Soli Deo Gloria
Romans 11:33–36
To him be glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36
Romans 11:36 is the first doxology in the letter of Romans. But it is followed by another at the end, which is like it, though more complete: “To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen” (16:27). It is significant that both doxologies speak of the glory of God, and that forever. Here are two questions to help us understand them.
1. Who is to be glorified?
The answer is: the sovereign God. For the most part, we start with man and man’s needs. But Paul always started with God and he ended with him too.
2. Why should God be glorified?
The answer is that “from him and through him and to him are all things,” particularly the work of salvation. Why is man saved? It is not because of anything in men and women themselves but because of God’s grace. It is because God has elected us to it. God has predestinated his elect people to salvation from before the foundation of the world. How is man saved? The answer is by the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus, the very Son of God. We could not save ourselves, but God saved us through the vicarious, atoning death of Jesus Christ. By what power are we brought to faith in Jesus? The answer is by the power of the Holy Spirit through what theologians call effectual calling. God’s call quickens us to new life. How can we become holy? Holiness is not something that originates in us, is achieved by us, or is sustained by us. It is due to God’s joining us to Jesus so that we have become different persons than we were before he did it. We have died to sin and been made alive to righteousness. Now there is no direction for us to go in the Christian life but forward. Where are we headed? Answer: to heaven, because Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us. How can we be sure of arriving there? It is because God, who began the work of our salvation, will continue it until we do. God never begins a work that he does not eventually bring to a happy and complete conclusion.
“To him be glory forever. Amen.”
So let us give God the glory, remembering that God himself says: “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” (Isa. 42:8). And, “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another” (48:11).
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.