Devine Scripture

Romans 9:20

What does Romans 9:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 9:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 9:20 means

Paul rebukes the presumptuous tone of the objection: “O man, who are you to answer back to God?” He uses the image of a formed thing questioning its former. Creatures do not have standing to indict their Creator’s design. The point is not to silence all inquiry but to reject the accusation that God is unjust. By recalling the fundamental relation between Maker and made, Paul calls for humility: we are clay, not the Potter. God is wise and righteous in His choices, even when they surpass our understanding. Faith bows before God’s revealed character and word.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But, O man, who are you, to make answer against God? May the thing which is made say to him who made it, Why did you make me so?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

nay, but, O man, who art thou that art answering again to God? shall the thing formed say to Him who did form <FI>it<Fi> , Why me didst thou make thus?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it: Why hast thou made me thus?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Aye, but thou, O man, who art thou that answerest again toGod? Shall the thing formed say to him that has formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Context

This verse answers the complaint of verse 19 by challenging the posture behind it. Rather than explain away the tension, Paul appeals to the Creator-creature distinction. Verse 21 will expand the analogy with the potter’s authority over the clay, illustrating God’s right to assign different purposes. The following verses (22–24) will then suggest how God’s patience with vessels of wrath and His mercy on vessels of mercy reveal His glory, including among Gentiles.

v.19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?

v.20This passage

v.21Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:20

    Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

  • Job 36:23

    Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

  • Job 40:2

    Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.

  • Job 40:5

    Once have I spoken, and I will not answer; Yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.

  • Job 42:2

    I know that thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.

  • Isaiah 45:9

    Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

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