³⁶ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

The doctrinal section of Romans (chapters 1 to 11) ends with an ascription to the glory of God. God’s purpose in creation is to manifest His glory.

to whom

God Himself is the only proper purpose for creation. His matchless person and the glory of who He is are to redound throughout creation.

be glory

It is fitting that Paul concluded the doctrinal section of Romans with an acclamation of God’s character. The One who is the source, the means, and the end of all things deserves glory from His creatures. God’s glory is the ultimate end of creation.

Ro 15:6, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Co 10:31, Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Pe 4:11, If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Re 5:12-13, ¹² saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” ¹³ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Paul ascribed to God not only “glory” but “the glory.” “The glory” is supreme glory. Supreme glory belongs to God.

There are two doxologies in Romans (here and Ro 16:27). Both doxologies bring glory to God forever. We need to start and end with God, not with our needs. We glorify God because He is the cause, the means, and the end of all things.

Ro 16:27, to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

forever.

“Forever” is from three words: unto the ages. These words emphasize eternity. God’s purpose is that His glory be manifest in creation for time and eternity.

Amen.

The word “amen” means so be it. Paul affirmed the worthiness of what he just said about God’s purpose for creation as true; he wanted God to receive glory for all that He has done in creation.

PRINCIPLE:

There is no doxology without theology and no theology without doxology.

APPLICATION:

There is no doxology without theology. It is not possible to give God glory without content. The content of the first 11 chapters of Romans gives rise to manifesting God’s glory in worship. That is why theology also requires doxology.

God is His own ultimate end in everything. All other purposes move in subordination to this. Since God is who He is, He must have His best interests in view at all times. He must love Himself and His own glory above all.

Only an absolute being can do this. An absolute God must regard Himself above the universe because He transcends the universe and is in sovereign control over it. The creation must defer to the Creator and not the other way around.

The ultimate value of all things resides in God and not creation. God has Himself ultimately in view in everything He does. The manifestation of God’s glory is the ultimate purpose of creation. When we pursue God’s glory as our highest end, that also encapsulates our highest good.

It is not selfish for God to set His glory as the ultimate purpose for creation, because He is the perfect, absolute, and ultimate Creator. No one and nothing else deserves this recognition because nothing transcends who and what He is. God is so impeccable that this glory never conflicts with the good of His creation.

Isa 42:8, I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.

Isa 48:11, For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.

Giving God glory is no token decision but a change in worldview. It is an entirely different dimension to live to glorify God than to live simply for ourselves and our family.

Eph 4:6, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

When we glorify God, we enter into the highest end for creation. This is a humbling function but also an occupation for our highest good.

When we glorify God, we do not add anything to His nature. This is simply an acknowledgement or manifestation of what He already is and has done.

Co 1:16-17, ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.