Romans 11:33 kjv
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Romans 11:33 nkjv
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Romans 11:33 niv
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Romans 11:33 esv
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Romans 11:33 nlt
Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
Romans 11 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:33 | O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! | Culmination of Paul's argument on Israel's |
| Isaiah 40:28 | Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. | God's incomprehensible nature. |
| Psalm 139:6 | Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. | David's awe at God's knowledge. |
| Job 38:2 | Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? | God questions Job's limited understanding. |
| Proverbs 3:5 | Lean not unto thine own understanding. | Trust in God's wisdom, not man's. |
| Proverbs 25:2 | It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. | God conceals, humans explore. |
| Jeremiah 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? | Highlights human's limited understanding of self. |
| Matthew 11:25 | At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. | God reveals truth to the humble. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:25 | Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. | God's ways are contrary to human reasoning. |
| 1 Corinthians 2:14 | But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. | Unsaved cannot grasp spiritual truths. |
| Ephesians 3:10 | To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, | Church reveals God's wisdom to spiritual beings. |
| Hebrews 4:12 | For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. | God's Word discerns deep realities. |
| Romans 11:24 | For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is natural to thee, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be natural, be graffed into their own olive tree? | Illustrates God's sovereign plan. |
| Romans 9:15 | For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. | God's sovereign choice in mercy. |
| Romans 11:22 | Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; on thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. | God's dual nature of severity and goodness. |
| Isaiah 55:8-9 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. | Direct comparison of God's and man's thoughts. |
| Psalm 92:5 | O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. | The Psalms acknowledge God's profound thoughts. |
| John 3:8 | The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. | The Spirit's incomprehensible work. |
| Ephesians 1:8 | Wherein he hath superabounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; | God's abundant wisdom provided to believers. |
| Romans 16:27 | To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. | Ultimate glory to the only wise God. |
| Jude 1:25 | To the only God our Saviour, by Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen. | Adoration of God's eternal power and glory. |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 33 Meaning
The unsearchable depths of God's wisdom, knowledge, and judgments are profoundly celebrated. His decisions are beyond human comprehension, and His ways are incomprehensible, ultimately leading to His glory.
Romans 11 33 Context
This verse stands as the grand conclusion to Romans chapter 11, a chapter deeply theological and pastoral. Paul has spent considerable time explaining God's sovereign plan concerning both Israel and the Gentiles, addressing the apparent rejection of the Messiah by ethnic Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant people through faith in Christ. He demonstrates that God has not abandoned His people, but rather has temporarily "blinded" a portion of Israel to make way for the Gentiles, assuring that a remnant of Israel will eventually be saved. This final doxology (an expression of praise) is a response to the intricate, seemingly paradoxical dealings of God, celebrating His unfathomable wisdom and righteous judgments. The immediate preceding verses (Romans 11:11-24) explain how the stumbling of Israel led to salvation for the Gentiles, and how Gentiles, by receiving salvation, provoked Israel to jealousy, potentially leading to their eventual salvation. This leads Paul to exclaim over the immensity of God's plan.
Romans 11 33 Word Analysis
- O (Ὠ - Ō): An interjection expressing strong emotion, astonishment, or lamentation. Here, it signifies profound awe and wonder.
- the (τοῦ - tou): Possessive/genitive article.
- depth (βάθος - bathos): Refers to depth, profundity, or intensity. It denotes something that is immensely deep, reaching to a vast extent, often implying that it cannot be fully fathoms or measured.
- of (τῶν - tōn): Preposition indicating possession or origin.
- the riches (πλοῦτος - ploutos): Means wealth, abundance, or riches. In this context, it signifies the immense and inexhaustible fullness and generosity of God. It is plural, emphasizing the abundance in multiple aspects.
- both (τε - te): A coordinating particle, often translated as "both... and".
- of the wisdom (σοφίας - sophias): Refers to wisdom, skill, insight, or sagacity. Here it speaks of God's perfect and profound understanding in His plans and purposes.
- and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting two elements.
- knowledge (γνώσεως - gnoseos): Refers to knowledge, the process of knowing, or the recognition of something. It points to God's complete and perfect apprehension of all things.
- of God (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou): Of God; referring to the Divine Being.
- O (Ὠ - Ō): Another instance of the interjection expressing strong emotion, particularly worship and praise.
- how (πόσον - poson): An interrogative adverb meaning "how much" or "to what extent." It questions the degree of God's judgments.
- unsearchable (ἀνεξιχνίαστος - anexichniastos): Literally "not traceable" or "impenetrable." It signifies that God's judgments cannot be fully tracked, investigated, or understood by human effort. It implies a profound mystery beyond human capacity to fathom.
- and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.
- his judgments (τὰ κρίματα - ta krimata): Refers to judgments, decisions, or legal verdicts. It encompasses God's righteous pronouncements and His sovereign decisions in ruling the world and administering justice.
- his ways (αἱ ὁδοὶ - hai hodoi): Refers to ways, paths, or methods. It signifies God's plans, actions, and how He carries out His purposes in history.
Words/Group of Words Analysis:
- "depth of the riches": This is a powerful metaphor highlighting the immensity and inexhaustible nature of God's qualities. It's not just wealth, but an overwhelming abundance of wealth that has no bottom and no limit.
- "wisdom and knowledge": While related, wisdom (sophias) is about the skillful and judicious application of knowledge, while knowledge (gnoseos) is about understanding facts and truth. Paul attributes both in infinite measure to God.
- "unsearchable judgments and ways": This speaks to the incomprehensibility of God's thought processes and His methods of operation. Human logic and experience are insufficient to fully comprehend them. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and His right to orchestrate events in ways that go beyond our understanding, ultimately for His glory. The word "unsearchable" (anexichniastos) is also found in Romans 16:25 regarding the mystery of the gospel, linking the profound mystery of the gospel's unfolding with the depth of God's wisdom and judgments.
Romans 11 33 Bonus Section
The phrase "depth of the riches" is similar to how Paul describes the "riches of his glory" in Ephesians 1:18 and Colossians 1:27. It paints a picture of an inexhaustible supply. The concept of God's unsearchable ways is a theme echoed throughout Scripture, underscoring that true understanding comes from divine revelation, not human speculation. The specific term "unsearchable" (anexichniastos) is not used elsewhere in the New Testament, giving this declaration a unique emphasis within Romans 11, serving as a pinnacle statement on God's sovereignty and wisdom after a profound theological discussion. The ultimate focus on God's glory as the end of His ways is crucial, directing all admiration towards the Divine Being.
Romans 11 33 Commentary
This verse is a profound declaration of adoration for the divine attributes. Paul's preceding arguments about God's sovereign work in saving Gentiles and the future restoration of Israel have revealed the complexities of God's plan. This stanza serves as a recognition that God's ways and thoughts are far beyond human comprehension. They are characterized by an overwhelming abundance of wisdom and knowledge that cannot be fully traced or fathomed. This acknowledgment leads to humble worship and trust in God, recognizing His ultimate authority and the incomprehensibility of His purposes, which are ultimately designed for His glory. It reminds believers not to presume to fully understand God's every move, but to trust in His perfect nature even when His dealings are mysterious. This praise is a cornerstone for understanding God's sovereign will.
Practical Usage: When facing inexplicable circumstances in life or in the church, this verse calls for awe and worship rather than frustration or doubt. It encourages submission to God's perfect will, even when it remains hidden from our understanding. It also fuels confidence, knowing that God's rich wisdom and all-knowing nature are working in every situation.