God’s Word Translation
Romans 11:34
34“Who knows how the Lord thinks? Who can become his adviser?”
Romans 11:34 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
- New International Version (NIV)“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
- English Standard Version (ESV)"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?”
Context of Romans 11:34
32God has placed all people into the prison of their own disobedience so that he could be merciful to all people. 33God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways. “Who knows how the Lord thinks? Who can become his adviser?” 35Who gave the Lord something which the Lord must pay back? 36Everything is from him and by him and for him. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen!
Read all of Romans 11Romans 11:34 word by word
τίς γὰρ ἔγνω νοῦν κυρίου; ἢ τίς σύμβουλος αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Romans 11:34
- Job 15:8Did you listen in on God’s council meeting and receive a monopoly on wisdom?
- Job 36:22“God does great things by his power. Is there any teacher like him?
- Isaiah 40:13Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord or instructed him as his adviser?
- Jeremiah 23:18Who is in the Lord’s inner circle and sees and hears his word? Who pays attention and listens to his word?
- 1 Corinthians 2:16“Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?” However, we have the mind of Christ.
Commentaries on Romans 11:34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? - Who can pretend to penetrate the counsels of God, or fathom the reasons of his conduct? His designs and his counsels are like himself, infinite; and, consequently, inscrutable. It is strange that, with such a scripture as this before their eyes, men should sit down and coolly and positively write about counsels and decrees of God formed from all eternity, of which they speak with as much confidence and decision…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 34For who hath known? - This verse is a quotation, with a slight change, from Isaiah 40:13, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” It is designed to express the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God, by affirming that no being could teach him, or counsel him. Earthly monarchs have counsellors of state, whom they may consult in times of perplexity or danger. But God has no such council. He sits alone; nor does…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 33-36Verses 33-36 The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 34-3534-35. For who hath known the mind of the Lord?--See Job 15:8; Jr 23:18. or who hath been his counsellor--See Is 40:13, 14.Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 11:34
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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