not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith' (Hab. 2:3 -

But this provision is now `revealed', and in the hands of an inspired apostle

can be confirmed by such passages as Habakkuk 2:4, although the teaching does

not lie on the surface.  Again, having quoted many passages from the Old

Testament  Scriptures, the apostle says:

`But now (in contrast to the period "then") the righteousness of God,

apart from law, has been manifested (perfect tense) being borne witness

to (present tense) by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness

of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ' (Rom. 3:21,22).

Here the `manifestation' takes place before the `witness' can be borne

by Old Testament  prophets.  So in Romans 16:26, we read of something that

has been kept in silence, but which was then made manifest.

Let us set out this doxology so that we may the better consider it in detail.

A

a

Grace be with you.  Amen.

b

To Him Who is able to establish.

B1

Kata.  Gospel proclaimed.  According to my gospel.

B2

Kata.  Mystery manifested.  According to revelation

of mystery.

B3

Kata.  Made known.  According to commandment.

A

b

To God only wise.

a

Glory unto the ages.  Amen.

We observe that the section begins with `grace' and ends with `glory',

both the statements contained in it being sealed with an `Amen'.  The words

`to be able' are a translation of dunamai, which literally means `to be of

power'.  This is balanced by the only `wise' God, the two statements

revealing `the power of God and the wisdom of God' working together.

Salvation is not in view in the same sense as it is in Romans 1:16.  The

apostle here desires that those who are saved shall be established.  He had

desired this at the beginning of the epistle (Rom. 1:11), where, however, the

establishing was connected with `some spiritual gift'.  Here in Romans 16 the

establishing is associated with what the apostle calls `my gospel'.  This

expression `my gospel' is used three times by Paul, and if we consider the

context of each reference we shall be impressed with the magnitude of its

The first occurrence is in Romans 2:16.  The apostle is speaking of the

Gentile world, unevangelized and unenlightened by the law; a world left to

the voice of conscience and the witness of creation.  To argue from Romans 2

that anyone who patiently continues in well doing will be saved, whether he

believes the gospel or not, is to handle the Word of God deceitfully.

Obviously, where no gospel message has ever penetrated it cannot be believed

(Rom. 10:14), yet it is wrong to infer that Romans 2 teaches salvation by

works.  The truth is that salvation for any is neither by works, nor by

faith, but by the finished work of Christ.  The man who hears the gospel and