Romans 11:34-35

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 86 Chapter 11:34 – 35

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Last week
1. We look at three basic points in verse 33 (a.) “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God…” (b.) …how unsearchable are his judgments…” and (c.) …his ways past finding out!”
2. The words “depth” and “riches” speaks of Gods omniscience, His knowledge and wisdom are beyond anything we know, God only compares them to make them understandable to us.
3. The word “unsearchable” describes our inability to know the will of God, we can only figure out as it is manifested to us in time.
4. When God said “…his ways past finding out!” He means man will never figure out why or how God has done anything, Gods works will dumbfound the natural man attempting to prove how God has done something or is going to do something.
5. Beloved, we are feeble in mind even the smartest among us, man would do well to leave the works of God alone, because it will make them look ignorant even the brightest among us.
2. Verse 35 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?”

1. Paul loves to quote the book of Isaiah and this is where this comes from: Isaiah 40:12-17 “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? (13.) Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? (14.) With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? (15.) Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. (16.) And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. (17.) All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.”

a. When Paul said “For who hath known the mind of the Lord…” It is designed to express the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God, by affirming that no being not just human being but any created could teach him, or counsel him.

b. The Geneva study bible said; “He bridles the wicked boldness of man in three ways: firstly, because God is above all most wise, and therefore it is very absurd and plainly godless to measure him by our folly. Secondly, because he is debtor to no man, and therefore no man can complain of injury done to him. Thirdly, because all things are made for his glory, and therefore we must ascribe all things to his glory, much less may we contend and debate the matter with him.”

2. “…or who hath been his counsellor?”

a. We must never forget that God is Sovereign, Who acts, thinks, plans, and carries out His own plan of His will independently of humanity, “in the beginning was God” and before one single act of creation happened God had already planned out eternity future. He doesn’t need our counsel He needs our loyalty to follow His will.

b. Where was mans counsel when He elected sinners to salvation? Ephesians 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

c. Where was man when God elected that Jesus Christ die on the cross for our justification? John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

d. If God has numbered every hair on our heads, and if God knows our every need and has already elected what He will give to us all, then why would He need mans counsel?

3. Verse 36 “Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?”
1. This verse comes from Job 41:11 “Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.”
2. People think God owes them something, God owes us nothing, and we owe God everything.
3. Everything man has our sovereign God has given to us, although most will not admit it. We will never be able to thank God enough for His wonderful grace and gifts to u-sward. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
4. 1 Corinthians 4:6 - 7 “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. (7.) For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

4. Verse 37 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
1. Paul ascribes everything to Gods credit, He saves us, keeps us, and will glorify us in due time, our sovereign God has done it all and given it to us as a gift.
2. Life Application Bible Commentary said; “God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Omega of all life. Everything comes from him and is for him to use for his glory. God is almighty and all-powerful, but even more, he cares for us personally. No person or power can compare with God.”
3. J. Vernon McGee said; "Out of Him" means God is the all-sufficient cause and source of everything. "Through Him" means God is the mighty sustainer and worker. ". . . My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," Jesus said (John 5:17). "Unto Him" means God must call every creature to account to Him. All things flow toward God. "To whom be glory" -- the glory belongs to Him in all ages. Are we robbing God of His glory by taking credit for things we have no business to claim? The glory belongs to Him.”
4. God done all things FOR HIS GLORY therefore we are not to glory in things that the glory belongs to God. Our intellect (that is ones ability to think, reason, and understand) is a gift from God, just as is our ability to do anything.
5. Psalms 115:1 “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”
6. 2 Timothy 4:18 “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”