Romans

11:33-36

Arguments in support of the proposition, 1:18-11:36

4. God's true Israel consists of the children of promise, not the children of law, 9:1-11:36

v] Conclusion: The majesty of God displayed in global salvation

Paul concludes his argument begun in 9:1 with a doxology of gratitude. Many Israelites have failed to appropriate the blessings of the covenant, yet a remnant have and this remnant, along with an influx of Gentiles, is but a taste of God's ultimate mercy - of his faithfulness to the covenant promises. To this end Paul is "lost in wonder, love and praise."

For an overview of the main interpretive approaches to chapters 9-11 see notes for 9: 1-5

\W "Oh" - An exclamation expressing deep emotion of awe and wonder.

baqoV (oV) "the depth" - depth. Deep in the sense of a deep, or high (depending on how you view it) pile of gold, money, etc. "The inexhaustible and unsearchable fullness of God", Strobel.

ploutou (oV) gen. "of the riches" - of riches. The "depth/fullness" is modified by the genitive "of riches", a "fullness" that consists of abundant spiritual riches. Similarly for "wisdom" (a "fullness" that consists of the divine plan of salvation / mercy ????) and "knowledge" (a "fullness" that consists of the totality of God's knowledge. Note that often the genitive "of God" is treated as an objective genitive, of our knowledge about God). "O the depth of the wealth, and of the wisdom, and of the knowledge of God."

anexeraunhta adj. "unsearchable" - unfathomable [the judgments of him]. Expressing "the complete impossibility of any of the human race penetrating the mind of God", Morris.

anexicniastoi (oV) "beyond tracing out" - incomprehensible, inscrutable. "How could man ever understand the reasons for (His) action, or explain the methods of (His) working?", Phillips.

Isaiah 40:13. Paul uses this quote and the one following, to support his statement in v33a. Isaiah is not quite saying that God's ways are inscrutable, although Paul certainly uses the quote to this end.

gar "-" - for. Here transitional, but possibly a bit causal; "and so we read", Cassirer.

sumbouloV (oV) "counselor" - counselor, advisor. hapax legomenon, once only use in the NT. The question intends a negative answer, "no one has the authority or ability to counsel God." For Isaiah, the question relates to the scepticism of Israel with regard to God's promises; for Paul the issue concerns the majesty of God. Jewett suggests that behind the quote lies a barb directed at the Gentile members of the Roman church whose anti-Semitism has clouded their understanding of the place of Israel in God's plans. This view is widely held in new-perspective circles.

Job 41:3, although certainly not a direct quote. Again expressing the majesty of God in an ironic statement/question; "what man ever gave God anything that put God in his debt?", Barclay.

kai "-" - and. Introducing "a result that comes from what precedes", BAGD.

proedwken (prodidwmi) aor. "given to [God]" - previously gave, gave before [to him]. Hapax legomenon. Referring to a payment made in advance.

The construction of this verse involves the piling up of prepositional phrases which serve well to express a final note of praise and adoration.

oJti "for" - Here expressing cause/reason.

ex + gen. "from [him]" - out of, from. God as the source of all things.

dia + gen. "through [him]" - through, by means of. God as the instrument of all things.

eiV + acc. "to him" - to, into. Possibly "all things are for him, but more likely in a directional sense, "toward", "he is the goal of them all", Cassirer; "all ends in him", Moffatt; the "all", ta panta, being the totality of everything.

eiV touV aiwnaV "forever" - to the ages. Paul is ascribing all glory to God for eternity.

Romans Introduction.

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