13 Who can fathom the Spirit[1] of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

Other Translations of Isaiah 40:13

King James Version

13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

English Standard Version

13 Who has measuredOr has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?

The Message

13 Who could ever have told God what to do or taught him his business?

New King James Version

13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him?

New Living Translation

13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord ? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 40:13

Commentary on Isaiah 40:12-17

(Read Isaiah 40:12-17)

All created beings shrink to nothing in comparison with the Creator. When the Lord, by his Spirit, made the world, none directed his Spirit, or gave advice what to do, or how to do it. The nations, in comparison of him, are as a drop which remains in the bucket, compared with the vast ocean; or as the small dust in the balance, which does not turn it, compared with all the earth. This magnifies God's love to the world, that, though it is of such small account and value with him, yet, for the redemption of it, he gave his only-begotten Son, John 3:16. The services of the church can make no addition to him. Our souls must have perished for ever, if the only Son of the Father had not given himself for us.

34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"[2]

Other Translations of Romans 11:34

King James Version

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

English Standard Version

34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"

The Message

34 Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?

New King James Version

34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?"

New Living Translation

34 For who can know the Lord 's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 11:34

Commentary on Romans 11:33-36

(Read Romans 11:33-36)

The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length, Ephesians 3:18, and that passing knowledge. There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Spring and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These include all God's relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and through Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God's glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise.