Reflections on Romans 11:33–36

“Oh, 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 that He might be repaid?’

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be glory forever. Amen.”
— Romans 11:33–36

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Three Declarations

(1) God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are infinitely unreachable

a. Riches — This may refer to the infinite resources of God, from which flow every divine blessing, or more likely, to the saving kindness expressed in His grace toward undeserving sinners (cf. Romans 11:12).

b. Wisdom — Points to the plan of salvation that unites both Jews and Gentiles in Christ — the grand design laid out in Romans 9–11.

c. Knowledge — Refers to God’s complete understanding of all things, and His flawless masterplan for history, redemption, and eternity.

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(2) God’s judgments are infinitely unsearchable

The word judgments may refer either to God’s judicial decisions — His righteous verdicts of condemnation or forgiveness —
or to His executive decisions governing the entire direction of salvation history (see Moo, Romans, 742).

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(3) God’s ways are infinitely unfathomable

The ways of God describe His providence — the mysterious, inscrutable paths by which He accomplishes salvation for His people.
His wisdom cannot be mapped; His will cannot be outsmarted; His plan cannot fail.

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Three Rhetorical Questions

(1) Who has ever figured out God’s mind?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. — Isaiah 55:8–9

(2) Who has ever told God what to do?

“Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows Him His counsel?” — Isaiah 40:13–14

(3) Who has ever made God His debtor?

God can never be anyone’s debtor, for He already owns everything.

“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” — Psalm 24:1

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Three Doxological Assertions

(1) All things are from God — He is the Source.

Everything originates in Him — creation, redemption, and every good gift.

(2) All things are through God — He is the Means.

Every act of grace and providence flows through His sustaining power.

(3) All things are to God — He is the Goal.

All creation exists for His glory; every redeemed life points back to Him.

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To Him Be Glory Forever

Paul ends where all true theology must end — in worship.
When we finally glimpse even a fraction of God’s wisdom,
the only fitting response is awe:

From Him. Through Him. To Him.
All glory to God forever. Amen.

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References

• Sam Storms, Biblical Studies: Romans (Edmond, OK: Sam Storms Ministries, 2016), Romans 11:36.
• Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996), p. 742.
• Scripture quotations from the ESV.

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