Romans 11:35
Romans 11:35 in Multiple Translations
“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?”
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Or who has first given to him, and it will be given back to him again?
Who has ever given anything to God that God would be obliged to repay?
Or who hath giuen vnto him first, and he shalbe recompensed?
or who did first give to Him, and it shall be given back to him again?
“Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?”
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again?
Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him?
And, ◄No one has given anything to God that he did not previously receive from God!/Has anyone given anything to God that he did not previously receive from God?► [RHQ] So God ◄is not obligated to/does not have to► pay back anything to anyone!
Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 11:35
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Romans 11:35 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Romans 11:35
Study Notes — Romans 11:35
- Context
- Cross References
- Romans 11:35 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Romans 11:35
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 11:35
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 11:35
- Trapp's Commentary on Romans 11:35
- Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 11:35
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 11:35
- Cambridge Bible on Romans 11:35
- Barnes' Notes on Romans 11:35
- Whedon's Commentary on Romans 11:35
- Sermons on Romans 11:35
Context — 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 41:11 | Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. |
| 2 | Job 35:7 | If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand? |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 4:7 | For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? |
| 4 | Matthew 20:15 | Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ |
Romans 11:35 Summary
[This verse is asking a question that helps us understand how great and powerful God is. It's saying that we can't give God something that would make Him owe us, because everything we have comes from Him in the first place, as it says in Psalms 24:1. This means we can't earn God's favor or make Him pay us back, but we can still offer Him our love, worship, and obedience, and trust that He will take care of us, as promised in Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this verse mean by 'repay him'?
This phrase refers to the idea that God owes us nothing, and any good thing we receive from Him is a gift, not a debt repayment, as seen in Psalms 24:1 and Job 41:11.
Is this verse saying we can't give God anything?
Yes, in the sense that we can't give God something that He needs or that puts Him in our debt, as He is self-sufficient, but we can still offer Him our worship, praise, and obedience, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Romans 12:1.
How does this verse relate to our understanding of God's sovereignty?
This verse highlights God's independence and sovereignty, emphasizing that He doesn't need our counsel or gifts, and that all things come from and belong to Him, as stated in Isaiah 40:13-14 and Romans 11:36.
What is the main point of this rhetorical question?
The main point is to emphasize God's greatness and our dependence on Him, encouraging humility and recognition of His majesty, as seen in Job 38:1-7 and Psalms 139:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I try to 'give to God' or earn His favor, and how can I shift my focus to simply receiving from and worshiping Him?
- How does recognizing God's self-sufficiency and independence affect my prayer life and my expectations of what God owes me?
- In what ways can I offer God my worship, praise, and obedience, even though I can't give Him something that puts Him in my debt?
- How can I balance my desire to serve and give to God with the recognition that He doesn't need my contributions?
Gill's Exposition on Romans 11:35
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 11:35
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 11:35
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 11:35
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 11:35
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 11:35
Cambridge Bible on Romans 11:35
Barnes' Notes on Romans 11:35
Whedon's Commentary on Romans 11:35
Sermons on Romans 11:35
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Of the Sufficiency and Perfection of God. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the sufficiency and perfection of God, explaining that God is self-sufficient and does not require anything from creation to sustain His happiness or existence |
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Of the Goodness of God. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the essential goodness of God, explaining that all divine attributes such as love, grace, and mercy stem from His inherent goodness. He asserts that God's good |
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Ten Indictments Against the Modern Church by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for revival and awakening in the church. He cautions against expecting the Holy Spirit to clean up the mess without taking responsib |
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Humility by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of humility in our daily lives. He uses a picture as an analogy to illustrate how our perception of ourselves can change when |
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(The Foundation and the Building) Five Danger a Christian Worker Faces by Zac Poonen | In this video, Zach Poonen shares his concern about the inaccurate portrayal of Jesus Christ by many Christian workers, pastors, and churches. He emphasizes the importance of accur |
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God Chooses and Uses Nobodies by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being poor in spirit, recognizing that all blessings and abilities come from God. It warns against the dangers of spiritual pride and the n |
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Unity of the Spirit - by the Bond of Peace by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of unity among Christians. He warns against engaging in arguments and disputes over words, as it only leads to division and ha |





