Romans 11:33–36

Context

Romans is a letter written by Paul to the church in Rome. In chapters 9–11, Paul addresses the fact that many Jews have not accepted the gospel and asks whether God's promises have failed. He explains that Israel's stumbling became the occasion for salvation to reach the Gentiles. He then concludes the discussion with the words "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all" (Romans 11:32). This passage is the doxology (a hymn ascribing glory to God) that immediately follows that conclusion.

Verse 34 draws on the language of Isaiah 40:13. Verse 35 is generally regarded as echoing Job 41:11. Both verses convey that no human being can serve as God's counselor or demand repayment from God. Verse 36 closes with three phrases: all things are "of" God, "through" God, and "to" God.

Interpretation

• Reformed reading: The Reformed tradition, including John Calvin, reads this doxology as a moment in which human beings, confronted with the mystery of God's sovereignty and election, cease disputing and respond in worship. Verse 36 is frequently cited as a basis for the confession "to God alone be the glory." It is also one of the proof texts for Question 1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (on the chief end of man).
• Arminian and Wesleyan reading: Interpreters in the Arminian and Wesleyan traditions emphasize the phrase "mercy upon all" in the immediately preceding verse 32. They hold that what this doxology praises is not a decree that rejects some but a plan of mercy toward all people. They also tend to read chapters 9–11 in terms of salvation history concerning Israel and the Gentiles rather than individual predestination.
• Trinitarian reading: Some Church Fathers, including Augustine, correlated the three phrases of verse 36 with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, reading the verse as an allusion to the Trinity. Modern commentators generally regard the verse as praise of God as the Creator and the goal of all things.

Debates and Issues

• Translation: The Greek syntax at the opening of verse 33 allows it to be read either as three coordinate terms, "the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge," or as "the depth of the riches of wisdom and knowledge." The Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul) and the New Korean Revised Version adopt the latter reading, while some modern translations follow the former.
• Use in the predestination debate: In debates over predestination, the description of God's judgments as "unsearchable" is often cited as grounds for answering objections to the doctrine of election. Others counter that an appeal to mystery should not be used to foreclose questions and that the focus of the context is mercy.
• Citation out of context: Verse 33 is often quoted as a word of comfort in the face of incomprehensible suffering. Some commentators note that the verse originally praised God's plan in salvation history. Others hold that such an application is reasonable, since the confession that God's ways cannot be fully known appears in many places in Scripture.

In the Korean Church

• In Presbyterian catechetical instruction, this passage is taught alongside Question 1 of the Shorter Catechism.
• The closing words of verse 36, "to whom be glory for ever. Amen," are sometimes used to conclude sermons or prayers.

Related Passages

• Romans 11:32
• Isaiah 40:13
• Job 41:11
• 1 Corinthians 8:4–6
• Colossians 1:15–17