Once again Paul introduces scripture to support his affirmation. In verse 34 Paul quotes from Isaiah 40.13 and in verse 35 from Job 41.11. The first of these two quotations is very close to the Septuagint, but the second is apparently nearer the Hebrew. The first quotation emphasizes the fact that God has all knowledge, and the second makes the point that no man can do anything to place God in his debt.

In many languages it is quite difficult to translate Who knows the mind of the Lord? since one cannot readily speak of “knowing another person’s mind.” It is possible, however, to say “to know how another person thinks” or “to know why a person thinks as he does.” Such expressions, therefore, may form the basis for rendering “who knows how the Lord reasons?” or “who knows why the Lord thinks as he does?” This question, as well as the two which follow, may quite naturally be expressed as statements—for example, “no one knows how the Lord thinks; no one is able to give him advice; no one is able to give God anything so as to make God indebted to him.”

The question in verse 35 implies putting God under obligation. The closest parallel in some languages may be expressions relating to gift exchange—for example, “Who is able to give a gift to God, so that God will be obliged to give him something in return?”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .