Romans 11:35 (KJV)

What does Romans 11:35 mean?

Romans 11:35 asks, “Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?” This means no one has ever given anything to God first, putting God in their debt; God owes nothing to anyone, because everything already belongs to Him.

The apostle Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining that God’s wisdom and ways are beyond human understanding. In this verse, Paul is quoting a rhetorical question from the Old Testament to remind his readers that God is never obligated to anyone—He is the ultimate giver, not a receiver who must repay. The point is to humble human pride and highlight God’s complete independence and generosity.

The Greek behind Romans 11:35

• δώσει (transliterated: dosei, from the tag “given”): This Greek word means “to give.” Here, it emphasizes the idea of someone giving something to God first, which Paul says has never happened.
• ἀνταποδοθήσεται (transliterated: antapodothēsetai, from the tag “recompensed” and “again”): This word means “to be repaid” or “to be given back in return.” Paul uses it to stress that God does not owe anyone repayment, because no one has ever put Him in their debt.

Why Romans 11:35 matters

• Romans 11:35 clears up the misunderstanding that humans can put God in their debt by their actions, gifts, or efforts; it shows that God is always the initiator and giver.
• This verse emphasizes God’s absolute independence and generosity, reminding readers that everything comes from Him and nothing can be claimed as a human achievement before God.
• Romans 11:35 connects to the wider passage by underlining the theme of God’s mercy and sovereignty, leading into Paul’s doxology in the next verse, where he praises God’s greatness and wisdom.