The Meaning of Romans 11:34 Explained

Romans 11:34

KJV: For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

YLT: for who did know the mind of the Lord? or who did become His counsellor?

Darby: For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?

ASV: For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  who  hath known  the mind  of the Lord?  or  who  hath been  his  counsellor? 

What does Romans 11:34 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul agreed with Isaiah again ( Isaiah 40:13-14). No one can know God"s mind fully. God is so wise that He has no need of counselors.

Context Summary

Romans 11:25-36 - That God "might Have Mercy Upon All"
"Mysteries" are the reasons and principles of the divine procedure which are hidden from ordinary minds, but revealed to the children of God by the Spirit, who searches the deep things, 1 Corinthians 2:10. We cannot tell how near the brim we are, or when the fullness of the Gentiles will fill the predestined measure. It may be much nearer than we suppose, and then the door will be closed, and the Hebrew nation will be grafted in to serve the divine program in the last stages of human history. They are still beloved for their fathers' sake, and the day is coming when all their sins will be forgiven and taken away.
We may go a certain distance in the devout understanding of the ways of God, but there is a point beyond which we cannot advance; and as we gaze down into the profound abyss of the divine dealings, we must cry, O the depth! Romans 11:33. The origin, the maintenance, and the ultimate end of creation, providence, and redemption, is God. To Him must be the glory! In other words, we shall find that the whole story of sin, redemption, and salvation will unravel and reveal the nature of God, as the prismatic band of color the sunlight. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 11

1  God has not cast off all Israel
7  Some were elected, though the rest were hardened
16  There is hope of their conversion
18  The Gentiles may not exult over them;
26  for there is a promise of their salvation
33  God's judgments are unsearchable

Greek Commentary for Romans 11:34

Who hath known? [τις εγνω]
Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō a timeless aorist, did know, does know, will know. Quotation from Isaiah 40:13. Quoted already in 1 Corinthians 2:16. [source]
Counsellor [συμβουλος]
Old word from συν — sun and βουλη — boulē Only here in N.T. His (αυτου — autou). Objective genitive, counsellor to him (God). Some men seem to feel competent for the job. [source]
His [αυτου]
Objective genitive, counsellor to him (God). Some men seem to feel competent for the job. [source]
Who hath known, etc. []
From Isaiah 40:13. Heb., Who hath measured the Spirit? Though measured may be rendered tried, proved, regulated. Compare the same citation in 1 Corinthians 2:16. This is the only passage in the Septuagint where ruach spirit is translated by νοῦς mindKnown ( ἔγνω ) may refer to God's γνῶσις knowledgeand ways in Romans 11:33; counselor to His wisdom and judgments. No one has counseled with Him in forming His decisions. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 11:34

1 Corinthians 2:16 Mind [νοῦν]
See on Romans 7:23. The understanding of the Lord. The divine counsels or purposes which are the results of the divine thought. See on Romans 11:34. [source]
Revelation 3:18 I counsel [συμβουλευω]
Present active indicative, old compound from συμβουλος — sumboulos counsellor (Romans 11:34), as in John 18:14. Almost ironical in tone. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 11:34 mean?

Who for has known [the] mind of [the] Lord or counselor of Him has been
Τίς γὰρ ἔγνω νοῦν Κυρίου σύμβουλος αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο

ἔγνω  has  known 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γινώσκω  
Sense: to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel.
νοῦν  [the]  mind 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: νοῦς  
Sense: the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining.
Κυρίου  of  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
σύμβουλος  counselor 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σύμβουλος  
Sense: an adviser, counsellor.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐγένετο  has  been 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.

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