Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. Glory to Him forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
So why is this part here? Is Paul closing Romans here at the end of Chapter 11? No, of course not. Look around, it is obvious it belongs here. Everything connects well. So what is Paul doing?
Paul is being emotional, excitable Paul. Don’t you ever get worked up or passionate about something that you lose it in the midst of your excitement? No? Well go and try it. It might brighten your life somewhat. Paul has got so caught up in what he has been saying that he lets loose with a song. Many see this as a quote of an old song. Paul has got on a high from thinking about God’s mercy and grace and has spontaneously included a song of God’s greatness in the midst of what he has been saying.
Do you get excited about God and the Bible or is that reserved just for secular things like rugby matches? Sorry I am in NZ at the moment and it is appropriate to be a Kiwi to the Kiwis. But seriously, do you? Have you ever burst out singing at the mall for some reason or is your singing reserved for church or the shower? Come on, kick over the boundaries and live a little. Break free of your inhibitions. This is exactly what Paul is doing and so he launches into a song. Doxology comes from the Greek doxa [glory]. When contemplating the glories of God, one can’t help but sing. Paul is not closing the book, he is building up a head of steam. Don’t stop him. Turn him loose; it might inspire others to follow.
When Paul stops to consider for himself all he has been saying about the mercies and grace of God then what else could he do but break into song. This is amazing and inspirational and so worth thinking about. But of course what happens is the Biblical experts get together and discuss the text of Romans and decide that this section should not be there, it’s an insertion from some other writer and not genuine Paul. And in so doing rob Joe, the ordinary Christian bloke and Joan, the ordinary Christian girl of the blessing of considering the Scripture in the way it was meant to be read. WITH PASSION!
If you haven’t got the feel yet, read it through again to see why Paul is suddenly on cloud nine and singing. I am not going to do this passage the injustice of breaking it down and analysing it. Read it again and again and let it wash over you in the light of what Paul has been saying before it until you too want to break out in song. At that moment you will understand this section of the book of Romans.
Next Gem – Romans 12:1. Remember it starts with a therefore and when you find a “therefore” you have to ask yourself . . . .
So go do it.
You don’t put live eggs under dead chickens.
Howard Hendricks
Hurt people, hurt people.
Anon
Oh come on, for once just break out in song in the middle of the mall. Let your guard down.
Ian Vail
Yes ok, a whispered song is a start.
Ian Vail
Just for once, go and infect someone with your enthusiasm.
Ian Vail