Meaning, commentary and cross references
Romans 11:36
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
NIV · New International Version
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
WEB · World English Bible
For of him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
What does Romans 11:36 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Romans 11:36
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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Romans 11:33–36
And so he concludes with a short doxology: To whom be glory for ever, Amen. God's universal agency as the first cause, the sovereign ruler, and the last end, ought to be the matter of our adoration. Thus all his works do praise him objectively; but his saints do bless him actively; they hand that praise to him which all the creatures do minister matter for, Psa 145:10. Paul had been discoursing at large of the counsels of God concerning man, sifting the point with a great deal of accuracy; but, after all, he concludes with the acknowledgment of the divine sovereignty, as that into which all these things must be ultimately resolved, and in which alone the mind can safely and sweetly rest.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Romans 11:33–36
36. For from him and through him, etc. A confirmation of the last verse. He shows, that it is very far from being the case, that we can glory in any good thing of our own against God, since we have been created by him from nothing, and now exist through him.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Romans 11:33–36 (WEB)
33Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35“Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?” 36For of him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
Cross references
- Colossians 1:15–17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
- 1 Corinthians 8:6
yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.
- Hebrews 2:10
For it became him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
- 1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Romans 16:27
- Acts 17:28
‘For in him we live, move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
- 1 Chronicles 29:11–12
Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
- Acts 17:25–26
He isn’t served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath and all things.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q11. What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby for His own glory, He has fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass.
- Q112. What do we pray for in the first petition?
In the first petition, which is “Hallowed be thy name,” we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that whereby He makes Himself known, and that He would dispose all things to His own glory.