Romans 11:34
What does Romans 11:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:34 means
Paul asks, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” The implied answer is no one. God’s wisdom is self-sufficient and beyond human advising. This rebukes any posture that would sit in judgment over God’s ways with Israel and the nations. Our role is not to design the plan of redemption but to receive it with reverent trust. By placing these questions here, Paul deepens humility born from beholding God’s saving strategy—one that no human mind would have devised, yet which perfectly displays righteousness and mercy in Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
KJV
King James Version · 1611For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who has knowledge of the mind of the Lord? or who has taken part in his purposes?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for who did know the mind of the Lord? or who did become His counsellor?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For who has known [the] mind of [the] Lord, or who has been his counsellor?
Context
Continuing the doxology begun in verse 33, verse 34 underscores the incomparability of God’s wisdom. It prepares for verse 35’s related question about whether anyone can put God in their debt. Together, they strip away human pretensions to counsel or claim upon God, fitting the theme of mercy that governed the chapter and clearing the way for the final declaration of God’s all-encompassing primacy in verse 36.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 36:22
Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?
- Job 15:8
Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself?
- 1 Corinthians 2:16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
- Isaiah 40:13
Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
- Jeremiah 23:18
For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked my word, and heard it?
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