Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

As he concludes his setting forth of God’s great plan in the history of salvation (chs.

1–11), Paul breaks forth into praise.

God’s wisdom and ways are far beyond the understanding of human beings, and hence he deserves all the glory.

Having drawn together the various strands of his argument, Paul now responds in lyrical fashion with a song of praise that reaches heights that correspond to the depth of concern he had sounded in 9:2, 3. God’s dealings with Jew and Gentile display a cross-section of His majesty in which His sovereign will (“from him”), His sovereign activity (“through him”) and His sovereign glory (“to him”) are richly displayed (v.

36).

A. The Dimensions of God are incomprehensible (vs.

33)

Depth (bathos - noun, subject) - something unfathomable, not able to be comprehended.

This bathos possesses all the following:

riches (ploutos - noun, possessive) - God owns all

wisdom (sophia - noun, possessive) - God is skill in all

knowledge (gnosos - noun, possessive) - God knows all

How - conjunction of comparison.

It’s like saying, “from the bathos emerges the following:”

Unsearchable (anexeraunetos [adjective] (1x in NT) - marked by being impossible to find or discover the depths or the end of; not able to be examined) are his judgments (krima [noun] - judgment, condemnation, rulings)

Inscrutable (anexichniastos [adjective] (2x in NT) - marked by being impossible to plot, travel, or trace to the end of; untraceable) his ways (hodos [noun] - a course of conduct)

B. The knowledge of God is comprehensive and absolute (vs.

34)

For (explanatory conjunction) - “let me explain what this all means...”

Who (interrogative pronoun) - is there a person on earth who:

has known (ginosko [verb - aor, act, ind] - to know experientially at any snap shot in time ) the mind (nous [noun] - disposition, manner of thought) of the Lord - because of the depth of God’s knowledge

has been (ginomai [verb - aor, act, ind] - to become) his counselor (symboulos [noun] - to give advice or advise) - because of the depth of God’s wisdom (skill)

Therefore, since we cannot fathom the mind of God, we therefore cannot begin to offer Him advice!

C. The Benevolence of God is immeasurable (vs.

35)

Again, Who (interrogative pronoun) - is there a person on earth who:

has given (prodidomi [verb - aor, act, ind] - give in advance, ie., to become a supply chain ) to him that he might be repaid?

- because of God’s riches, he is no man’s debtor.

D. The Resource of God is eternal (vs.

36)

For (causal conjunction) - "why is this all true?…what is the purpose behind all of this?”

from (preposition of source) him - God is the source (originator)

through (preposition of means) him - God is the course or process (sustainer)

to (preposition of direction) him - God is focus of direction (purpose)

are all (pas - every individual part) things - everything that exists

To him be glory forever.

Amen.

- the ultimate purpose of all things.