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Romans 11:33 - A Hymn of Praise

O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
This phrase emphasizes the vastness and immeasurability of God's wisdom and knowledge. In biblical context, wisdom and knowledge are often attributed to God as part of His divine nature (Proverbs 2:6). The "riches" suggest an abundance that is beyond human comprehension, echoing Ephesians 3:8, where Paul speaks of the "unsearchable riches of Christ." The depth signifies an infinite quality, aligning with the idea that God's understanding is beyond human reach (Isaiah 55:8-9). Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of God as omniscient and omnipotent, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament.

How unsearchable are His judgments,
God's judgments refer to His decisions and decrees, which are often beyond human understanding. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). The term "unsearchable" suggests that human beings cannot fully grasp or question God's decisions, as seen in Job 11:7, where it is asked if one can fathom the mysteries of God. This reflects a cultural context where divine wisdom was revered and accepted as ultimate truth, often beyond human reasoning.

and untraceable His ways!
The "ways" of God refer to His methods and plans, which are often mysterious and not easily understood by humans. The term "untraceable" indicates that God's paths and purposes cannot be mapped or predicted by human logic. This is consistent with the biblical narrative that God's plans are sovereign and often hidden until revealed in His timing (Romans 8:28). Theologically, this points to the trust believers are called to have in God's providence, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where believers are encouraged to trust in the Lord with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological insights.

2. The Church in Rome
The recipients of the letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the heart of the Roman Empire.

3. God
The central figure in this verse, whose wisdom, knowledge, judgments, and ways are being extolled by Paul.

Teaching Points

The Incomprehensibility of God
God's wisdom and knowledge are beyond human understanding. This should lead us to humility and reverence in our approach to Him.

Trust in God's Judgments
Even when we do not understand His ways, we can trust that God's judgments are perfect and just.

The Riches of God's Wisdom
God's wisdom is a treasure that we are invited to seek through prayer, study, and obedience.

Encouragement in Mystery
The mysteries of God should not lead to frustration but to awe and worship, knowing that He is infinitely greater than we can imagine.

Living by Faith
In light of God's untraceable ways, we are called to live by faith, trusting in His plan and purpose for our lives.

(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.

(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 means of these infinite resources God is able to bring good even out of evil.

Judgments.--Decisions, such as that by which Israel was excluded and the Gentiles admitted.

Verses 33-35. - 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 (cf. Romans 2:4, πλούτος τῆς χρηστότητος; Ephesians 1:7, τὸν πλοῦτον τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ. Co-ordination of the three substantives is suggested by the καὶ before σοφίας; but St. Paul's prevailing usage may rather commend the dependence of σοφίας and γνώσεως or πλούτου, as in the Authorized Version). How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding (rather, tracing) out! (cf. Psalm 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 cases, 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. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

O,
Ὦ (Ō)
Interjection
Strong's 5599: A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh.

[the] depth
βάθος (bathos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 899: From the same as bathus; profundity, i.e. extent; mystery.

of [the] riches
πλούτου (ploutou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4149: From the base of pletho; wealth, i.e. money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment.

of [the] wisdom
σοφίας (sophias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4678: Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

knowledge
γνώσεως (gnōseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1108: Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.

of God!
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

How
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

unsearchable
ἀνεξεραύνητα (anexeraunēta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 419: That cannot be searched into, inscrutable, unfathomable. Not searched out, i.e. inscrutable.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

judgments,
κρίματα (krimata)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2917: From krino; a decision ('crime').

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

untraceable
ἀνεξιχνίαστοι (anexichniastoi)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 421: That cannot be explored, incomprehensible. Not tracked out, i.e. untraceable.

ways!
ὁδοὶ (hodoi)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.

Links

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Romans 11:33 Catholic BibleNT Letters: Romans 11:33 Oh the depth of the riches both (Rom. Ro)