Romans 16:26
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Original Language Analysis
φανερωθέντος
is made manifest
G5319
φανερωθέντος
is made manifest
Strong's:
G5319
Word #:
1 of 20
to render apparent (literally or figuratively)
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
3 of 20
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
διά
by
G1223
διά
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
4 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
γραφῶν
the scriptures
G1124
γραφῶν
the scriptures
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
6 of 20
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
κατ'
according
G2596
κατ'
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
8 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐπιταγὴν
to the commandment
G2003
ἐπιταγὴν
to the commandment
Strong's:
G2003
Word #:
9 of 20
an injunction or decree; by implication, authoritativeness
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰωνίου
of the everlasting
G166
αἰωνίου
of the everlasting
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
11 of 20
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὑπακοὴν
the obedience
G5218
ὑπακοὴν
the obedience
Strong's:
G5218
Word #:
14 of 20
attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission
πίστεως
of faith
G4102
πίστεως
of faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
15 of 20
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 1:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:Romans 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,Galatians 3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.Colossians 1:26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:Romans 15:4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.Romans 1:2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)1 Timothy 1:17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.2 Timothy 1:10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Historical Context
Paul's theology integrates OT and gospel: the mystery was 'kept secret' yet 'witnessed by the law and prophets' (3:21). Israel's story anticipated Christ—types, prophecies, promises pointed forward. Yet only in Christ's death-resurrection did the full meaning emerge: Gentiles included without becoming Jews (Acts 15), justification by faith apart from law (3:21-31), Israel's hardening serving Gentile salvation (11:11-12), ethnic hostility abolished (Ephesians 2:14-16). Church fathers (Irenaeus, Tertullian) defended Christianity against Marcion (who rejected OT) by showing gospel continuity with prophetic Scriptures. Romans ends as it began (1:2): the gospel rooted in OT, revealed in Christ, proclaimed to all nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the gospel as 'kept secret...but now manifest' (<em>sesigēmenou...phanerōthentos</em>) shape your reading of OT prophecy and promise?
- What role do 'the scriptures of the prophets' (<em>graphōn prophētikōn</em>) play in establishing the gospel's credibility and continuity with God's eternal plan?
- How is 'obedience of faith' (<em>hypakoē pisteōs</em>) both the goal of the gospel (v. 26) and its beginning (1:5)—what does this teach about conversion and sanctification?
Analysis & Commentary
Which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest—Chronois aiōniois sesigēmenou, phanerōthentos de nyn (χρόνοις αἰωνίοις σεσιγημένου, φανερωθέντος δὲ νῦν). Chronois aiōniois (χρόνος αἰώνιος, eternal times) means ages past—God's plan existed eternally but was hidden. Sesigēmenou (σιγάω, kept silent) uses perfect participle—having been silenced, kept secret. Phanerōthentos de nyn (φανερόω δὲ νῦν, but now made manifest) marks the eschatological 'now'—Christ's coming inaugurated the age of revelation. What prophets longed to see (1 Peter 1:10-12) believers now understand clearly.
And by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith—Dia te graphōn prophētikōn, kat' epitagēn tou aiōniou theou, eis hypakoēn pisteōs eis panta ta ethnē gnōristhentos (διά τε γραφῶν προφητικῶν, κατ' ἐπιταγὴν τοῦ αἰωνίου θεοῦ, εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη γνωρισθέντος). Graphōn prophētikōn (γραφή προφητικός, prophetic Scriptures) grounds the gospel in OT witness (1:2, 'promised before by his prophets'). Kat' epitagēn (κατ' ἐπιταγή, according to command) indicates divine commission. Eis panta ta ethnē (εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, to all nations) fulfills the Abrahamic promise (Genesis 12:3, 'all families of the earth blessed'). Eis hypakoēn pisteōs (εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως, for obedience of faith) echoes 1:5—the gospel's goal is faithful obedience from all peoples.