Romans 11:35
What does Romans 11:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:35 means
A final rhetorical question presses the same point from another angle: who ever gave to God first, obligating Him to repay? The answer is no one. God owes no creature anything; all is of grace. This dismantles any notion that Israel—or Gentiles—could earn standing with God. Salvation is not God settling accounts with human merit but God lavishing mercy on the undeserving. By denying any prior claim upon God, Paul upholds the freeness of grace and the freedom of God. It paves the way for the concluding affirmation that everything originates from, is sustained by, and exists for God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Or who has first given to him, and it will be given back to him again?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862or who did first give to Him, and it shall be given back to him again?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890or who has first given to him, and it shall be rendered to him?
Context
Verse 35 complements verse 34 in the doxology, showing that God is neither counseled by us nor indebted to us. This perfectly matches the chapter’s emphasis on grace over works (verse 6) and mercy over boasting (verses 18–22, 30–32). With human pretensions silenced, verse 36 will ascribe all things to God’s originating, sustaining, and ultimate purpose, ending the section in unqualified praise.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 4:7
For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?
- Job 41:11
Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
- Job 35:7
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thy hand?
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