Romans 9:20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Original Language Analysis
Τί
it Why
G5101
Τί
it Why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
5 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
11 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἐρεῖ
Shall
G2046
ἐρεῖ
Shall
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
12 of 20
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Τί
it Why
G5101
Τί
it Why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
17 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Cross References
Isaiah 29:16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?Isaiah 64:8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.Job 33:13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.Job 40:2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.Job 16:3Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?Matthew 20:15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?Job 40:8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?Job 36:23Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?1 Corinthians 1:20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?1 Timothy 6:5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Historical Context
Job 38-41 demonstrates this principle: God doesn't answer Job's questions about suffering; he overwhelms him with questions about creation, establishing divine prerogative. Paul similarly silences objections by asserting Creator rights—the basis of all theology.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is questioning God's justice itself evidence of the fall's corruption of our moral sensibilities?
- How does the Creator/creature distinction answer objections to divine sovereignty?
- What is the difference between humbly asking 'How can this be?' (seeking understanding) vs. 'Why hast thou made me thus?' (accusing God)?
Analysis & Commentary
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?—menoun...antapokrinomenos (μενοῦν...ἀνταποκρινόμενος): 'on the contrary...answering back.' Paul rebukes the objector. O anthrōpe (ὦ ἄνθρωπε) recalls Job 38:1-3 where God confronts Job: 'Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?' The creature has no standing to interrogate the Creator's justice. Isaiah 45:9: 'Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker!'
Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?—to plasma tō plasanti (τὸ πλάσμα τῷ πλάσαντι). The potter/clay imagery from Isaiah 29:16, 45:9, Jeremiah 18:1-6 establishes Creator's absolute rights over creation. The creature's proper posture is submission, not accusation. God's sovereignty isn't subject to human moral judgment; rather, he defines what is just. Our revolt against his decrees merely proves our moral corruption.