Romans 11:36 – “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

Extended Explanation

This verse is a powerful declaration of God’s sovereignty. Paul has just spent several chapters explaining God’s plan for salvation, showing how He has worked through both Jews and Gentiles to bring about His purposes. Now, Paul finishes with this statement of worship, reminding us that everything exists because of God and for His glory.

Paul makes three key statements about God’s relationship to everything that exists:

1. “From him” – Everything comes from God. He is the Creator, the source of all life, and the giver of every good thing. Nothing exists apart from Him.
2. “Through him” – Everything continues to exist and operate by His power. He sustains all creation, and nothing happens outside His control.
3. “For him” – Everything ultimately exists for His purposes and His glory. Our lives, history, and even creation itself are meant to bring praise to God.

Paul ends with a doxology, or a statement of praise: “To him be the glory forever! Amen.” This reminds us that the right response to understanding God’s greatness is worship.

Historical Context

Paul wrote Romans to a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, a powerful city at the heart of the Roman Empire. Many people in that culture worshiped idols and gave credit to false gods for creation and life.

In contrast, Paul boldly declares that everything comes from the one true God. This was a radical statement in a world where people gave honor to man-made gods, rulers, and philosophies. Paul wanted the Roman believers to understand that God alone is the source of all things and that He alone deserves glory.

This verse also ties together Paul’s explanation of salvation history in Romans 9-11. He has been explaining how God’s plan includes both Jews and Gentiles and how God’s mercy is revealed through His sovereign decisions. After laying out these deep truths, Paul bursts into worship, recognizing that God is in control of everything.

Theological Implications

1. God is the Source of All Things – Everything, including life, creation, and salvation, comes from Him.
2. God Sustains Everything – The universe does not run by chance or human effort—God holds it all together.
3. God’s Glory is the Ultimate Purpose – Our lives are not ultimately about us, but about glorifying God.
4. Worship is the Right Response to God’s Greatness – When we understand who God is, our response should be praise and humility.

Literary Analysis

This verse is structured as a doxology—a short statement of praise that expresses worship. Paul uses three prepositions (“from,” “through,” and “for”) to emphasize the total dependence of all things on God.

The repetition of “all things” highlights the absolute nature of God’s sovereignty. Nothing is outside His control or purpose.

Finally, the phrase “To him be the glory forever! Amen.” is a fitting conclusion to Paul’s discussion in Romans 9-11. After wrestling with the mysteries of God’s plan, Paul does not try to fully explain everything—he simply gives God glory.

Biblical Cross-References

• Colossians 1:16-17 – “For in him all things were created… all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
• John 1:3 – “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
• 1 Corinthians 8:6 – “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live.”
• Hebrews 2:10 – “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God… should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.”
• Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that our lives are not about us, but about God. Everything we do should bring Him glory. This means:

• Our talents and resources come from God, so we should use them to serve Him.
• Our lives have meaning and purpose because they are part of God’s plan.
• We should trust Him, knowing that He controls all things and works everything for His good purposes.
• We should live in worship, recognizing that everything ultimately exists to glorify Him.

Instead of focusing on ourselves, this verse challenges us to ask: How can I glorify God in my daily life?

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s sovereignty is not cold and distant—it is full of love. He created everything out of love, sustains everything by His love, and calls us to live for Him in love.

Unlike human rulers who seek power for themselves, God’s rule is always good and just. The fact that all things are “for Him” does not mean He is selfish—it means that He alone is worthy of worship because He is perfectly good and loving.

This verse also reassures us that God is in control. Even when life feels uncertain, we can trust that God is working all things for His purposes, and His purposes are always good.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is at the center of this verse’s truth. He is the reason why everything exists, and through Him, God’s plan is fulfilled.

• John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• Philippians 2:9-11 – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
• Ephesians 1:10 – “To bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
• Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

Jesus is the one through whom all things were made, the one who sustains all things, and the one for whom all things exist.

Ultimately, God’s greatest act of self-giving love was sending Jesus to die for our sins and bring us into His family. This means that when we glorify God, we are also celebrating what Christ has done for us.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse challenge the way we think about our purpose in life?
2. What are some ways you can bring glory to God in your daily life?
3. How does understanding that “all things are from, through, and for Him” help you trust God in difficult times?
4. Why is worship the natural response to God’s greatness?
5. How does Jesus fulfill this verse, and how should that shape our faith?