We have reached the conclusion of Paul’s dense yet highly important discussion about his fellow Jews in chapters 9-11. Paul’s closing thoughts are filled with praise, awe, and deep respect for how God is working with both Jews and Gentiles.
He drew on two Old Testament passages (Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11) to highlight God’s wisdom and sovereignty in His dealings with humanity.
O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him,
to receive a gift in return?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11.33-36).
We seldom use the word “inscrutable” in conversations. What does it mean for God to have unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways?
The Greek word is often translated as “unsearchable,” “inscrutable,” or “unfathomable.” It means we are unable “to track out,” “to explore,” “to investigate, or “fully comprehend” God’s actions in history.
It may injure human pride to know that God’s plans, purposes, and knowledge are so vast and complex that they cannot be fully grasped by human beings. However, that is the case.
Karl Barth, a highly respected theologian of the last century, emphasized that God exists outside of creation and can only be known through the gracious revelation of His being and purposes.
The best approach to God’s revelation is humility and respect. As is frequently said, “I don’t worry about what I can’t understand about God. What I worry about is what I do understand and fail to obey.”
From Him, Through Him, To Him
Paul concludes this discussion with a doxology—a brief hymn or expression of praise to God.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11.36).
As the Creator everything in the universe all things are from him and through him. Paul restates this truth in his letter to the Colossians.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16).
John proclaims with Paul that Jesus is God’s agent of creation: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3).
Isaiah puts the relationship between the Creator and His creation into perspective. We are completely wrong to respond to God as if we know more than He does.
You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’? (Isaiah 29:16).
The proper response is humility and a willingness to follow God’s guidance.
Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8).
God is due the praise, adoration, and worship of all of His creation. The Psalm writer had it right.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1).
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures (Psalm 104:24).
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is humankind that you are mindful of them? (Psalm 8:3-4).
As members of God’s creation, we recognize that from Him and through Him we exist. We give to God the praise and worship He is due, as living sacrifices (see Romans 12.1 – tomorrow’s article).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 