Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 16:26
But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
26. now ] In the days of Messiah, and in Him as the Propitiation. Cp. Col 1:26.
by the scriptures, &c.] Lit. by means of (the) prophetic scriptures. This Epistle, and e.g. Acts 13, are the best commentary on these words. The O. T., as the great prediction of Messiah and preparation for Him, was the text and the warrant of His Apostles wherever they went, and that for Gentiles as much as for Jews. When the Gentiles previously knew nothing of the O. T. the preaching would, of course, not take the O. T. as its starting-point; (see St Paul’s discourse at Athens;) but even in such cases it would bring forward the Prophecies as soon as possible, both as its credentials and its text. We have heard this verse unintentionally illustrated by a distinguished Hindoo convert, of great intellectual power; who attributed his ultimate escape from the maze of Brahminic pantheism to the attentive study of the Messianic prophecies side by side with the Gospel history.
the everlasting God ] The Gr. word ( aionios) rendered everlasting perhaps refers back to the “ ons ” or “ages” of Rom 16:25. Q. d., “The Gospel is now revealed and proclaimed according to the will of Him who appoints and adjusts all the developements of His providence, alike past, present and to come.” He who rules all duration knows when to keep silence and when to break it. This adjective is nowhere else in the N. T. attached to the word God. On the adjective, see further on Rom 2:7.
to all nations ] Lit. to (or perhaps better, for) all the nations. The special reference is, of course, to the Gentiles.
for the obedience of faith ] i.e. to invite that obedience which, in fact, faith implies; that trustful acceptance of the terms of Salvation which may be described, in one aspect, as “ submission to the righteousness of God.” (See note on Rom 10:3.) The thought is not so much of the course of moral obedience to which faith leads, as of the element of submission in the act of faith.
In this brief phrase the great Theme of the Epistle is heard for the last time.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But now is made manifest – Is revealed, or made known; that which was so long concealed is now divulged, that is, Gods plan of saving people is now made known to all nations.
And by the Scriptures … – By the writings of the prophets. The prophetic writings contained the doctrines, obscurely indeed, but so as to be an important means of disseminating and confirming the truth that the Gentiles should be made acquainted with the gospel. To those writings the apostle had repeatedly appealed in his defense of the proposition that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentile word; Rom. 10; 11; 15. The prophetic writings; moreover, were extensively scattered among the Gentile nations, and thus were readily appealed to in defense of this position. Their writings being thus translated, and read, were an important means of propagating the truths of the Christian religion.
According to the commandment … – By his command through Jesus Christ; made known in the gospel of his Son.
The everlasting God – God who is eternal, and therefore unchanged. He who has indeed concealed this truth, but who has always intended that it should be revealed.
To all nations – Mat 28:19; compare Col 1:23.
For the obedience of faith – To produce obedience to the requirements of the gospel; see the note at Rom 1:5.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. But now is made manifest] Now, under the New Testament dispensation, and by my preaching.
By the scriptures of the prophets] Hints relative to this important work being scattered up and down through all their works, but no clear revelation that the Gentiles, who should be admitted into the Church, should be admitted without passing under the yoke of the Mosaic law. This was the point which was kept secret: as to the calling of the Gentiles, this was declared in general terms by the prophets, and the apostle quotes and makes a most important use of their predictions; but the other was a point on which the prophets gave no information, and it seems to have been peculiarly revealed to St. Paul, who received the commandment of the everlasting God to make it known , to all the Gentiles-all the people of the earth that were not of Jewish extraction. And it was to be made known for the obedience of faith, that they might believe its doctrines and obey its precepts; its universal voice requiring repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and circumcision of the heart, in the place of all Jewish rites and ceremonies.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Concerning the revelation of this mystery, four things are further recorded:
1. The means whereby it was made known; viz.
the Scriptures of the prophets; see Act 10:43; 16:32; 28:23.
2. The authority by which it was made known;
the commandment of the everlasting God.
3. The persons to whom it was made known; the Gentiles, or the inhabitants of
all nations.
4. The end for which it was made known; viz.
for the obedience of faith; i.e. that it may be believed and obeyed: see Rom 1:5; 15:18.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26. But is now made manifestThereference here is to that peculiar feature of the Gospel economywhich Paul himself was specially employed to carry into practicaleffect and to unfold by his teachingthe introduction of theGentile believers to an equality with their Jewish brethren, and thenew, and, to the Jews, quite unexpected form which this gave to thewhole Kingdom of God (compare Eph3:1-10, c.). This the apostle calls here a mystery hithertoundisclosed, in what sense Ro16:27 will show, but now fully unfolded and his prayer for theRoman Christians, in the form of a doxology to Him who was able to dowhat he asked, is that they might be established in the truth of theGospel, not only in its essential character, but specially in thatfeature of it which gave themselves, as Gentile believers, theirwhole standing among the people of God.
and by the scriptures of theprophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, madeknown to all nations forin order to
the obedience of faithLestthey should think, from what he had just said, that God had broughtin upon his people so vast a change on their condition without givingthem any previous notice, the apostle here adds that, on thecontrary, “the Scriptures of the prophets” contain all thathe and other preachers of the Gospel had to declare on these topics,and indeed that the same “everlasting God,” who “frometernal ages” had kept these things hid, had given “commandment”that they should now, according to the tenor of those propheticScriptures, be imparted to every nation for their believingacceptance.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But now is made manifest,…. In these last days, in which God has spoken by his Son, by whom the doctrines of grace are most clearly revealed, and fully dispensed; and by his apostles, who were blessed with a clear insight into them, and with extraordinary gifts to minister them;
and by the Scriptures of the prophets; or prophetic writings, in which these truths are hinted, and by which, being made manifest by Christ and his apostles, they are attested and confirmed;
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith; that is, it is by the express order and command of that God who is from everlasting to everlasting, that the mystery of the Gospel is made manifest by the preaching of the apostles being witnessed to by the law and prophets in all its doctrines; particularly justification by Christ’s righteousness, remission of sins through his blood, and salvation by his sufferings and death; that this should be made known not only in the land of Judea, but to all the nations of the world; for this end, that many souls may be brought to submit to the righteousness of faith, to embrace the doctrine of faith, make a profession of it, be subject to the ordinances of it, live by faith on Christ, and also soberly, righteously and godly in this world: if this commandment refers, as it seems to do, to the order of Christ to his apostles, to preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles, to the Jews first, and upon their rejection of it, to turn to the Gentiles; for so, says the apostle, has the Lord commanded us, Ac 13:46; here is a clear proof that Christ is God, and that he is the everlasting God.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But now is manifested ( ). First aorist passive participle of , to make plain, genitive case in agreement with .
By the scriptures of the prophets ( ). “By prophetic scriptures.” Witnessed by the law and the prophets (3:21). This thread runs all through Romans.
According to the command of the eternal God (‘ ). Paul conceives that God is in charge of the redemptive work and gives his orders (Rom 1:1-5; Rom 10:15). The same adjective is here applied to God that is used of eternal life and eternal punishment in Mt 25:46.
Unto obedience of faith ( ). See 1:5.
Made known unto all the nations ( ). First aorist passive participle of , still the genitive case agreeing with in verse 25.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But now is made manifest,” (phanerothentes de nun) “Yet now and forever hereafter, it has been disclosed or made manifest;” Mat 16:18; Joh 15:16; Mat 28:18-20; Joh 20:21; Act 1:8; 2Ti 1:10; Tit 1:2-3; Act 3:18.
2) “And by the scriptures of the prophets,” (dia te graphon prophetikon) “Even through writings of prophetic disclosures”; 1Co 2:7-16; Mat 13:52; 1Co 10:32.
3) “According to the commandment of the everlasting God,” (kat’ epita – on tou aionou theou) “According to or in harmony with a command or order of the eternal God,” for its manifestation or disclosure; no more are Jews and Gentiles separated in Divine worship and service by a middle wall of partition. All responsible people of all races have free access to the Father in worship and service, thru the church, Eph 2:14; Eph 2:19-22; Eph 3:3-11; Eph 3:21.
4) “Made known to all nations,” (eis papta ta ethne gnoristhentos) “Having been now and hereafter made known to or toward (disclosed for) all the nations,” of the world, Jews as well as Gentiles, Eph 3:9-10; Mar 16:15; Act 1:8; Luk 24:46-52.
5) “For the obedience of faith,” (eis hupakoen pisteos) “With view to obedience of faith,” of faith nature, an obedience of service befitting a grace beneficiary of the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s Grace. The saved, all who trust in Christ, have access by baptism into the church body, fellowship of worship, and service; after baptism one is to walk and worship in the spirit in the newness of life, unto Christ, in his church; Eph 2:10; Eph 3:21; Rom 6:4-5; Gal 5:25.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(26) But now is made manifest.The first clause of this verse goes with the last clause of the preceding mystery, which before was kept secret, but now has been made manifest. The rest of the verse all hangs together: this mystery, through the help of the corroboration which it derives from the prophets of the Old Testament, has, by Gods command to us, the Apostles, been made known.
By the scriptures of the prophets.Through the help of that appeal to prophecy which we are enabled to make.
According to the commandment.That which had taken place according to the command of God was the making known of the gospel to the Gentiles, as, e.g., when Paul and Barnabas were specially separated for the work by the Holy Ghost.
Made known to all nations.The word to has a little more stress laid upon it than would appear from the English, made known so as to reach all nations.
For the obedience of faith.An exact repetition of the phrase in Rom. 1:5, to win over the Gentiles unto the allegiance demanded of them by faith in Christ.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Now manifest First by Christ, next by his apostles, and now by Paul in this epistle.
Scriptures of the prophets A needlessly awkward rendering of , prophetic Scriptures. Through the Scriptures as instrument of revelation and proof.
Made known Referring to mystery. The eternal mystery is now disclosed by God’s command, namely, that all can be saved by faith in Christ.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Rom 16:26 . Contrast of . .
But which has been made manifest in the present time, and by means of prophetic writings, according to the commandment of the eternal God, in order to produce obedience of faith, has been made known among all nations . In this happy relation of the present time, with regard to that which the lacked, how powerful a motive to the praise of God!
] Comp. Col 1:26 , , in the same contrast; but here the stress lies, in contradistinction to the immediately preceding ., on . Reiche’s observation, that the is never attributed to the prophets, is not at all applicable; for it is not in fact ascribed to the prophets here, and . is not even connected with . ., which [54] undoubtedly assigns to the following participle . [55] The mystery has, namely, in the Christian present been clearly placed in the light , has been made an object of knowledge (comp. on Rom 1:19 ), a result obviously accomplished through the gospel (comp. Col 1:26 ; Tit 1:3 ); and with this , in and by itself, there was connected in further concrete development the general publication of the secret, as it is more precisely designated by . This general publication was, namely, one which took place (1) by means of prophetic writings (comp. Rom 1:2 ), inasmuch as, after the precedent of Jesus Himself (Joh 5:39 ; Mat 5:17 ; Luk 24:27 ; Luk 24:44 ), it was brought into connection with the prophecies of the O. T. testifying beforehand (1Pe 1:11 ), the fulfilment of the same was exhibited, and they were employed as a proof and confirmation of the evangelical preaching (comp. also Act 17:11 ), and generally as a medium enabling the latter to produce knowledge and faith. (2) It took place at the command of God (Rom 10:17 ; Tit 1:3 ), whose servants (Rom 1:9 ) and stewards of His mysteries (1Co 4:1 ) the apostles are, conscious of His command (Gal 1:1 ; Gal 1:15 ). (3) It was made in order to produce obedience towards the faith (comp. on Rom 1:5 ), and that (4) among all nations .
] . is not a faint allusion to (Reiche); but stands in a very natural and apt relation of meaning thereto, since it is only as eternal ( Bar 4:8 ; Bar 4:22 ; Hist. Susann. 42) that God could dispose of the eternal times and of the present, so that what was kept silent in the former should be made known in the latter.
. . ] Consequently the publication was not confined to the Jews, but was accomplished among all Gentile peoples; comp. Rom 1:5 . As to of the direction, comp. Joh 8:26 , and see on Mar 1:39 ; Mar 14:9 .
[54] is wanting indeed in D E 34, 87, Syr. Erp. Copt. Aeth. Arm. Slav. Vulg. Clar. Germ. Chrys. and some Latin Fathers; but this is to be regarded as a hasty deletion, occasioned by the fact that, without precise consideration of the sense and of the following connection, . . was mechanically attached to . as nearest in position, and the necessity in point of construction for its belonging to ., widely separated by the intervening notices, was not perceived. In order thereupon to supply the want of connection between the two participles, which arose through the omission of the , an et was inserted before in versions (Syr. Erp. Aeth.).
[55] This, too, against Hofmann, who makes . . be added to by means of , in the sense of “ just as also .” But the must have added to the something homogeneous, supplementing (Baeumlein, Partik . p. 211; Khner, II. 2, p. 787), not a notion dissimilar to it. Generally, it would not be easy to see why Paul should not have placed his only after , and thereby have given to the second participial sentence which, according to Hofmann’s explanation, follows without connecting particle a connecting link in conformity with the sense.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Ver. 26. According to the commandment ] The writings of the prophets concerning the mystery of Christ were not made known to the world by haphazard, but by a special command of God.
For the obedience of faith ] Though God purposed good to his people before all worlds, yet that is concealed till such time as they yield this obedience of faith like as water that runs underground, is hidden a long time till it break out suddenly, and then we discover that there was a stream ran underground; as Arethusa and other rivers do.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
26. ] See ch. Rom 1:2 . The prophetic writings were the storehouse out of which the preachers of the gospel took their demonstrations that Jesus was the Christ: see Act 18:28 ; more especially, it is true, to the Jews , who however are here included among .
. may refer either to the prophetic writings being drawn up by the command of God, or to the manifestation of the mystery by the preachers of the gospel thus taking place. The latter seems best to suit the sense. refers back to . [the word should have been kept scrupulously the same in English, not as here and in Mat 22:46 rendered by two different English terms].
The first indicates the aim in order to their becoming obedient to the faith: the second, the local extent of the manifestation.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
26.] See ch. Rom 1:2. The prophetic writings were the storehouse out of which the preachers of the gospel took their demonstrations that Jesus was the Christ: see Act 18:28;-more especially, it is true, to the Jews, who however are here included among .
. may refer either to the prophetic writings being drawn up by the command of God,-or to the manifestation of the mystery by the preachers of the gospel thus taking place. The latter seems best to suit the sense. refers back to . [the word should have been kept scrupulously the same in English, not as here and in Mat 22:46 rendered by two different English terms].
The first indicates the aim-in order to their becoming obedient to the faith:-the second, the local extent of the manifestation.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 16:26. , made manifest) Col 1:26; 2Ti 1:10; Tit 1:3.-, commandment) The foundation of his apostleship, 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:3.- , of the eternal God) a very proper epithet, comp. the preceding verse, during the eternal ages, so Tit 1:2. The silence on the part of God presupposes eternal knowledge, Act 15:18. The new Economy implies no change in God Himself; His own work is well known to Him from eternity. Comp. presently after, to Him who is the only wise.-, nations) not merely that they may know, but also that they may enjoy [the blessing so known].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 16:26
Rom 16:26
but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets,-[Now is in contrast with the time in which the mystery was kept secret. Which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Eph 3:5-6). The apostles here are called prophets, in as much as they are bearers of a new revelation. Their writings, then, certainly are prophetical; for a prophet is not primarily, but only accidentally, one who foretells the future, being rather one who, having been taught of God, speaks out his will. (Deu 18:18). Paul feels that the letter he has just written has this character, and that it ranks among the means which God is using to carry out the publication of the new revelation. It is, therefore, of this very letter, as well as of the others which had proceeded from his pen, that he is speaking in this passage.]
according to the commandment of the eternal God,- [This commandment of God was the command to carry out his eternal purpose in the word of his Son when he said: All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mat 28:18-19). The mystery of the oneness of Jew and Gentile in Christ was not only manifested to the apostles, but made known authoritatively.]
is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: -For the obedience to which faith in God leads.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
obedience
See margin ref., (See Scofield “Rom 1:5”). Faith as a system, in contrast with law as a system.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
now: Eph 1:9, Col 1:26, 2Ti 1:10, Tit 1:2, Tit 1:3
and by: Rom 1:2, Rom 3:21, Rom 15:4, Act 8:32-35, Act 10:43, Act 26:22, Act 26:23, Gal 3:8, Eph 2:20, Rev 19:10
according: Mat 28:19, Mat 28:20, Mar 16:15, Luk 24:44-47, Act 13:46, Act 13:47, Act 26:17, Act 26:18
everlasting: Rom 1:20, Gen 21:33, Deu 33:27, Isa 9:6, Isa 40:28, Mic 5:2, 1Ti 1:17, Heb 9:14, Heb 13:8, 1Jo 5:20, Rev 1:8-11, Rev 1:17
for the: Rom 1:5, Rom 15:18, Act 6:7
Reciprocal: Num 9:10 – be unclean Deu 26:18 – keep Deu 29:29 – secret Deu 30:11 – it is not hidden Job 11:6 – show thee Job 15:8 – the secret Psa 18:43 – a people Psa 22:27 – turn Isa 42:4 – and the isles Isa 48:6 – showed Isa 52:15 – for Isa 66:18 – that I Jer 7:23 – Obey Eze 11:20 – they may Dan 2:22 – revealeth Zec 6:15 – And this Mat 11:11 – greater Mat 13:35 – I will utter Mat 13:38 – field Mat 24:14 – shall be Mar 1:15 – believe Joh 15:15 – all Joh 17:20 – for them Act 10:11 – and a Act 22:21 – for Rom 6:17 – but ye Rom 10:14 – and how shall Rom 10:16 – obeyed 1Co 2:7 – even 2Co 9:13 – professed 2Co 10:5 – the obedience Gal 5:7 – obey Eph 3:9 – to Eph 4:10 – fill Col 1:6 – is come 1Th 1:3 – your 2Th 1:8 – and that 1Ti 2:6 – in 2Ti 3:15 – the holy 2Ti 4:17 – by 1Pe 1:2 – unto 1Pe 1:20 – verily 1Jo 1:2 – was manifested
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
:26
Rom 16:26. It was then (in Paul’s day) made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets, referring to the predictions in the Old Testament. It was made known to all nations. ( See chapter 10:18; Col 1:23.) For the obelience of faith means it was revealed to all nations to the end that all might obey it from the motive of faith.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 16:26. But now is made manifest. The emphasis rests on made manifest; the whole thought is explanatory of the revelation of the mystery, and in contrast with the long silence just spoken of (Rom 16:25). Now, as usual, refers to the period since the gospel was preached. Made manifest suggests the revelation of the mystery made to the Apostles (comp. Eph 3:5); while is made known, which all the rest of the verse qualifies, points to the publication of the mystery through preaching. The two expressions, however, are closely united by and (in the original a conjunction used only to connect similar things).
Through prophetic Scriptures. This is the first of four qualifying phrases joined with is made known. These point respectively to (1) the means, (2) the cause, (3) the objects, and (4) the aim of this publication. In the original the order of (3) and (4) is inverted, to give that emphasis to the universality of the proclamation which befits the close of this Epistle. The arrangement of these phrases is not arbitrary. The prophetic Scriptures were actually the means employed in the universal diffusion of the gospel. (The article is wanting. Comp. Rom 1:2.) Until they were fulfilled the matter was still a mystery, but Christ himself, as well as his Apostles, used the Old Testament constantly to teach evangelical truth. It is altogether unnecessary to argue from this reference to the Old Testament that the mystery spoken of is exclusively the reception of the Gentiles. The entire mystery of redemption could be made known through the Old Testament, when once it had been manifested to the inspired Apostles. Godet labors to prove that New Testament prophetic writings are here meant, but such a sense is not obvious. In fact the statement that the mystery had been kept in silence (Rom 16:5) seems to require a reference to the Old Testament; otherwise the Apostle would have failed to give it the place in this grand passage which it has everywhere else in New Testament history and literature (see again, chap. Rom 1:2.)
According to the commandment of the eternal God. The reference to the Scripture naturally suggests God who spake through the prophets. But it is not necessary to take this phrase as subordinate to Scriptures; still less to make it parallel with according to in Rom 16:25. The publication of the gospel was by Apostles who were fully persuaded that the same God who spoke through the prophets had sent them by specific commandment: comp. Mat 28:19-20, and the Apostles language everywhere. Eternal is appropriately used here, since the whole passage has reference to what he has disposed during eternal ages as well as in the present
Unto all the nations. Unto here points to the local extension of the gospel; it was made known so as to reach all the nations. (The introduction of this phrase opposes the limitation of mystery to the fact of the reception of the Gentiles; what was made known unto them was the entire gospel mystery.) The universal scope of the gospel has been the ground tone of the whole epistle; hence this phrase stands last in the original, to give it due emphasis.
Unto obedience of faith. Precisely as in chap. Rom 1:5; in order to produce obedience to faith, to make men become believers. The gospel made known: by Divine authority, through recorded prophecy now fulfilled, in order to make men believe, and extended to all the nations. In the mystery thus made known, which was really the Apostles gospel, God was able to stablish them. Beginning with the form of a doxology to this God of powerful helpfulness, he has so enlarged upon the method of His help as to render a resumption necessary; hence the difficulty of the construction in Rom 16:27.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 26. With these times of silence there is contrasted that of divine speaking. The word , now, strongly expresses this contrast. The participle , manifested, refers to the inward revelation of the divine mystery by the Holy Spirit, which the apostles have received; comp. the perfectly similar expressions, Eph 3:5.
This act of revelation must necessarily be completed by another, as is indicated by the following participle: , published, divulged. What the apostles received by revelation, they are not to keep to themselves; they are called to proclaim it throughout the whole world. These two participles are joined by the particle , and. This mode of connection applies in Greek only to things of a homogeneous nature, and the one of which serves to complete the other. This peculiarity of the suffices to set aside Hofmann’s explanation, who translates: manifested now and by the prophetical writings. For the two notions of the time and mode of revelation are too heterogeneous to be thus connected. And, moreover, it would follow from this explanation that the second participle (, published) would be unconnected with the first by any conjunction, which is impossible. The Greco-Lats. and some versions omit the particle . But it is a copyist’s error well explained by Meyer. The words: by prophetical writings, were connected with the preceding participle (, manifested), as nearer than the following one, and from this false connection arose the suppression of the .
The second participle, , made known, is defined by four clauses. The first refers to the cause: the divine command; the second to the means: the prophetical writings; the third to the end: the obedience of the faith; the fourth to the object: all the Gentiles.
The command of God sounded forth by the mouth of Jesus when He said: Go ye and teach all nations. This command was not the expression of a transient or secondary thought; it was the immutable and eternal thought, to which all the rest were subordinated, even the decree of creation. This is what the epithet eternal, given to God, is intended to remind us of. He remains exalted above all the phases through which the execution of His designs passes.
By the prophetical Scriptures, which are the means of the making known, all critics understand the prophetical books of the O. T. But how could Paul say: The gospel is proclaimed by these books? He has just declared, on the contrary, that they mystery had been kept secret up to the present time. It is answered, that the apostle is alluding to the use made of the writings of the prophets in apostolic preaching. But though these writings were a means of demonstration, they were not a means of making known; and yet this is what is expressed by the participle . And, besides, why in this case reject the article which was necessary to designate these prophetical books as well-known writings; why say: by writings…and not: by the writings of the prophets? It might be answered, that Paul expresses himself in the same way in the passage Rom 1:2; but there, the term prophets which precedes, and the epithet holy which accompanies, the word Scriptures, sufficiently determine the idea. It is not so here, where these writings are represented as the means of propagating a new revelation, and should consequently designate new prophetical writings. I think that the only explanation of this term in harmony with the apostle’s thought is got from the passage which we have already quoted, Eph 3:3-6 : For God by revelation made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words, whereby when ye read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel. The apostles are here called prophets, inasmuch as they are bearers of a new revelation. What then are their writings, if not prophetical writings? Paul himself feels that the letter which he has just written has this character, and that it ranks among the means which God is using to carry out the publication of the new revelation. It is therefore of this very letter, as well as of the other letters which had proceeded from his pen, or from that of his colleagues, that he is speaking in our passage. And from this point of view the absence of the article is easily explained. Paul really means: by prophetical writings. It is as it were a new series of inspired writings coming to complete the collection of the ancient and well-known books, even as the new revelation is the completion of the old.
The end is denoted by the words: for the obedience of faith; an expression which reproduces that of Rom 1:5, and the meaning of which is, as we have proved there, the obedience to God which consists of faith itself.
Finally, the object of the publication: to all the Gentiles (nations); an expression similar to that of Rom 1:5 : among all the Gentiles. Paul thus ends where he had begun: with his apostleship to the Gentiles, which follows from the appearance of a new and final revelation, and of the full realization of God’s eternal plan. The return to the ideas of Rom 1:1-5 is evident.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith [Comp. Col 1:26; Col 4:4; Gal 1:12; Gal 1:16; 1Co 2:10 . “Manifested. . . made known.” These two words express the two phases of revelation. Christ himself was the manifestation (Luk 2:30-32; Joh 1:14-18; Joh 2:11; Heb 1:3), the Light of the world (Joh 1:4-9; Joh 8:12); but this manifestation is introduced, interpreted, explained, “made known” by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament writers or prophets, the former with their types, shadows and forecasts (Luk 24:25-27; Gal 4:21-31; Col 2:16-17; Heb 8:5; Heb 9:9; Heb 10:1-9), the latter with their gospel sermons and doctrinal epistles (1Co 15:1; Gal 1:11; 1Jo 1:1-3). And these Scriptures were written for that purpose, not at the motion, option or choice of the writers, but by order and command of God himself (Deu 5:22; Jer 36:27-28; 2Pe 1:20-21; 1Co 2:13; 2Ti 3:16), that men might know, and, knowing, might believe and obey, the gospel in its conditions and be saved thereby. Thus the apostle assures us that the Father, who gave us the Christ, gave us also correct biographies as to his incarnation, miracles, life, death, resurrection and coronation; that the God who gave us a gospel also insured to us the preservation of it in an efficient and effective form in the record which he commanded; that the Lord who gave us a church has also provided for the perpetual safeguarding of its plans, specifications and model as designed in his holy mountain (Heb 8:5), preserving them forever in those Chronicles of his kingdom which we call the Bible. Common sense should tell us this, even if Paul had kept silence. How could we attribute infinite wisdom to a God who sacrificed his Son to make a gospel and then neglected to preserve that gospel that it might be used for the purposes for which it was prepared at so much cost? Moreover, this passage shows that God himself, back of the human penman, wrote the Bible; for he, and not they–no, not even the angels (1Pe 1:10; 1Pe 10:12)–knew the secret which these Scriptures were revealing. Yea, he wrote it for the universal instruction of the unborn church in matters which no human wisdom could discover for itself. Therefore, whoso strikes at the Old Testament would destroy the foundation of the New, would annul what God has commanded, obliterate what God has revealed, and rob the dying world of the gospel, the salvation and the Christ which God has given. The one who attempts to do this thing (God be praised, he can not succeed save for a brief season– Rev 11:3-12) would destroy God’s means of life, and would leave the world, “all nations,” with their teeming but helpless millions to perish without hope, setting his wisdom against that of “the only Wise.” Such an one rivals the devil, both in unfeeling heartlessness and in supreme presumption]:
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
26. But having now been made manifest through the prophetical Scriptures, according to the promise of eternal God unto the obedience of faith having been made known unto all the Gentiles,
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, {m} made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(m) Offered and exhibited to all nations to be known.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Even though the Old Testament prophets revealed the gospel (good news) they did not always grasp all of its implications (1Pe 1:10-12; cf. Rom 1:1-2). The commandment of God in view is probably the expression of God’s will.