New English Translation
Romans 11:34
34For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?
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
32For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. 33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? 35Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? 36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory 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 15:8Do you listen in on God’s secret council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?
- Job 36:22Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
- Isaiah 40:13Who comprehends the mind of the Lord, or gives him instruction as his counselor?
- Jeremiah 23:18Yet which of them has ever stood in the Lord’s inner circle so they could see and hear what he has to say? Which of them have ever paid attention or listened to what he has said?
- 1 Corinthians 2:16For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise him? But 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
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