Romans 11:33-35 - Exposition

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge (or, of the riches and wisdom and knowledge ) of God! By γνώσεως is signified God's omniscience; by σοφίας , his wisdom in ordering events; by πλούτου , if it be taken as a co-ordinate substantive, the abundance of his goodness. How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding (rather, tracing ) out! (cf. Psalms 26:6 ; Job 9:10 ; Job 11:7 ). For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? ( Isaiah 40:13 , quoted accurately from the LXX .). Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? (cf. Job 41:11 , where the Hebrew has (Revised Version), "Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him?" The LXX . ( Job 41:2 ) gives an entirely different sense of the passage; and it would thus appear, as may be seen also in other eases, that St. Paul, though usually quoting more or less freely from the LXX ., was familiar also with the Hebrew text, and exercised judgment in his citations.