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Advent · Fourth Sunday in Advent · Year B

Romans 16:25-27

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December 20, 2026

St Paul Preaching at Athens, Raphael
St Paul Preaching at Athens, Raphael, c. 1515–16Royal Collection, on long-term loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
One of Raphael's cartoons for the Sistine tapestries, full-size designs in bodycolour that have outlived the tapestries in fame. Paul stands with both hands raised before a sceptical crowd; Dionysius and Damaris are picked out among them.The revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles.RaphaelRaphael Sanzio of Urbino (1483-1520), the youngest of the three who defined the High Renaissance. He died on Good Friday at thirty-seven.Royal Collection, on long-term loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, LondonThe Raphael Cartoons belong to the Crown and have hung in a purpose-built gallery at the V&A since 1865, where they can be seen at the scale they were drawn.Royal Collection, on long-term loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:26-38Lk 1:26-38
EpistleRom. 16:25-27Rom 16:25-27
Old Testament2 Sam. 7:1-11, 162 Sm 7:1-11, 16
PsalterPs. 89:1-5 (19-29)Ps 89:1-5 (19-29)

Overview & Insights

“To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!” (Romans 16:27)

Phoebe, Paul’s patron, will deliver Paul’s covenant letter and have it read to the Roman Christians. Phoebe’s authority as patron and deaconess will reinforce the reading’s solemnity. The Roman Christians should respond to Paul’s letter by providing hospitality for Phoebe and joining their resources with hers to launch Paul’s mission to Spain.

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Take it further: Romans 16:25-27

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 16:25-27Commentary on Rom 16:25-27 Working Preacher

Lutheran exegesis of the closing doxology that ties God's glory to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:25-27 CommentaryRom 16:25-27 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching notes on the mystery now revealed and God who strengthens the church.

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Romans Chapter 16Enduring Word Bible Commentary Rom Chapter 16 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical study of Paul's benediction to the only wise God.

Romans 16:25-27 CommentaryRom 16:25-27 Commentary Precept Austin

In-depth notes with Greek word studies on the revealed mystery and the doxology.

Romans 16:25 CommentariesRom 16:25 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators collected on the power of God to establish believers by the gospel.

Background & Word Study

Romans (Enter the Bible)Rom (Enter the Bible) Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on the letter's argument, structure, and themes.

Book of Romans OverviewBook of Rom Overview BibleProject

Animated overview mapping the flow of Paul's letter to Rome.

Romans 16:25 InterlinearRom 16:25 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the closing doxology.

The Church Fathers

Romans 16 (Catena Bible)Rom 16 (Catena Bible) Catena

Patristic and medieval comments on the chapter drawn from the church fathers.

Questions preachers ask

What is Paul's closing doxology?

Paul ends Romans praising the God who can strengthen believers by the gospel, the mystery once hidden and now revealed to bring all nations to the obedience of faith.

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