Romans 11:34 kjv
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Romans 11:34 nkjv
"For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?"
Romans 11:34 niv
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
Romans 11:34 esv
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"
Romans 11:34 nlt
For who can know the LORD's thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
Romans 11 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:13 | "Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or instructed him with his counsel?" | God's unsearchable wisdom |
| Job 38:1-38 | God challenges Job regarding the foundations of creation. | God's sovereignty and knowledge |
| Psalm 145:3 | "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable." | Incomprehensibility of God's greatness |
| Proverbs 3:19-20 | "The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens." | God's wisdom in creation |
| Jeremiah 23:20 | "The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the thoughts of his heart." | God's purposeful actions |
| Luke 10:22 | "No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." | Unfathomable relationship within Trinity |
| 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 | "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit... these things God has prepared for those who love him." | God reveals His wisdom through the Spirit |
| Ephesians 3:10 | "so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." | God's wisdom made known |
| Colossians 1:16-17 | "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together." | Christ's role in creation and sustaining |
| Hebrews 1:3 | "who, though he is the radiance of his glory and the exact image of his nature, and upholds all things by the word of his power." | Christ upholding all things |
| Revelation 5:12 | "...worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" | Christ's ultimate wisdom and glory |
| Romans 8:28 | "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." | God's overarching plan for good |
| Romans 9:20 | "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to him who molded it, 'Why have you made me like this?'" | God's right to fashion His creation |
| 1 Corinthians 1:24 | "...Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." | Christ as God's wisdom |
| Ephesians 1:4-5 | "...he chose us in him before the foundation of the world..." | God's eternal plan and choice |
| Philippians 2:6 | "...who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped," | Christ's divine nature |
| 1 Timothy 6:16 | "...who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see." | God's inaccessibility in His glory |
| Psalm 92:5 | "How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep." | Depth of God's thoughts |
| 1 Samuel 2:3 | "Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." | God's knowledge and judgment |
| Isaiah 55:8-9 | "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." | God's ways are higher than ours |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 34 Meaning
The verse asserts that God's ultimate wisdom and knowledge are immeasurable. All His decisions and plans are perfect and beyond human comprehension. His sovereignty dictates that all things, from the grandest creation to the smallest detail, ultimately serve His purposes.
Romans 11 34 Context
Romans chapter 11 concludes Paul's extended theological discourse on God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. After discussing Israel's rejection of Christ and the subsequent inclusion of the Gentiles, Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and judgment. He highlights how God's sovereign plan, which incorporates the stumbling and eventual restoration of Israel, ultimately displays His glorious purposes. This verse serves as a doxology, an expression of praise, acknowledging the incomprehensible and unfailing nature of God's divine plan, which encompasses all of history and humanity.
Romans 11 34 Word Analysis
- TiV (Tiv) - "Who": An interrogative pronoun, marking the beginning of a rhetorical question. This emphasizes the impossibility of a human answer.
- VreThtasTN (Hreistatēs) - "Who has instructed/guided": From hraistáō, meaning to teach, guide, instruct. It signifies an authoritative imparting of knowledge or direction. The aorist tense suggests a completed action.
- KURIOS (KURIOS) - "LORD": Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Used here to denote God's absolute authority and sovereignty.
- Tou / YEU (tou / nu)? - "HAVE OF? / OF THE LORD?": This question highlights that no human counsel has guided or influenced God's divine plan.
- Kai (kai) - "or": Connects the preceding clause with the following, creating a compound rhetorical question.
- Tis / EUUEAUTN (tis / euerateen)? - "WHO HAS KNOWN? / HIS MIND?": Another rhetorical question. Tise is an indefinite pronoun "who." Euerateen* (mind, understanding, intellect) implies God's thoughts, plans, and intentions. The perfect tense emphasizes the enduring state of not knowing God's mind.
- EUUEATOS (Eueratos) - "HIS MIND": From nous, meaning mind, intellect, understanding, purpose. This refers to God's thoughts and internal reasoning.
- Egeneto (egeneto) - "HAS BECOME / MADE": From ginomai, a verb indicating to become or be made. It’s used here to pose the question of who could have instructed or known God's mind as if making or shaping it.
- Nen (nun)? - "NOW": Adverb of time. In the present context, it emphasizes that even at this present moment, and throughout time, no one has gained such knowledge.
- TINU? (tinU)? - "ANY": Indefinite pronoun. Together with the preceding questions, it strongly conveys the utter incomprehensibility of God's plans.
Word Groups Analysis
- "Who has instructed the LORD?": This phrase targets the human assumption of being able to guide or correct God. It’s a direct challenge to any pride or intellectual arrogance that believes human wisdom can inform or direct divine action.
- "or who has been his counselor?": Reinforces the first question, asking who could possibly offer advice or counsel that God would need to consider.
- "For from him and through him and to him are all things.": This trinitarian expression of God's pervasive agency asserts His ultimate authorship, sustenance, and purpose for all existence.
- "from him": Points to God as the originator, the uncaused cause.
- "through him": Denotes His continuous sustaining power and agency in all things.
- "to him": Highlights His ultimate goal and final destination for all creation – His glory and purposes.
- "To him be glory forever! Amen.": This is a doxology, a declaration of praise and honor to God. It's a fitting conclusion to Paul's complex theological arguments, returning the focus to God's supreme worth and eternal reign. "Amen" signifies agreement and affirmation.
Romans 11 34 Bonus Section
The construction of the rhetorical questions, especially the parallel use of "who has instructed" and "who has been his counselor," echoes Old Testament prophetic challenges to pagan deities who were thought to have human-like limitations or needs for advice. This verse can be seen as a strong affirmation of the singular, supreme deity of the God of Israel in contrast to any polytheistic or dualistic philosophies. The encompassing phrase "from him and through him and to him are all things" is a classic statement of Christian orthodoxy concerning God's eternal purpose and activity in creation and redemption, found in various formulations throughout Christian theology and liturgy. This verse also serves as a precursor to the extensive use of doxologies throughout the Pauline epistles, which often cap complex theological discussions with expressions of praise.
Romans 11 34 Commentary
This verse is a profound statement of divine sovereignty and wisdom. Paul expresses awe at the inscrutability of God's plans, particularly concerning Israel's place in salvation history. The rhetorical questions challenge any attempt by humans to fathom or dictate God's ways. The ultimate conclusion is that God alone is the source, sustainer, and final goal of all that exists. This understanding should lead to worship and submission, recognizing that His purposes, though beyond our grasp, are always perfect and aimed at His glory.
- Practical implication: When faced with confusing or difficult circumstances in life or in understanding God's dealings with His people, we are called to trust in His unfailing wisdom and sovereignty rather than trying to dissect every aspect. Our response should be one of praise and surrender.