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,
Original Language Analysis
Τῷ
G3588
Τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στηρίξαι
to stablish
G4741
στηρίξαι
to stablish
Strong's:
G4741
Word #:
5 of 20
to set fast, i.e., (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
6 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κήρυγμα
the preaching
G2782
κήρυγμα
the preaching
Strong's:
G2782
Word #:
12 of 20
a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
13 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
15 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
μυστηρίου
of the mystery
G3466
μυστηρίου
of the mystery
Strong's:
G3466
Word #:
17 of 20
a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)
χρόνοις
since the world began
G5550
χρόνοις
since the world began
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
18 of 20
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
Cross References
1 Corinthians 2:7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:2 Thessalonians 2:14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 4:3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:Ephesians 3:9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:Acts 9:20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.Acts 20:32And 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.1 Corinthians 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;Matthew 13:17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Historical Context
Mystery (mystērion) religions were popular in the Greco-Roman world—Eleusinian mysteries, Isis cult, Mithraism—offering secret knowledge to initiates. Paul redefines 'mystery': not hidden gnosis for elite but God's plan revealed publicly through Christ's death-resurrection and proclaimed to all. This 'mystery' was hinted in OT (prophets foresaw Gentile inclusion, Isaiah 49:6) but fully revealed in the gospel age. Romans unpacks this mystery: Jew-Gentile unity through faith in Christ, apart from law. The doxology celebrates God's wisdom in orchestrating salvation history to climax in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God is able to 'establish you according to my gospel' (<em>kata to euangelion stērixai</em>)—how does gospel truth stabilize believers?
- How is the 'mystery' (<em>mystērion</em>) of Jew-Gentile unity in Christ central to Paul's gospel and Romans' argument?
- What 'mysteries' of God's plan have been revealed through Christ that were hidden in the OT—and how does this shape your reading of Scripture?
Analysis & Commentary
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel—Tō de dynamenō hymas stērixai kata to euangelion mou (τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ ὑμᾶς στηρίξαι κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου). Paul's doxology (vv. 25-27) crowns Romans with worship. Dynamenō (δύναμαι, being able) emphasizes God's power—He is capable. Stērixai (στηρίζω, establish/strengthen) was Paul's pastoral goal (1:11, 'that I may impart some spiritual gift to establish you'). Kata to euangelion mou (κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου, according to my gospel) doesn't mean Paul invented a new gospel but that he proclaims the apostolic gospel entrusted to him (Galatians 1:11-12, 'received by revelation of Jesus Christ').
And the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery—Kai kērygmatos Iēsou Christou, kata apokalypsin mystēriou (καὶ κηρύγματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν μυστηρίου). Kērygma (κήρυγμα, proclamation) is the heralded message. Apokalypsis mystēriou (ἀποκάλυψις μυστήριον, revelation of mystery) refers to God's hidden plan now disclosed: Jew and Gentile united in Christ (11:25-26; Ephesians 3:3-6, 'Gentiles fellow heirs'). Mystērion (μυστήριον, mystery) isn't esoteric secret but previously hidden truth now revealed through the gospel.