Romans 11:35 Meaning and Explanation
“Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul asks who has ever given God anything first, so as to put Him in their debt, the implied answer being no one.
What Does Romans 11:35 Mean?
Paul adds a third question in the same spirit. Has anyone ever given to God first, placing Him under obligation to repay? The expected answer is that no one ever has, for all things already belong to God.
No one can make God a debtor. Everything we have was first His gift, so we cannot put Him in our debt. This closes off any thought that God's mercy could be earned or owed. Grace remains grace precisely because God owes us nothing, and gives everything freely out of His own fullness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 11:35
What does Romans 11:35 mean?
Paul asks who has ever given God anything first, so as to put Him in their debt, the implied answer being no one.