God’s "wisdom" is His ability to arrange His plan so it results in good for both Jews and Gentiles and His own glory. His "knowledge" testifies to His ability to construct such a plan. His decisions spring from logic that extends beyond human ability to comprehend. His procedures are so complex that humans cannot discover them without the aid of divine revelation. read more
4. Praise for God’s wise plan 11:33-36This doxology corresponds to the one at the end of chapter 8 where Paul concluded his exposition of God’s plan for bringing His righteousness to humankind (Romans 8:31-39). There the emphasis was on the people of God. Here it is on the plan of God."Here theology turns to poetry. Here the seeking of the mind turns to the adoration of the heart." [Note: Barclay, p. 167.] read more
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. read more
11:33 God! (f-12) Or 'O depth of God's riches, and wisdom, and knowledge.' read more
Israel’s Rejection not final. A Warning to the GentilesIn this chapter St. Paul brings to an end his great exposition of God’s dealings with the Jews. He has shown in Romans 9 that God is free to choose or reject individuals or nations as the instruments of His purpose; and, in Romans 10, that the Jews have deserved their rejection. Now he declares that, in spite of all this, God has not. cast off His ancient people. He has seen fit, in His mercy, to preserve a portion of them faithful to His... read more
(25-32) There was a deep meaning underlying the temporary rejection of Israel, of which he has been speaking—a meaning which has hitherto been kept secret, but now to be revealed as a corrective to any possible pride on the part of the Gentiles. read more
(32) Unhappy as the fate of the world might seem, first the Gentiles and then the Jews being consigned to a state of disobedience, this has really had a merciful object in the end. It will lead to a happy and complete reunion, “one flock under one shepherd.”For God hath concluded them all in unbelief.—A weighty sentence embracing the whole course of human history, and summing up the divine philosophy of the whole matter. We might almost take these profound words of St. Paul as a motto for the... read more
(33) Riches.—The two substantives which follow may be taken as dependent upon “riches.” This is the construction adopted in the Authorised version, and is expressed by the use of the word “both.” Or all three substantives may be independent, O the depth of the riches, and of the wisdom and knowledge of God! In either case, “riches” means “inexhaustible resources,” implying either that the wisdom and knowledge of God are inexhaustible, or that the materials at their command are inexhaustible. By... read more
(33-36) This grand and comprehensive view of the divine purposes makes so deep an impression upon the Apostle that he breaks out into an impassioned ascription of praise, with which the first (doctrinal) portion of the Epistle is brought to a close. read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 11:32
The conclusion of the matter is this. As everyone has been disobedient, Gentiles and Jews alike, so God will show mercy to all as well (cf. Romans 3:9; Galatians 3:22). That is, He will show mercy to all without distinction, not all without exception (cf. Romans 9:17). This is a great ground of assurance."A critical frame of reference in Paul’s treatment of Israel’s salvation is a distinction between corporate and individual election." [Note: Moo, p. 737.] This concludes the argument of... read more