Romans 11:36 (ESV) … “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
This final line of this chapter is, as happens so often in Paul’s writings, a doxology—a statement of praise to God. But even in moments of exaltation, such as this one, Paul is obviously still careful of how he states things. When his soul soars, his mind is still involved.
The object of Paul’s faith is neither part of the creation nor the container of creation, but the Creator, who is a person in His own right, standing outside His creation. All things are from Him; all things have come into being by His command; and all things are heading toward Him as their climax; but the creation is not in Him. It is not nature, but nature’s God whom we praise. It is not nature’s power, but the Lord who has power over nature whom we worship. It is not our environment, but our Creator whom we revere. As is true with everything, the glory is His. When we glorify Him, we give Him but His own; and we creatures discover our true humanity when we say from the heart, “To him be glory forever! Amen.”[1]
Therefore we can rightly sing that God is the ultimate source of all things either directly or indirectly. He is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe and its inhabitants. He is the Originator and the One who implements the plan of redemption. He is the giver of “every good and perfect gift” (Js. 1:17). He is worthy of all glory and praise.[2]
[1] Shields, B. (1988). Romans: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 124). Cincinnati, OH: Standard.
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