As Paul concludes this magnificent letter to the church in Rome, he offers a doxology. This hymn of praise to God offers adoration for his power, his eternal plan and his wisdom. Paul begins with the power of God to establish, to strengthen believers. To establish and strengthen are part of the plan of God and lead to the obedience of faith. This passage is so important because it develops key elements of the message of the entire New Testament. The truth of Scripture comes down to the elements contained in this doxology: the power of God to save, the revelation of God to communicate truth, the transformation of people to obedient faith and the glory that God alone deserves for it all. As we consider these truths, believers should praise God for the gospel, as we obey in faith and proclaim him to others.
Throughout Romans, Paul offers a defense of what he believes and teachers about the gospel for these believers in Rome he has not yet met. Some of these believers may have been questioning him, his message, and how it relates to Judaism. Paul writes to explain at length the connection of Jesus, the gospel and to defend it, in spite of the rejection of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah by many Jews.
