Paul and the Romans, Part 2

I learned that Paul usually makes a change from an emphasis on doctrine to an emphasis on application somewhere in each letter. This transition appears in his letter to the Romans at Romans 12.

Even so, we find these prayers in chapter 15:

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (15:5-6; NAS).

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (15:13; NAS).

"Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen" (15:33; NAS).

In these prayers, we are reminded that it is God who gives perseverance and encouragement, hope, and peace, that our unity should result in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ being glorified, and that it is the Holy Spirit who causes us to abound in hope.

Romans 16 ends with this doxology:

"Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen" (16:25-27; NAS).

This echoes the first verses of Romans, which I posted last week. God alone can establish us and does so according to His revealed Word. He spreads His Word to all the nations with the goal of their coming to the obedience of faith, bringing glory to the only wise God, the eternal God, through Christ Jesus.