Isaiah 57:16 Meaning and Explanation
“For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will not endlessly contend or remain angry, for human spirits would fail beneath His wrath.
The Context of Isaiah 57:16
God explains His merciful limitation of anger, grounded in care for His creation.
What Does Isaiah 57:16 Mean?
God explains that He will not forever contend with or remain wrathful toward His people. His anger is not eternal, though it may feel endless to those experiencing correction. The reason lies in compassion: the human spirit is fragile, and the souls He has made are His creation. To sustain endless wrath would destroy the very beings He fashioned.
This verse reveals God's restraint and mercy built into His nature. He is wrathful toward sin and rebellion, but His wrath is not His final or ultimate word. His creatures' fragility moves Him to limit His judgment. The souls that bear His image cannot endure infinite condemnation. God's justice is tempered by His creative care for human life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 57:16
What does Isaiah 57:16 mean?
God will not endlessly contend or remain angry, for human spirits would fail beneath His wrath.
What is the context of Isaiah 57:16?
God explains His merciful limitation of anger, grounded in care for His creation.