For of him, and through him, and for him [are] all things to him be glory for ever. Amen.
Paul's long argument about Israel and the nations does not end with a conclusion. It ends in praise, and this verse is the last line of it. Three short phrases about God take in all things, and then hand Him the glory.
Why the praise breaks out here
The praise is not a change of subject. It grows out of verse 32: God has consigned all to disobedience, so that He may have mercy on all. One writer notes that Paul had received that mercy himself.
No wonder the apostle closes this most precious portion of Scripture with the delightful doxology of verses 33-36!… Paul (as Saul) had himself been marked by this callous "ignorance" (1 Timothy 1:13) and "unbelief." God had shown him mercy, and so he says in triumph of his nation: "God has shut up all together in unbelief, in order that He might show mercy to all."
The writer here quotes an older translation of verse 32; the ESV reads "God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all."
Source, means, and end
The three little words — "of," "through," "to" — are not repetition. Each marks a different relation between God and everything that exists. Together they leave no room for anyone else.
He is the source, means, and end of all He has counselled, accomplished, or purposes still to effect for His own glory.
Nothing lent, nothing owed
The verse begins with "For." It answers the two questions just asked: who advised God, and who gave to Him first?
We have neither known His mind, nor had anything to do with His counsel. Still less have we given to Him first, so that He would owe us repayment. This has been Israel's folly, and the folly of many more who would like to make themselves creditors of God, as though their good works and assumed righteousness were a claim upon Him!
Another writer states it as a rule that never runs the other way.
Man would like to make God a receiver instead of a giver; but this cannot be… The great Giver of "all things" cannot possibly "need anything."
The reach of "all things"
The scope reaches far past Israel's story. Commentators read the three phrases differently. Kelly applies all three to God; another writer sees distinct divine Persons at work in them.
As Paul sums it up he says "of Him" — God is the source. "Through Him" — Christ is the agent. "To Him" — Christ is the One whose power will secure it all. This is the working of divine Persons in this wonderful field of wisdom, far beyond human understanding… It is not only about our blessing and the blessing of Israel; the end of it all will be openly displayed — "To Him be glory forever. Amen."
What it removes, and what it leaves
If everything starts with God, runs through God, and ends in God, then no one else can take the credit.
Here we see the triumph of grace, and all boasting is taken from men. It is of God from first to last, and He must have all praise.
What is left is the glory, and the "Amen" that agrees with it. Every reader can say that Amen too.
He starts all things, carries them out, and is their eternal Master. Who would proudly dare to seize these great rights of His? Ah no! He stands alone — perfect in wise counsels, perfect in work, perfect in mastery of all things. "To Him be glory forever." "And let all the people say, Amen."
Summary
- Of Him — God is the source. Every blessing starts on His side; no one advised Him and no one funded Him.
- Through Him — God is the means. Christ is the agent who carries out what God planned.
- To Him — God is the end. Everything is heading to His glory, and one day that will be on open display.
- Mercy — the praise grows out of mercy shown to unbelievers: first to Paul, then to all.
- Amen — since it is all of God from first to last, boasting is gone and praise is the only fitting reply.