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Romans 11:36
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- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For of him, etc. - This is so far from being the case, for εξ αυτου, of him, as the original designer and author; and δι' αυτου, By him, as the prime and efficient cause; and εις αυτον, To him, as the ultimate end for the manifestation of his eternal glory and goodness, are all things in universal nature, through the whole compass of time and eternity. The Emperor Marcus Antoninus (εις ἑαυτον, lib. iv.) has a saying very much like this of St. Paul, which it is very probable he borrowed from this epistle to the Romans. Speaking of nature, whom he addresses as God, he says, Ω φυσις εκ σου παντα, εν σοι παντα, εις σε παντα; O, Nature! Of thee are all things; In thee are all things; To thee are all things. Several of the Gentile philosophers had expressions of the same import, as may be seen in Wetstein's quotations. To whom be glory - And let him have the praise of all his works, from the hearts and mouths of all his intelligent creatures, for ever - throughout all the generations of men. Amen - so be it! Let this be established for ever! I. The apostle considers the designs of God inscrutable, and his mode of governing the world incomprehensible. His designs, schemes, and ends are all infinite, and consequently unfathomable. It is impossible to account for the dispensations either of his justice or mercy. He does things under both these characters which far surpass the comprehension of men. But though his dispensations are a great deep, yet they are never self-contradictory: though they far surpass our reason, yet they never contradict reason; nor are they ever opposite to those ideas which God has implanted in man, of goodness, justice, mercy, and truth. But it is worthy of remark, that we can more easily account for the dispensations of his justice than we can for the dispensations of his mercy. We can every where see ten thousand reasons why he should display his justice; but scarcely can we find one reason why he should display his mercy. And yet, these displays of mercy for which we can scarcely find a reason, are infinitely greater and more numerous than his displays of justice, for which the reasons are, in a vast variety of cases, as obvious as they are multiplied. The sacrifice of Christ is certainly an infinite reason why God should extend, as he does, his mercy to all men; but Jesus Christ is the gift of God's love: who can account for the love that gave him to redeem a fallen world? The Jews have fallen under the displeasure of Divine justice: why they should be objects of this displeasure is at once seen in their ingratitude, disobedience, unbelief, and rebellion. But a most especial providence has watched over them, and preserved them in all their dispersions for 1700 years: who can account for this? Again, these very persons have a most positive promise of a future deliverance, both great and glorious: why should this be? The Gentile world was long left without a Divine revelation, while the Jews enjoyed one: who can account for this? The Jews are now cast out of favor, in a certain sense, and the reasons of it are sufficiently obvious; and the Gentiles, without any apparent reason, are taken into favor. In all these things his judgments are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out! II. Once more: Let it be remarked that, although God is every where promising and bestowing the greatest and most ennobling privileges, together with an eternal and ineffable glory, for which we can give no reason but his own endless goodness, through the death of his Son; yet, in no case does he remove those privileges, nor exclude from this glory, but where the reasons are most obvious to the meanest capacity. III. This epistle has been thought by some to afford proofs that God, by an eternal decree, had predestinated to eternal perdition millions of millions of human souls before they had any existence, except in his own purpose, and for no other reason but his sovereign pleasure! But such a decree can be no more found in this book, than such a disposition in the mind of Him who is the perfection, as he is the model, of wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth. May God save the reader from profaning his name, by suppositions at once so monstrous and absurd!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom--"to Him" be glory for ever. Amen--Thus worthily--with a brevity only equalled by its sublimity--does the apostle here sum up this whole matter. "OF Him are all things," as their eternal Source: "THROUGH HIM are all things," inasmuch as He brings all to pass which in His eternal counsels He purposed: "To Him are all things," as being His own last End; the manifestation of the glory of His own perfections being the ultimate, because the highest possible, design of all His procedure from first to last. On this rich chapter, Note, (1) It is an unspeakable consolation to know that in times of deepest religious declension and most extensive defection from the truth, the lamp of God has never been permitted to go out, and that a faithful remnant has ever existed--a remnant larger than their own drooping spirits could easily believe (Rom 11:1-5). (2) The preservation of this remnant, even as their separation at the first, is all of mere grace (Rom 11:5-6). (3) When individuals and communities, after many fruitless warnings, are abandoned of God, they go from bad to worse (Rom 11:7-10). (4) God has so ordered His dealings with the great divisions of mankind, "that no flesh should glory in His presence." Gentile and Jew have each in turn been "shut up to unbelief," that each in turn may experience the "mercy" which saves the chief of sinners (Rom. 11:11-32). (5) As we are "justified by faith," so are we "kept by the power of God through faith"--faith alone--unto salvation (Rom 11:20-32). (6) God's covenant with Abraham and his natural seed is a perpetual covenant, in equal force under the Gospel as before it. Therefore it is, that the Jews as a nation still survive, in spite of all the laws which, in similar circumstances, have either extinguished or destroyed the identity of other nations. And therefore it is that the Jews as a nation will yet be restored to the family of God, through the subjection of their proud hearts to Him whom they have pierced. And as believing Gentiles will be honored to be the instruments of this stupendous change, so shall the vast Gentile world reap such benefit from it, that it shall be like the communication of life to them from the dead. (7) Thus has the Christian Church the highest motive to the establishment and vigorous prosecution of missions to the Jews; God having not only promised that there shall be a remnant of them gathered in every age, but pledged Himself to the final ingathering of the whole nation assigned the honor of that ingathering to the Gentile Church, and assured them that the event, when it does arrive, shall have a life-giving effect upon the whole world (Rom 11:12-16, Rom 11:26-31). (8) Those who think that in all the evangelical prophecies of the Old Testament the terms "Jacob," "Israel," &c., are to be understood solely of the Christian Church, would appear to read the Old Testament differently from the apostle, who, from the use of those very terms in Old Testament prophecy, draws arguments to prove that God has mercy in store for the natural Israel (Rom 11:26-27). (9) Mere intellectual investigations into divine truth in general, and the sense of the living oracles in particular, as they have a hardening effect, so they are a great contrast to the spirit of our apostle, whose lengthened sketch of God's majestic procedure towards men in Christ Jesus ends here in a burst of admiration, which loses itself in the still loftier frame of adoration (Rom 11:33-36). Next: Romans Chapter 12
John Gill Bible Commentary
For of him, and through him, and to him are all things,.... Not only all things in nature and providence, he being the Maker and efficient cause of things, and the preserver and supporter of them their beings, and to whose glory they are all designed and directed; but all things in grace owe their original to him, as their first cause; they are produced by him, and make for his glory; they all spring from his sovereign will, are brought about by his almighty power, and tend to the glory of his grace; as does every thing in election, redemption, and regeneration: particularly the counsels and purposes of God respecting men may be here meant; which all rise out of his own heart, without any motive or inducement to them in the creature; are accomplished by his divine power, notwithstanding all the opposition of men and devils; and all issue in his glory, even such of them as may seem to carry in them severity to some of his creatures: and since this is the case, the following doxology, or ascription of glory to God, is justly and pertinently made, to whom be glory for ever; and which will be given to him by angels and men to all eternity, for the perfection of his being, the counsels of his will, and the works of his hands, both of nature and grace; to which the, apostle annexes his amen, so be it, assenting to it, wishing for it, and believing of it. Next: Romans Chapter 12
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:36 everything comes from him and exists by his power: This statement is similar to statements found among Greek Stoic philosophers in their descriptions of God. Paul regularly draws on literature from the Greco-Roman world to present and clarify the truth about God and his purposes (cp. Acts 17:24-29).
Romans 11:36
A Hymn of Praise
35“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Christ: Perfect Manhood
By Major Ian Thomas6.7K35:42Christ ManhoodJHN 1:1ROM 11:361TH 5:23HEB 1:1In this sermon, the speaker explores the nature of man and how God created him. The purpose of man's creation is to be inhabited by God and used for His purposes. The speaker emphasizes the tripartite nature of man, consisting of spirit, soul, and body. The spirit is the part of man that enables him to be connected to God, while the soul encompasses the mind, emotions, and will. The body is the physical aspect of man that distinguishes him from other forms of created life. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding and aligning these three parts of man in order to fulfill God's intended purpose.
Everything Is for the Glory of God
By Jim Cymbala3.8K37:51GEN 1:1PSA 115:1JHN 14:13JHN 15:5ROM 11:361CO 10:31PHP 4:131TH 5:16JAS 4:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing that everything is for God's glory and everything comes from God. It delves into the need for complete reliance on God for transformation and provision, highlighting the power of prayer in Jesus' name and the significance of humbly acknowledging our dependence on God for all aspects of life.
The Apostolic Church
By Art Katz3.7K1:46:34ROM 11:361CO 2:111CO 12:7EPH 5:181TH 5:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring the true manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the church, contrasting it with the misuse of charismatic gifts. It delves into the need for authenticity in prayer and worship, highlighting the significance of a tested vessel with godly character to deliver a true word from God in crisis moments. The speaker also stresses the church's role in coveting the Holy Spirit and His gifts, with a burning jealousy for the glory of God forever as the centerpiece of the church's identity.
Faith in Perfection
By C.H. Spurgeon3.6K51:35NUM 6:24PSA 136:1PSA 138:8MAT 6:33ROM 11:36The sermon transcript discusses the importance of the cross as the watchword for believers. It emphasizes that the strength in battle and the boast in victory come from the cross. The sermon also highlights the theme of mercy, both in the present life and in eternity. It warns against relying on human nature or morality alone for salvation, emphasizing the need for the breath of God's spirit to ignite a fire that spreads across the earth. The sermon concludes with a blessing and a reminder to not forsake the works of God's hands.
The Abrahamic Faith (2 of 2)
By Art Katz2.7K45:31Abrahamic FaithGEN 28:16EXO 20:20JOB 13:15ZEC 12:10ROM 11:361CO 10:31JUD 1:3In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and maintaining the covenant with God. They highlight how divorce within the church reflects a loss of the sense of covenant. The speaker also discusses the need to fight for the true meaning of faith in a world that diminishes its significance. They emphasize the fear of God and the awe and respect that should accompany our relationship with Him. The sermon concludes with a reminder to nurture and cultivate a sense of God's dread and otherness.
Ten Shekels and a Shirt (Full Sermon)
By Paris Reidhead2.3K50:58MAT 16:24ROM 11:361CO 6:191CO 10:312CO 5:15GAL 2:20PHP 1:20COL 3:171PE 4:11REV 4:11This sermon emphasizes the contrast between serving God for personal gain, like a Levite serving for 10 shekels and a shirt, and serving God for His glory. It challenges listeners to repent and surrender to God not for personal benefits but because He is worthy of love, obedience, and service. The story of the two young Moravians who sold themselves into slavery to reach slaves with the Gospel illustrates the selfless dedication to bring glory to God.
Christians Under Law
By Major Ian Thomas1.7K35:42LawJHN 1:1ROM 11:361TH 5:23HEB 1:1In this sermon, the speaker explores the nature of man and how God created him. The purpose of man's creation is to be inhabited by God and used for His purposes. The speaker emphasizes the tripartite nature of man, consisting of spirit, soul, and body. He explains that the mind and emotions play a significant role in influencing the will of man. Additionally, the speaker highlights that all forms of created life have a body, which helps us recognize and distinguish different beings. The sermon references the Bible verse from the fifth chapter of the Epistles of the Testilons, where it mentions the sanctification of the whole spirit, soul, and body.
K-086 the Mystery of Israel and the Church
By Art Katz1.7K1:05:39IsraelGEN 32:28ROM 11:11ROM 11:25ROM 11:32ROM 11:36EPH 3:9PHP 1:21In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of communicating and fulfilling the mystery of God. He challenges the audience to evaluate their measures of success in Christendom, such as programs, numbers, and budgets, and instead focus on being a people who are utterly yielded to God. The speaker highlights the need to break free from self-centeredness, even in religious or spiritual matters, and to prepare for the coming historic moment of eternal magnitude. He encourages the audience to be a formidable presence for God, extending mercy and wrestling in prayer. The sermon concludes with a prayer for understanding and a recognition of the profound nature of the message being conveyed.
Our Awesome God - Part 4
By Chuck Smith1.3K09:171CH 29:9ROM 11:36EPH 1:11COL 1:12REV 4:8This sermon emphasizes the act of worshiping God with a perfect heart, just as David and the people willingly offered their resources for the building of the temple. It reflects on how all things belong to God, and we are called to offer back to Him what is already His. The message highlights the greatness, power, and preeminence of God, acknowledging that all things are created by Him, through Him, and for Him.
Boasting of Christ
By Major Ian Thomas1.3K42:57Boasting in ChristWitnessingChristJHN 1:6ROM 11:36Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the importance of boasting about Jesus Christ, highlighting that our role as witnesses is to reflect His light rather than draw attention to ourselves. He illustrates this through the example of John the Baptist, who pointed others to Christ, and encourages believers to share their faith simply and authentically. Thomas shares personal anecdotes of how ordinary people can impact lives by being a voice for Christ, regardless of their background or abilities. He reminds us that the Holy Spirit works through our testimonies to bring transformation, urging us to remain available and obedient to God's calling. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life dedicated to glorifying Jesus and sharing the good news of His salvation.
Audio Sermon: Ten Shekels and a Shirt
By Paris Reidhead1.2K51:16ROM 11:361CO 10:31GAL 2:20PHP 1:21COL 3:231PE 4:11This sermon delves into the story of Micah and the Levite from Judges Chapter 17, highlighting the danger of serving God for personal gain or utility rather than for His glory. It emphasizes the need for repentance not for personal benefit but because God deserves our worship and obedience. The speaker contrasts utilitarian Christianity with true devotion to God, urging listeners to surrender fully to Christ for His glory alone.
How to Handle Adversity
By Manley Beasley1.2K33:57AdversityROM 11:36COL 1:13In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of understanding and handling adversity in the Christian life. He emphasizes that all adversity is permitted by God and has a purpose in our lives. The preacher refers to the story of Joseph from the Bible as an example of how God used adversity to bless and shape Joseph's life. He also highlights that God often speaks to us through our family, finances, and health, and that when we experience adversity in these areas, it is a sign that we need to pay attention to our spiritual condition.
Of Him and Through Him and for Him
By Roy Hession1.1K47:48Jesus ChristMAT 6:33ROM 11:36COL 1:16In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the wisdom and knowledge of God and praises His unsearchable judgments and ways. The focus then shifts to the believer's relationship with Jesus, which is compared to branches connected to a vine. The speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance and righteousness, using the example of Nebuchadnezzar's pride and downfall. The sermon concludes with the reminder that all things are from, through, and for God, and that our testimonies should highlight the work of grace in our lives rather than our own accomplishments.
Ten Shekels and a Shirt (Audio)
By Paris Reidhead92651:01MAT 16:24JHN 12:24ROM 11:361CO 6:191CO 10:31GAL 2:20PHP 1:21COL 3:231PE 4:11This sermon delves into the story of Micah and the Levite, highlighting the dangers of serving God for personal gain or benefits, rather than for His glory. It emphasizes the need for repentance and surrender to God, not for the sake of personal happiness or success, but because God deserves our worship and obedience. The speaker challenges listeners to abandon utilitarian Christianity and instead focus on glorifying God in all aspects of life.
Gravity and Gladness on Sunday Morning - Lesson 2
By John Piper82746:48PSA 117:1MAT 6:33JHN 4:23ROM 11:36COL 3:161PE 2:9REV 4:11In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pursuing joy in God as our highest duty. He believes that the problem lies in people filling themselves with trivial and worldly things, such as television and advertisements, which diminishes their hunger for God. The speaker encourages the audience to feed their souls with meaningful and enriching content, like reading the Bible or watching great movies, in order to cultivate a hunger for God's word. He also mentions the need for practical preparations, both on Saturday night and Sunday morning, to create an environment conducive to hearing the Word of God.
(Sermon Clip) Being Free of Pride by Looking to Jesus
By Zac Poonen78803:04DAN 4:28ROM 11:36PHP 2:3HEB 12:2JAS 4:6This sermon discusses the dangers of pride and the tendency to build 'Babylon' in our lives, churches, and ministries by seeking glory for ourselves rather than giving glory to God. It emphasizes the importance of humility, avoiding comparisons with others, and focusing on Jesus as the ultimate example of humility and grace.
(Radical Jesus) 10 Radical Truth
By Glenn Meldrum71623:59RadicalMAT 6:33MAT 28:19LUK 19:10JHN 15:20ACT 1:8ROM 11:362CO 10:4In this sermon, the preacher discusses the revolutionary nature of the truth found in the teachings of Jesus. He uses a football game as an analogy to explain the different approaches of offense and defense in winning a game. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus did not come to simply offer a motivational message or temporary solutions, but to revolutionize the world with the radical truths of the kingdom of heaven. He highlights the aggressive nature of the gospel, both through the working of the Holy Spirit in convicting people of sin and through the true church spreading the message. The preacher also references the Apostle Paul's teachings in Romans to support the idea that God has given all of humanity a conscience and a testimony of His existence.
The Mystery of Christ
By Stephen Kaung6911:12:31GEN 1:2MAT 10:37MAT 16:23MRK 12:30LUK 22:42ROM 11:36EPH 3:3PHP 2:5COL 1:27This sermon delves into the mystery of God and the church, emphasizing God's revealed plan for His beloved Son to head up all things. It explores the story of redemption from the restoration of the earth in Genesis to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, highlighting the importance of surrendering all aspects of our lives to Christ. The sermon emphasizes the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit in guiding believers to bring every thought, emotion, and action to the feet of Jesus, aligning with God's eternal purpose for each individual.
The Scarlet Thread of Redemption
By Major Ian Thomas1040:18Dependence on ChristRedemptionLEV 17:11JHN 1:4ROM 5:10ROM 11:361CO 5:72CO 5:14GAL 2:20PHP 1:11COL 1:27HEB 9:22Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the concept of redemption through the metaphor of a lamp, illustrating that while we are created with a body and soul, we cannot produce righteousness on our own. He explains that true functionality comes from receiving the life of Christ within us, which enables us to shine with His light. Thomas highlights the importance of both the death and life of Christ, stating that while His death reconciles us, it is His life that saves us and empowers us to live righteously. He warns against the danger of being a 'carnal Christian,' relying on our own efforts rather than allowing Christ to live through us. Ultimately, the sermon underscores the necessity of repentance and dependence on Christ for true sanctification and functionality in our Christian walk.
All Things Should Be Referred to God as Their Last End
By Thomas a Kempis0God as Our Ultimate PurposeThe Source of All GoodPSA 37:4PSA 100:4PRO 3:6MAT 6:33ROM 11:361CO 10:31PHP 4:19COL 3:17JAS 1:171PE 4:11Thomas a Kempis emphasizes that God must be the ultimate purpose of our lives to attain true blessing. He warns against the dangers of self-seeking and encourages believers to refer all things back to God, the source of all goodness. Acknowledging God as the giver of all gifts leads to a heart filled with grace, while seeking glory apart from Him results in distress. True joy and virtue come from recognizing that all good is from God, and we must return thanks to Him. Ultimately, divine love is the key to overcoming self-love and envy, leading to a life of true wisdom and joy in God alone.
(Living as Jesus Lived) 7. Living by the Power of God
By Zac Poonen0Dependence On GodPower of the Holy SpiritGEN 2:19LUK 4:1LUK 5:16JHN 15:5ROM 11:361CO 2:12CO 12:10EPH 5:18HEB 4:15REV 19:8Zac Poonen emphasizes the necessity of living by the power of God rather than relying on human soul-power, which can lead to deception and superficiality in Christian life and ministry. He illustrates how Jesus exemplified complete dependence on the Father through prayer and the Holy Spirit, rejecting the allure of human abilities and charisma. Poonen warns against the counterfeit practices in Christendom that mimic genuine spiritual gifts but ultimately serve to elevate human personalities instead of glorifying God. He encourages believers to recognize their weakness and seek the true power of God for effective ministry, highlighting that only what is done through God's power will endure. The sermon challenges listeners to evaluate whether they are truly living and laboring by the power of God.
God Is All
By Andrew Murray0God's SovereigntyDivine PresencePSA 19:1PSA 104:24ISA 40:28JER 10:10JHN 1:3ACT 17:28ROM 11:36COL 1:16HEB 1:3REV 4:11Andrew Murray emphasizes that God is the source of all life and existence, asserting that everything in the universe reflects His glory and power. He explains that the heavens and the earth are merely garments of God, who is the everlasting and unchanging 'I am that I am.' Murray encourages believers to recognize that all creation is dependent on God, and that true perception of the world reveals God's omnipresence. He calls for a shift from worldly blindness to a joyful acknowledgment that God is all in all.
God Claims All
By Andrew Murray0Surrender to GodGlorifying GodPSA 37:4PSA 86:9ISA 43:7ROM 11:361CO 10:31EPH 2:10PHP 2:13COL 3:171PE 4:11REV 4:11Andrew Murray emphasizes that all things originate from God and ultimately return to Him, underscoring that the chief purpose of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. He explains that glorifying God involves making known His glory and yielding ourselves as instruments for His will. By recognizing that everything is from and through God, our surrender becomes more natural, leading us to fulfill our purpose of glorifying Him. Murray encourages believers to minister with the strength God provides, ensuring that all glory is directed to Him through Jesus Christ.
All Things Are of Him
By Andrew Murray0Living for God's GloryGod's SovereigntyPSA 19:1ISA 43:7ACT 17:28ROM 11:361CO 10:31EPH 1:11PHP 2:10COL 1:161PE 4:11REV 4:11Andrew Murray emphasizes that all things originate from God, exist through His power, and are ultimately directed towards Him. He highlights that recognizing and living in accordance with this truth brings glory to God, which is the purpose of human existence. By acknowledging God's sovereignty and purpose, believers can find true blessedness and fulfillment in their lives. This understanding is essential for living a life that honors God and reflects His glory.
"For of Him, and Through Him, and to Him Are All Things…" Rom. 11:36
By Andrew Murray0RevivalSeeking GodROM 11:36JAS 4:2Andrew Murray emphasizes that true revival is initiated by God and is meant to lead believers closer to Him, enhancing His presence and power within the church. He stresses that the desire to know, honor, serve, and glorify God should be the foundation of our prayers for revival. To prepare for revival, believers must first understand the rightful place of God in the church and in their lives. This understanding will guide their expectations and requests during the revival process.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For of him, etc. - This is so far from being the case, for εξ αυτου, of him, as the original designer and author; and δι' αυτου, By him, as the prime and efficient cause; and εις αυτον, To him, as the ultimate end for the manifestation of his eternal glory and goodness, are all things in universal nature, through the whole compass of time and eternity. The Emperor Marcus Antoninus (εις ἑαυτον, lib. iv.) has a saying very much like this of St. Paul, which it is very probable he borrowed from this epistle to the Romans. Speaking of nature, whom he addresses as God, he says, Ω φυσις εκ σου παντα, εν σοι παντα, εις σε παντα; O, Nature! Of thee are all things; In thee are all things; To thee are all things. Several of the Gentile philosophers had expressions of the same import, as may be seen in Wetstein's quotations. To whom be glory - And let him have the praise of all his works, from the hearts and mouths of all his intelligent creatures, for ever - throughout all the generations of men. Amen - so be it! Let this be established for ever! I. The apostle considers the designs of God inscrutable, and his mode of governing the world incomprehensible. His designs, schemes, and ends are all infinite, and consequently unfathomable. It is impossible to account for the dispensations either of his justice or mercy. He does things under both these characters which far surpass the comprehension of men. But though his dispensations are a great deep, yet they are never self-contradictory: though they far surpass our reason, yet they never contradict reason; nor are they ever opposite to those ideas which God has implanted in man, of goodness, justice, mercy, and truth. But it is worthy of remark, that we can more easily account for the dispensations of his justice than we can for the dispensations of his mercy. We can every where see ten thousand reasons why he should display his justice; but scarcely can we find one reason why he should display his mercy. And yet, these displays of mercy for which we can scarcely find a reason, are infinitely greater and more numerous than his displays of justice, for which the reasons are, in a vast variety of cases, as obvious as they are multiplied. The sacrifice of Christ is certainly an infinite reason why God should extend, as he does, his mercy to all men; but Jesus Christ is the gift of God's love: who can account for the love that gave him to redeem a fallen world? The Jews have fallen under the displeasure of Divine justice: why they should be objects of this displeasure is at once seen in their ingratitude, disobedience, unbelief, and rebellion. But a most especial providence has watched over them, and preserved them in all their dispersions for 1700 years: who can account for this? Again, these very persons have a most positive promise of a future deliverance, both great and glorious: why should this be? The Gentile world was long left without a Divine revelation, while the Jews enjoyed one: who can account for this? The Jews are now cast out of favor, in a certain sense, and the reasons of it are sufficiently obvious; and the Gentiles, without any apparent reason, are taken into favor. In all these things his judgments are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out! II. Once more: Let it be remarked that, although God is every where promising and bestowing the greatest and most ennobling privileges, together with an eternal and ineffable glory, for which we can give no reason but his own endless goodness, through the death of his Son; yet, in no case does he remove those privileges, nor exclude from this glory, but where the reasons are most obvious to the meanest capacity. III. This epistle has been thought by some to afford proofs that God, by an eternal decree, had predestinated to eternal perdition millions of millions of human souls before they had any existence, except in his own purpose, and for no other reason but his sovereign pleasure! But such a decree can be no more found in this book, than such a disposition in the mind of Him who is the perfection, as he is the model, of wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth. May God save the reader from profaning his name, by suppositions at once so monstrous and absurd!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom--"to Him" be glory for ever. Amen--Thus worthily--with a brevity only equalled by its sublimity--does the apostle here sum up this whole matter. "OF Him are all things," as their eternal Source: "THROUGH HIM are all things," inasmuch as He brings all to pass which in His eternal counsels He purposed: "To Him are all things," as being His own last End; the manifestation of the glory of His own perfections being the ultimate, because the highest possible, design of all His procedure from first to last. On this rich chapter, Note, (1) It is an unspeakable consolation to know that in times of deepest religious declension and most extensive defection from the truth, the lamp of God has never been permitted to go out, and that a faithful remnant has ever existed--a remnant larger than their own drooping spirits could easily believe (Rom 11:1-5). (2) The preservation of this remnant, even as their separation at the first, is all of mere grace (Rom 11:5-6). (3) When individuals and communities, after many fruitless warnings, are abandoned of God, they go from bad to worse (Rom 11:7-10). (4) God has so ordered His dealings with the great divisions of mankind, "that no flesh should glory in His presence." Gentile and Jew have each in turn been "shut up to unbelief," that each in turn may experience the "mercy" which saves the chief of sinners (Rom. 11:11-32). (5) As we are "justified by faith," so are we "kept by the power of God through faith"--faith alone--unto salvation (Rom 11:20-32). (6) God's covenant with Abraham and his natural seed is a perpetual covenant, in equal force under the Gospel as before it. Therefore it is, that the Jews as a nation still survive, in spite of all the laws which, in similar circumstances, have either extinguished or destroyed the identity of other nations. And therefore it is that the Jews as a nation will yet be restored to the family of God, through the subjection of their proud hearts to Him whom they have pierced. And as believing Gentiles will be honored to be the instruments of this stupendous change, so shall the vast Gentile world reap such benefit from it, that it shall be like the communication of life to them from the dead. (7) Thus has the Christian Church the highest motive to the establishment and vigorous prosecution of missions to the Jews; God having not only promised that there shall be a remnant of them gathered in every age, but pledged Himself to the final ingathering of the whole nation assigned the honor of that ingathering to the Gentile Church, and assured them that the event, when it does arrive, shall have a life-giving effect upon the whole world (Rom 11:12-16, Rom 11:26-31). (8) Those who think that in all the evangelical prophecies of the Old Testament the terms "Jacob," "Israel," &c., are to be understood solely of the Christian Church, would appear to read the Old Testament differently from the apostle, who, from the use of those very terms in Old Testament prophecy, draws arguments to prove that God has mercy in store for the natural Israel (Rom 11:26-27). (9) Mere intellectual investigations into divine truth in general, and the sense of the living oracles in particular, as they have a hardening effect, so they are a great contrast to the spirit of our apostle, whose lengthened sketch of God's majestic procedure towards men in Christ Jesus ends here in a burst of admiration, which loses itself in the still loftier frame of adoration (Rom 11:33-36). Next: Romans Chapter 12
John Gill Bible Commentary
For of him, and through him, and to him are all things,.... Not only all things in nature and providence, he being the Maker and efficient cause of things, and the preserver and supporter of them their beings, and to whose glory they are all designed and directed; but all things in grace owe their original to him, as their first cause; they are produced by him, and make for his glory; they all spring from his sovereign will, are brought about by his almighty power, and tend to the glory of his grace; as does every thing in election, redemption, and regeneration: particularly the counsels and purposes of God respecting men may be here meant; which all rise out of his own heart, without any motive or inducement to them in the creature; are accomplished by his divine power, notwithstanding all the opposition of men and devils; and all issue in his glory, even such of them as may seem to carry in them severity to some of his creatures: and since this is the case, the following doxology, or ascription of glory to God, is justly and pertinently made, to whom be glory for ever; and which will be given to him by angels and men to all eternity, for the perfection of his being, the counsels of his will, and the works of his hands, both of nature and grace; to which the, apostle annexes his amen, so be it, assenting to it, wishing for it, and believing of it. Next: Romans Chapter 12
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:36 everything comes from him and exists by his power: This statement is similar to statements found among Greek Stoic philosophers in their descriptions of God. Paul regularly draws on literature from the Greco-Roman world to present and clarify the truth about God and his purposes (cp. Acts 17:24-29).