Doxology, Rom. 11:33-36
Paul has spent 11 chapters of Romans explaining the universal need of salvation and the beauty of God’s plan to save us through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every individual of responsible age has sinned. There is no one righteous (right with God) on his own. All segments of humanity have sinned. No group of people is better than any other. Sin is the common denominator. The good news is that God has a plan for the whole world.
As Paul concludes the doctrinal portion of his letter to Rome, he ends chapter 11 with an outburst of praise, a doxology. Paul extols God’s wisdom and judgments. He makes use of Isa. 40:13 and Job 35:7, 41:11 in doing so. The Old Testament prophets and poets knew the majesty of God and caught a glimpse of what would be revealed in the time of the Messiah.
All that we know of God contributes to our amazement at his goodness toward us. We cannot begin to understand the greatness of God. The fact that God chose to save us despite our rebellious ways is beyond our comprehension. As Job and his friends tried to hash out the matter of theodicy (God’s justice in the light of human suffering), God replied that no one is his counselor. No human has contributed to God’s learning or wisdom. Further, no one has given to God and obligated God for blessing in return. God owes us nothing but gives us everything! Grace.
“For from him and through him and to him are all things” (11:36). There is no explanation for our existence without God, the Creator. Nothing else makes sense. God created a beautiful world and populated it with people who owe him everything. This is God’s world to do with as he pleases. How marvelous that it pleases God to save us!
“To him be the glory forever!” (11:36). Numerous songs make use of the words of our text. When we sing these, we should be reminded of Paul’s letter to Rome. We learn so much of the greatness of God in this letter. Therefore, let us glorify him. Amen.
My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of the book of Acts. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.
