Glory to the Only Wise God
Romans 16:25–27
To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:27

Think carefully about this last word of the letter. What does it mean to say, “Amen”?

Amen is a wonderfully rich word. It is found in nearly half the languages of the world, and it refers to what is true, firm, or faithful. In its intransitive form it means to be shored up—to be firm, unshaken. It means to be faithful, trustworthy, sure, something that one can lean on or build upon. In this sense it is used as a name for God in Isaiah 65:16, though the New International Version translates it by the word truth. The verse says, “Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth.” But the Hebrew text actually says “by the God of the Amen.” It is a way of saying that God is a sure and solid foundation for those who lean upon him. He is utterly reliable.

We use this word at the end of something God says. In other words, when God says something, he begins with “Amen, amen”*: “What I am about to say is true; pay attention.” For our part, we hear the words, repeat them, and then say, “Amen,” meaning that we agree with God’s declaration. We set our seal to our belief that the Word of God is true and that he is faithful.

That is what Paul is doing as he comes to the end of Romans and offers these last words of doxology. He is setting his seal to God’s truth, saying that he believes God’s Word. Can you do that? Can you add your “Amen” to what Paul has written?

For my part that is what I am determined to do. There is much in this world that I do not understand. There is much even about the ways of God that I do not understand. But what I do understand I believe, and to God’s declaration of these eternal truths I say a hearty, “Amen.” “None is righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). Amen! “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (v. 23). Amen! “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23). Amen! “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor any powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:38–39). Amen!

“Then all the people said, ‘Amen!’” (1 Chron. 16:36).

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.