From Him and through Him and to Him are all things
What does it mean that from Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Romans 11:36)?
After reflecting on God’s wondrous plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles, the apostle Paul launches into an anthem of praise for God’s mercy, knowledge, and wisdom over all His creation (Romans 11:33–36). Only God, in His rich wisdom and unsearchable ways, could turn Israel’s downfall, rebellion, and rejection into redemption for the whole human race (see Romans 11:30–33). Paul concludes his doxology by emphasizing that everything in all creation begins and ends with God: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (verse 36, ESV).
“From Him . . . are all things.” This means that everything comes from God. He is the Creator of all life (Genesis 1:1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; 44:24; 45:7; 66:2; Ephesians 3:9; Revelation 4:11). Paul writes, “There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:6, NLT, see also 1 Corinthians 11:12). The Bible teaches that God created all things from nothing (Job 26:7; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:3). He is the absolute origin and source of life.
“Through Him . . . are all things.” Everything exists through God’s power and wisdom. Paul explains, “For through him [Christ] God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see. . . . Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16, NLT).
Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, is the agent or active instrument through whom the Father performs His creative work: “And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:6, NLT). Speaking about Jesus Christ, the apostle John affirms, “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him” (John 1:3, NLT; see also Hebrews 1:2; 2:10). God also creates through His Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30), His word (Psalm 33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3), and His wisdom (Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 10:12–13).
“To Him are all things.” Everything in all creation is made for His glory. “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36, NLT). Everything, including God’s people, is made to bring God glory (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).
“From Him and through Him and to Him” answers three basic questions about our existence:
- Where did our life come from? It came from God.
- How did we come to exist? We came into being through the power and the creative workmanship of His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:10).
- Why did God create us? We were made to bring God glory.
From start to finish, we are wholly dependent on God. Not only is God the originator of our physical lives, but He is the source of our eternal salvation (John 3:16; Acts 5:30–31; 1 Timothy 1:15; Romans 5:9–10). Not only does He sustain our earthly existence, but He keeps us and accomplishes our salvation (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6). He is our life’s purpose and the goal of our salvation (Philippians 3:12–14). In turn, we devote our existence to God, living to bring Him glory. He is our Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13) and everything in between.
The realization that all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him filled the apostle Paul with awe and humility. May it likewise bring us to our knees in adoration and praise.
