Lord’s Library editors offer a Romans 16:24 meaning with commentary on why the verse is missing from new Bible versions, for your edification.
When trying to understand the meaning of Romans 16:24 and see why it’s missing in modern versions, first see the verse: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” This verse offers a classic Pauline benediction. It expresses the same Gospel truth that closes many of Paul’s epistles—grace, freely offered to all who believe.
The Scripture is a Spirit-breathed conclusion to the long list of commendations and final thoughts that make up Romans 16. Romans 16:24 is completely missing in most modern Bible versions, often replaced with a note saying something like:“Some manuscripts include verse 24.”
Editors claim that Romans 16:24 is “not found in the earliest and best manuscripts.” This means Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, the two fourth-century Alexandrian Manuscripts that form the Nestle-Aland critical text—the textual basis for almost every modern translation.
Romans 16:24 Missing Meaning
These manuscripts omit the verse, and so modern editors, having been trained to prioritize age, strike it from the text. However, the majority of Greek manuscripts—the traditional Byzantine text family—include Romans 16:24. So do early versions like the Latin Vulgate and Syriac Peshitta. The verse was part of the universal text of Scripture for over 1,500 years as well.
In this way, modern Bibles are seemingly cutting off the endings of passages that deal with the grace, power, and authority of Jesus Christ. From Mark 16:9–20 to Romans 16:24, the conclusion is where the authority lands.
As stated, Romans 16:24 reinforces Paul’s closing benedictions; compare Romans 16:20 and 16:27:
- Romans 16:20: “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
- Romans 16:27: “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”
There is no contradiction, and if anything, its inclusion harmonizes the flow of the chapter. Some modern critics claim that its presence is “unnecessary” because Paul already said something similar. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t need to limit repetition, and oftentimes repetition is purposeful; the Bible often emphasizes truth by restating it.
Romans 16:23 ends with a list of greetings. Verse 25 (in the modern texts) jumps straight to a doxology. Without verse 24, the reader is taken from human names into heavenly theology without the bridge of grace. The flow is disrupted, and the warmth of Paul’s blessing is erased.
The King James Bible includes Romans 16:24 because it is built on the Textus Receptus, which follows the manuscript tradition used by the Church.
In our view, if your Bible skips Romans 16:24, you’re not holding a better translation—you’re holding a Bible that deleted a verse about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We leave you with Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19:
- Deuteronomy 4:2: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
- Revelation 22:18-19: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
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