Romans 11:33

New Testament

32 For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has first given to God that God needs to repay him? 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.

2 Baruch 14:8

Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch
Pseudepigrapha

6 And lo! they have been carried off, nor on their account hast Thou had mercy on Zion. 7 And if others did evil, it was due to Zion, that on account of the works of those who wrought good works she should be forgiven, and should not be overwhelmed on account of the works of those who wrought unrighteousness. 8 But who, O Lord, my Lord, will comprehend Thy judgement, Or who will search out the profoundness of Thy way? Or who will think out the weight of Thy path? 9 Or who will be able to think out Thy incomprehensible counsel? Or who of those that are born has ever found The beginning or end of Thy wisdom?

 Notes and References

"... The two exclamations that follow develop further God’s incredible wisdom and knowledge. The two are parallel in structure as well as meaning. His judgments are unsearchable or “inscrutable,” and his paths or “ways” are beyond tracing out. The word judgments refers not negatively to final judgment or condemnation (as in 2:2; 5:16) but rather to God’s decisions in general, especially his decision to bring salvation to humankind (thus they certainly include “sternness” as well as “kindness”; see 11:22). His decision to make “some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use” (9:21) is “inscrutable” or “unfathomable, impossible to understand” (see Job 42:3; Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28). Many quote 2 Baruch 14:8-9, “O Lord, my Lord, who can understand your judgment? Or who can explore the depth of your way? Or who can discern the majesty of your path? Or who can discern your incomprehensible counsel? Or who of those who are born has ever discovered the beginning and the end of your incomprehensible counsel?” ..."

Osborne, Grant R. IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Romans (p. 314) Intervarsity Press, 2003

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