SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:34
Porque ¿quin entendi el intento del Seor? ¿O quin fue su consejero?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 11:34
Verse 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord?] Who can pretend to penetrate the counsels of God, or fathom the reasons of his conduct? His designs and his counsels are like himself, infinite; and, consequently, inscrutable. It is strange that, with such a scripture as this before their eyes, men should sit down and coolly and positively write about counsels and decrees of God formed from all eternity, of which they speak with as much confidence and decision as if they had formed a part of the council of the Most High, and had been with him in the beginning of his ways! A certain writer, (Mr. Perkins,) after having entered into all these counsels, and drawn out his black-lined scheme of absolute and eternal reprobation, with all its causes and effects; and then his light-lined scheme of absolute and eternal ELECTION, with all its causes and effects, all deduced in the most regular and graduated order, link by link; concludes with ver. 23: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how UNSEARCHABLE are his judgments, and his ways PAST FINDING OUT! But this writer forgot that he had searched out God's judgments in the one case, and found out his ways in the other: and that he had given, as a proof of the success of his researches, a complete exhibition of the whole scheme! This conduct is worthy of more than mere reprehension; and yet he who differs from such opinions gives, in the apprehension of some, this proof of his being included in some of the links of the black list! We may rest with the conviction, that God is as merciful and good in all his ways, as he is wise and just. But as we cannot comprehend him, neither can we his operations, it is our place, who are the objects of his infinite mercy and kindness, to adore in silence, and to obey with alacrity and delight.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord , etc..] The intentions of his mind, the thoughts of his heart, and the counsels of his will: these could never have been known, if he had not revealed them; nor can the doctrines relating to them, though externally revealed, be known by the natural man, or by the mere dint of nature, but only by the light of the Spirit of God; who searches them, and makes them known in a spiritual manner to spiritual men, who have a spiritual discerning of them; and yet even by these they are not known perfectly, only in part, and are seen through a glass darkly: or who hath been his counsellor ? or was of his council, when all things were fixed according to his sovereign will: when the scheme of man's salvation was consulted and agreed upon between the eternal Three, there was no creature, angel, or man there; no created angel, only the eternal One, the Counsellor, ( Isaiah 9:6); or as the Septuagint there style him, aggelov megalhv boulhv , the angel of the great council; none but Father, Son, and Spirit, were present, when the book of life was made, when the names of God's elect were put into it, and others left out; when all things relating to his chosen ones, both for time and eternity, whether among Jews or Gentiles, were determined, ordered, and settled; and as there was no creature that assisted, or could give any advice about these matters, so there were none that were privy to the resolutions, determinations, and counsels of his will; which were purposed in himself and in his Son, and were known only to them and his Spirit, which is in him: from the whole it appears, that predestination is not according to men's works, or the foresight of them; for then these things would be plain and easy, they would not be unsearchable and past finding out; there would not be an unfathomable depth in them; the mind and counsels of God, and the springs of them, would be obvious; but it is according to his secret, sovereign, and unchangeable will.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 33-36 - The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well a ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their ow weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divin counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadt and length, Eph 3:18, and that passing knowledge. There is that vas distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator an the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to ou peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Sprin and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These includ all God's relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and throug Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God' glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
τις 5101 I-NSM γαρ 1063 CONJ εγνω 1097 5627 V-2AAI-3S νουν 3563 N-ASM κυριου 2962 N-GSM η 2228 PRT τις 5101 I-NSM συμβουλος 4825 N-NSM αυτου 846 P-GSM εγενετο 1096 5633 V-2ADI-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
34. Who hath known, etc. From Isa. xl. 13. Heb., Who hath measured the Spirit? Though measured may be rendered tried, proved, regulated. Compare the same citation in 1 Cor. ii. 16. This is the only passage in the Septuagint where ruach spirit is translated by nouv mind. Known (egnw) may refer to God's gnwsiv knowledge and ways in ver. 33; counselor to His wisdom and judgments. No one has counseled with Him in forming His decisions.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:34 {Who hath known?} (tis egn"?). Second aorist active indicative of ginwskw, a timeless aorist, did know, does know, will know. Quotation from #Isa 40:13. Quoted already in #1Co 2:16. {Counsellor} (sumboulos). Old word from sun and boule. Only here in N.T. {His} (autou). Objective genitive, counsellor to him (God). Some men seem to feel competent for the job.
