Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 3 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 3 of 5)

The Witness of the Scriptures

"...But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God..." — Romans 16:26a

The Doctrine: Scriptural Confirmation

Paul now adds another layer to the unveiling of the mystery: its manifestation is not only by divine decree but also "by the scriptures of the prophets" (Romans 16:26). This phrase emphasizes that the revelation of the mystery is consistent with, and confirmed by, the prophetic writings of Scripture. The doctrine here is one of Scriptural Harmony—the truth that the mystery, though hidden in God, does not contradict the prophetic record but stands in perfect alignment with it. The everlasting God commands its revelation, and the Scriptures bear witness to its validity (Romans 1:2–3; Acts 10:43).

Extracting the Truth in Context

The phrase "but now is made manifest" continues the dispensational contrast Paul has been drawing (Colossians 1:26–27). What was once hidden is now revealed, and this revelation is not detached from the written Word. The "scriptures of the prophets" serve as a validating witness, showing that the mystery fits within the broader framework of God’s eternal plan. Importantly, Paul is not saying the prophets themselves understood or foretold the mystery (Ephesians 3:4–5); rather, the revealed mystery now sheds light on the prophetic writings, demonstrating their coherence with God’s eternal purpose. In context, this means that the believer’s stability (Romans 16:25) and understanding of the mystery (Romans 16:25b) are reinforced by the authority of Scripture, which stands as a divine testimony to the manifestation of God’s plan.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 2 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 2 of 5)

The Revelation of the Mystery

"...according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest..." — Romans 16:25b–26a

The Transition of Ages

In this portion of the passage, Paul introduces the concept of the "mystery" (mysterion). In the context of Romans and the wider New Testament, a mystery is not a confusing riddle to be solved by human intellect, but a sacred secret that was once hidden in the counsel of God and has now been revealed by His decree. The doctrine here is one of Progressive Revelation: the truth that God did not reveal His entire plan for humanity at once, but unfolded it over time, reaching its peak in the person of Jesus Christ.

Extracting the Truth in Context

Paul emphasizes two distinct timeframes: "since the world began" and "but now." By stating that this mystery was "kept secret," he is acknowledging the period of history where God’s plan was present in seed form but not fully understood. To understand this in context, one must contrast it with the nature of prophecy; while the Bible records that "prophecy was spoken since the world began" regarding the coming King and His earthly kingdom, this specific "mystery" was strictly "kept secret since the world began." This distinction reveals a dispensational shift: prophecy dealt with what was foretold to man, whereas the mystery dealt with what was hid in God. This manifestation is not a change in God’s mind, but the scheduled fulfillment of His eternal purpose. In the context of the whole passage, this revelation is the very content of the "preaching of Jesus Christ" mentioned previously. While the entire plan of God is to preach Jesus Christ, we must recognize that we today are to preach Him according to the revelation of the mystery, which is a very specific gospel. This provides the intellectual and spiritual substance that God uses to "stablish" the believer; we are made firm by understanding that we are part of a plan that spans from eternity past to the present day.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 1 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 1 of 5)

The Power that Establishes the Believer

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ..." — Romans 16:25a

The Doctrine: Divine Establishment

In the closing of his letter to the Romans, Paul shifts from the logic of justification to a final declaration of God’s sovereignty. The Greek word for "stablish" (sterizo) means to fix something so firmly in place that it becomes immovable. Within the context of this entire letter, Paul is teaching that spiritual stability is a work of God, not an achievement of man. After sixteen chapters of explaining the depth of human sin and the riches of God's grace, Paul concludes that the only way a believer can remain firm in the "obedience of faith" is through the external power of God.

Extracting the Truth in Context

This "stablishing" does not happen in a vacuum. Note the specific boundaries Paul sets: "according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ." God does not stabilize us through vague spirituality or emotional experiences; He uses the objective truth of the Gospel. This is the same power Paul referenced in Romans 1:16—"for it is the power of God unto salvation." Furthermore, to be stablished, one must be anchored in the "preaching of Jesus Christ." This isn't just preaching about Him; it is the proclamation that He is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. In context, Paul is asserting that your stability is directly tied to your understanding of the Gospel he has just spent sixteen chapters explaining. If you are not grounded in the doctrine of Christ, you cannot be "stablished."