(2) now revealed – there is now a clearer revelation of God (contrast Ex 33:18-23 with 2 Cor 4:6) and
this speaks also of the salvation of the Gentiles and their union with believing Israel as one
people of God. Eph 3:2ff
[3] For the obedience of faith.
(1) To obey the gospel is to believe.
(2) True faith produces obedience.
3. The desire of the Saint’s heart — that God might be glorified. “By the ‘glory of God’ is meant the manifestation of Himself in the exercise of His attributes, the display of his perfections.” [Pink] Paul is praying that these would be made known.
4.The necessity of Christ’s mediation.
5.The Amen of worship.
.