Paragraph 9:19–21
9:19a
One of you will say to me: In the Greek, a word that is usually translated as “then” or “therefore” connects One of you will say to me to what Paul said in 9:14–18. The Berean Standard Bible omits this word. However, many English versions include it. For example:
You will say to me then… (English Standard Version)
In many languages this word must be first in the clause. For example:
Then you will say…
-or-
So, you will say…
Some languages will use a different word to connect “You will say to me” to 9:18 in a natural way. For example:
And you will say…
-or-
Now you will say…
One of you: The word you is singular in the Greek. This letter is addressed to the whole church in Rome. So, here the singular you refers to someone in a general way. It does not accuse the whole church in Rome of asking the following questions of Paul. Some languages must translate differently for the correct meaning. For example:
certainly there will some person who
-or-
maybe someone
will say to me: 9:19b–c are questions. In some languages the word “ask” will be more natural. For example:
ask me (New Jerusalem Bible)
9:19b
Then why does God still find fault?: There is a textual issue here. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then means “then, therefore.” It occurs in some Greek manuscripts after the word translated why. There are two options:
(1) It should be included. For example:
How then can he ever blame anyone…? (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It should be omitted. For example:
Why does he still find fault? (Revised Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, NET Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the Greek NT 5 includes it.
This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the meaning of “God should not find fault (with anyone).” This hypothetical person thinks that God should not find fault with any person. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Then why does God blame us for our sins? (New Century Version)
• As a statement. For example:
He should not blame is for our sins.
All the English versions in Translator’s Workplace and all the commentators consulted translate this as a question.
find fault: This phrase refers to accusing someone of wrongdoing. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
blame (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
accuse people of sin
9:19c
For: This word introduces an explanation for the question in 9:19b, or gives a basis for that question.
who can resist His will?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one can resist God’s will. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
who can oppose his will? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
• As a statement. For example:
no one can oppose his will (New Jerusalem Bible)
who can resist: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as can resist uses the perfect tense in the Greek. Here it indicates an ongoing situation. For example:
who resists his will (New International Version)
It indicates that when God decides something, no one has ever changed what he decides into something else. It implies that no one is able to change his decisions, so some translations use can resist.
resist: This word refers to opposing something. Here it implies successfully gaining victory over it. For example, if God decided someone will die, no one can change that outcome. Here are other ways to translate this word:
oppose (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
fight (New Century Version)
His will: Here the word will refers to making a decision. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
what God wants
-or-
his determined-plan
General Comment on 9:19b–c
The basis (9:19c) occurs after the conclusion (9:19b). In some languages it is more natural to have the conclusion last. For example:
No one can resist his will. Then why does God still find fault?
-or-
No one can resist his will. Then God should not still find fault!
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