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 |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 40:13-14 | "Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord... counsel him and instruct him..." | Source for Paul's questions; God's unmatchable wisdom. |
| Job 11:7-9 | "Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits..." | God's unsearchable knowledge and vastness. |
| Psa 147:5 | "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite." | God's boundless wisdom. |
| Isa 55:8-9 | "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says..." | God's superior thoughts and ways to humans. |
| Jer 23:18 | "For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, and perceived and heard..." | None has access to God's full counsel. |
| Dan 2:20-22 | "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever... He gives wisdom..." | God alone has wisdom and knowledge. |
| Prov 16:9 | "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." | God's ultimate direction over human plans. |
| Prov 19:21 | "Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that..." | God's counsel prevails over all. |
| Prov 21:30 | "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord." | Human wisdom cannot overcome God's will. |
| Isa 46:9-11 | "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me..." | God's sovereignty and determined plans. |
| Psa 33:10-11 | "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the..." | God's counsel stands forever, sovereign over all. |
| Eph 1:11 | "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according..." | God works all things according to His own counsel. |
| Job 38:1-4 | "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?... I will..." | God challenges human presumption of wisdom. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own..." | Call for human humility and reliance on God. |
| Eccl 3:11 | "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity..." | Humans cannot find out God's work from beginning to end. |
| Eccl 8:17 | "No one can find out the work of God that is done under the sun. For..." | Human inability to comprehend God's entire work. |
| Deut 29:29 | "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which..." | Distinction between revealed and secret knowledge of God. |
| 1 Cor 2:10-11 | "For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God... " | Only God's Spirit knows God's thoughts. |
| 1 Cor 2:16 | "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we..." | Paul re-quotes Isa 40:13, then provides contrast via "mind of Christ". |
| Psa 139:6 | "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it." | Acknowledgment of God's surpassing knowledge. |
| Heb 4:13 | "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are..." | God's omniscient knowledge. |
| Rev 15:3-4 | "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true..." | Worship of God based on His righteous and wise works. |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 34 Meaning
Romans 11:34 underscores the infinite, unsearchable wisdom and complete self-sufficiency of God. It poses two rhetorical questions, emphatically declaring that no human or creature can fully comprehend God's thoughts, purposes, or ultimate plan, nor can any provide counsel or advice to Him. This highlights God's transcendence, sovereignty, and supreme intellect, demanding human humility and absolute trust in His mysterious yet perfect ways.
Romans 11 34 Context
Romans 11:34 is the beginning of a profound doxology (verses 33-36) that climaxes Paul's intricate theological argument in chapters 9-11. These chapters address God's sovereign plan concerning Israel and the Gentiles, particularly the mystery of Israel's temporary hardening and future salvation. Paul acknowledges the "depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God" and His "unsearchable judgments and His unfathomable ways" in Romans 11:33. Verse 34 serves as the explanatory reason why God's judgments and ways are unsearchable—because no one can truly grasp God's infinite mind or presume to advise Him. The historical-cultural context points to ancient monarchs who often had human counselors. Paul's reference to Isaiah 40:13 emphasizes that unlike earthly rulers, the supreme God requires no human insight or counsel; He is perfectly self-sufficient in His wisdom and decrees.
Romans 11 34 Word analysis
For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding one, introducing the reason for God's unsearchable judgments and unfathomable ways. It functions explanatorily.
who (τίς - tis): A rhetorical interrogative pronoun. It is used to pose a question where the answer "no one" is self-evident and powerfully implied. This emphasizes the impossibility of the proposition.
has known (ἔγνω - egno): An aorist active indicative form of γινώσκω (ginosko), meaning to know, understand, perceive. In this context, it implies a complete and intimate understanding of the inner workings and rationale of God's thoughts and plans.
the mind (νοῦν - noun): Refers to the intellect, understanding, thoughts, purpose, or reason. It encompasses not merely facts but the comprehensive framework of God's intentionality and wisdom.
of the Lord (Κυρίου - Kuriou): The title "Lord" refers to God the Father, underscoring His ultimate authority, sovereignty, and divine nature, contrasting His omnipotence with human limitations.
Or (ἢ - ē): A disjunctive conjunction, introducing a second rhetorical question that further reinforces the first point through a different aspect.
who (τίς - tis): Again, a rhetorical interrogative, forcefully implying "no one."
has become (ἐγένετο - egeneto): An aorist middle/passive indicative form of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning to become, to be, to come into existence. Here, it refers to acting as or fulfilling the role of.
His counselor (σύμβουλος αὐτοῦ - symboullos autou):
- counselor (σύμβουλος - symboullos): One who gives advice, counsel, or participates in decision-making. This role in human terms is highly esteemed for guiding rulers.
- His (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun referring back to "the Lord," emphasizing that even a divine counselor for Him is unnecessary and impossible for humans.
"who has known the mind of the Lord?": This phrase questions the very possibility of human beings attaining comprehensive knowledge and insight into God's full counsel and reasoning. It declares God's intellect utterly superior and unsearchable.
"Or who has become His counselor?": This phrase further emphasizes God's supreme authority and independence, asserting that no one has ever advised God or contributed to His plans, thereby establishing His self-sufficiency and infallible wisdom.
Romans 11 34 Bonus section
Paul's choice to directly allude to or quote Isaiah 40:13 in Romans 11:34 is significant. Isaiah 40 speaks to God's unparalleled greatness, omnipotence, and wisdom in comforting His people in exile, emphasizing His sovereignty over all nations. By applying this to the mystery of Israel's salvation, Paul underscores that God's plan, however puzzling to human minds, is executed with the same transcendent wisdom and unassailable authority. This passage operates on the principle of via negativa, indicating what God is not—He is not limited in knowledge like humans, nor does He require advice. It distinguishes God fundamentally from all created beings, reinforcing His uniqueness. Furthermore, it's crucial to note the subtle yet profound distinction between Romans 11:34 and 1 Corinthians 2:16, where Paul again quotes Isaiah 40:13 ("For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?") but adds, "But we have the mind of Christ." This seemingly contradictory statement implies that while no human by natural ability can know or counsel God, through the Spirit of God working in Christ, believers are granted a measure of spiritual discernment to understand God's revealed will. This doesn't mean comprehending His unsearchable decrees but understanding what He has chosen to reveal for our salvation and living.
Romans 11 34 Commentary
Romans 11:34 powerfully culminates Paul's preceding argument by affirming God's absolute wisdom and sovereignty. Directly quoting Isaiah 40:13, Paul challenges any human presumption to fully grasp the complexities of God's divine plan, especially concerning the interplay of Jewish and Gentile salvation. The rhetorical questions demand an answer of "no one," driving home the point that God is incomparable and completely self-sufficient. His wisdom is not contingent on human input or limited by human understanding. This verse mandates profound humility from believers, inviting awe rather than inquiry into the precise mechanisms or reasons behind God's decrees, particularly when they seem paradoxical or mysterious to us. It asserts that God's plans are perfect precisely because they originate from an infinite, unadvised mind, fostering absolute trust in His dealings with creation and humanity. Practically, it encourages surrendering intellectual arguments concerning God's ways and instead resting in His inherent goodness and wisdom, even amidst the unexplained.