Romans 11 36

Romans 11:36 kjv

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Romans 11:36 nkjv

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:36 niv

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 11:36 esv

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:36 nlt

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Romans 11 verses

Romans 11 36 Meaning

Romans 11:36 is a profound doxology that culminates Paul's extensive theological discourse in the preceding chapters. It asserts God's absolute and comprehensive sovereignty over all creation, declaring Him as the ultimate source from which all things originate, the continuous agent through whom all things are sustained and operate, and the final purpose toward whom all things are directed. This verse unequivocally positions God as the Alpha and Omega of the universe, affirming that every aspect of existence, history, and salvation ultimately belongs to Him. The logical consequence and ultimate response to this reality is the perpetual attribution of glory to His name, affirmed with a decisive "Amen."

Romans 11 36 Context

Romans 11:36 stands as the powerful and ultimate theological summary, or doxology, to Paul's extensive argument in chapters 9-11. These chapters address the profound questions surrounding God's faithfulness to Israel despite their rejection of Christ, and the unexpected inclusion of the Gentiles into the covenant people. Paul intricately navigates God's mysterious and sovereign plan, detailing Israel's partial hardening (11:7-10), the Gentile ingrafting (11:11-24), and the future, ultimate salvation of all Israel (11:25-32). Having explored the "depth" of God's unsearchable judgments and uninvestigable ways in 11:33-35—questioning who has known His mind or been His counselor—Paul then breaks into this declaration of praise. It signifies that the incomprehensibility and wisdom of God's redemptive strategy can only be understood by recognizing His absolute originative, operative, and purposive sovereignty over all things, prompting a necessary response of worship rather than intellectual full comprehension. The doxology also reinforces the theological basis against human boasting or claiming credit, which Paul combats throughout the entire letter, particularly concerning salvation (e.g., Rom 3:27).

Romans 11 36 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ, gar): A conjunction that serves as a logical connector, explaining or substantiating the preceding thoughts, particularly the exclamation about God's unsearchable ways (Rom 11:33-35). It provides the theological basis for why God's wisdom is beyond human comprehension: because He is the all-encompassing reality.
• from Him (ἐξ αὐτοῦ, ex autou): "From" (ἐκ, ek) signifies the ultimate source, origin, and efficient cause. This emphasizes God as the uncreated, self-existent font from which all other existence flows. Nothing exists independently or outside of God's originating creative act and will.
• and (καὶ, kai): A simple coordinating conjunction connecting the distinct aspects of God's relationship to "all things."
• through Him (δι’ αὐτοῦ, di' autou): "Through" (διά, dia, with the genitive) denotes the instrumental, mediating, and sustaining power. It portrays God not merely as a distant creator but as actively upholding, governing, and maintaining all things in continuous operation. All causality in creation finds its ultimate basis and enablement through His will.
• and (καὶ, kai): Again, a simple conjunction linking the second and third aspects.
• to Him (εἰς αὐτὸν, eis auton): "To" (εἰς, eis, with the accusative) expresses the ultimate end, purpose, and final goal. All creation moves towards, exists for, and ultimately glorifies Him. This highlights God as the telos of existence; everything finds its meaning and consummation in Him.
• are (ἐστὶ, esti): The present tense verb "to be" underscores the ongoing, timeless, and fundamental truth of this reality. It's an enduring state, not a past event or a future possibility.
• all things (τὰ πάντα, ta panta): A comprehensive term referring to everything in existence without exception—the entire cosmos, spiritual beings, human history, salvific acts, and future events. This universal scope asserts God's total and undivided dominion over all reality.
• To Him (αὐτῷ, autō): Dative case of "Him," serving as the direct object for the glory. It powerfully echoes the final "to Him" in the preceding phrase, emphasizing the recipient of worship.
• be (ἔστω, estō): The imperative verb "let it be" or "may it be" functions as a declarative wish or solemn affirmation in a doxological context. It is an acknowledgment of a divine right, not a plea for a possibility.
• glory (ἡ δόξα, hē doxa): Denotes honor, praise, renown, inherent worth, splendor, and majestic reputation. It speaks to God's intrinsic excellence and manifest perfections.
• forever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, eis tous aiōnas): Literally "into the ages," signifying eternal duration without end. God's right to glory is not bound by time but is everlasting and ceaseless.
• Amen (Ἀμήν, Amēn): A transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "truthfully," "so be it," or "let it be established." It serves as a conclusive affirmation, confirming the truth and certainty of the doxology.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "from Him and through Him and to Him" (ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ δι’ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν): This tripartite prepositional construction eloquently captures the entire sweep of divine causality, forming a perfect circle of God's sovereignty. "From Him" establishes God as the transcendent, ultimate Source of being. "Through Him" portrays His immanent, active, and instrumental role in maintaining and governing all existence. "To Him" affirms His position as the transcendent, ultimate Purpose and Goal toward which everything moves. This unified expression prevents deism (a distant God), pantheism (God identified with creation), or anthropocentrism (humanity as the primary focus), asserting a distinct, active, and purposive God over and in all things. It implies that every atom, every event, and every will exists solely within His overarching framework and for His ultimate purpose.
• "are all things" (ἐστὶ τὰ πάντα): The absolute universality of "all things" coupled with "are" signifies a comprehensive, existential truth. Nothing—visible, invisible, material, spiritual, good, or evil (in the sense of God's allowing for and orchestrating for His glory, not originating evil directly)—lies outside this divine encompassing. It means creation, redemption, history, and individual lives are all enclosed within God's single, coherent, and glorious design.
• "To Him be glory forever" (αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας): This culminating phrase is a worshipful response. Because God is the origin, sustainer, and goal of "all things," it naturally and inevitably follows that He alone is worthy of all honor, praise, and magnificent display, for all time. This transforms the theological statement into an ultimate act of worship, stating that the very existence and operation of the universe exist to reflect and ultimately return glory to its Creator.

Romans 11 36 Bonus section

This powerful doxology has several deeper implications beyond its surface meaning:

• Trinitarian Allusion: While not explicitly naming the persons of the Godhead, many theologians recognize an echo of the Trinity in the threefold causality. God the Father is the ultimate Source ("from Him"); God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the active Agent and Mediator in creation and redemption ("through Him" – compare John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2); and the ultimate end is to bring glory back to the Father, often through the Spirit ("to Him"). This highlights the cooperative work within the Godhead in all cosmic affairs.
• Ultimate Meaning and Purpose: This verse unequivocally establishes the telos (ultimate end or purpose) of the entire universe and all within it: the glory of God. This challenges any anthropocentric worldview that places humanity or any other created entity at the center. It implies that everything, from the smallest atom to the grandest galaxy, from the mundane act to the most profound redemptive moment, exists to display and magnify the inherent excellence and perfections of its Creator.
• Philosophical Implications: Paul's statement confronts contemporary and future philosophical systems that posit uncaused causes other than God, a self-sustaining universe, or an existence without inherent purpose. It provides a robust, coherent theological framework where contingency and purpose are firmly rooted in the transcendent, omnipotent, and ultimately personal God. It also means that absolute determinism and free will, while complex issues, must always be understood within this greater framework of God's all-encompassing sovereignty.

Romans 11 36 Commentary

Romans 11:36 is not merely an emotional outburst but a foundational theological summary of divine sovereignty after Paul's profound arguments on God's mysterious dealings with Israel and the Gentiles. It establishes an utterly God-centered worldview, wherein all existence and all processes find their source, maintenance, and ultimate meaning solely in God. The "from Him, through Him, to Him" structure leaves no room for anything outside God's comprehensive purview or ultimate aim. He is the alpha and the omega, the architect, builder, and homeowner of the cosmos. This radical monotheism demands that all honor and praise return to Him eternally, affirming His unchallengeable supremacy and absolute worth. This truth offers profound comfort in chaos, assurance in doubt, and grounds for persistent worship, for even suffering or uncertainty ultimately fall within the glorious, unshakeable purpose of God. For instance, knowing that our gifts and abilities come from God (from Him), are empowered by Him (through Him), and should be used to honor Him (to Him) informs every aspect of a believer's life and service.