Romans 11:34

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 imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. 33Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? 35And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? 36For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Romans 11:34 word by word

τίς γὰρ ἔγνω νοῦν κυρίου; ἢ τίς σύμβουλος αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whoτίςtis · which?G5101
• hath knownγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• the mindνοῦςnous · mindG3563
• of the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• orἤē · orG2228
• hath beenγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• counsellorσύμβουλοςsumboulos · counselorG4825

Cross-references for Romans 11:34

• Job 15:8Were you listening at God’s secret council? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?
• Job 36:22“Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?
• Isaiah 40:13Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
• Jeremiah 23:18“Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?
• 1 Corinthians 2:16For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for 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

• God Continued...
• Holy Spirit
• Quotations and Allusions
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Cast
• Conclude
• Dark
• Depth
• Election
• Emulation
• Grace
• Judgment
• Rest
• Sea of glass

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