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Romans 9:20

HumilityPrideCreation

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

19 One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?”

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”

21 Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction?

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
KJV
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?
WEB
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”
ASV
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
DARBY
Aye, but thou, O man, who art *thou* that answerest again to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that has formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
BLB
But rather, O man, who are you answering against God? [Will] the thing formed say to the One having formed [it], “Why did you make me thus?”
ÅB
Men hvem er du, menneske, som tar til motmæle mot Gud? Vil verket si til skaperen: «Hvorfor gjorde du meg slik?»
OTB
Men hvem er du, et menneske, til å svare Gud imot? Skal det som er formet si til den som formet det, «Hvorfor gjorde du meg slik?»
B1930
Men hvem er da du, menneske, som tar til gjenmæle mot Gud? Vil da verket si til virkeren: Hvorfor gjorde du mig slik?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 29:16

    You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 45:9–11

    Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker— one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 64:8

    But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

    Read in context

  • Job 33:13

    Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

    Read in context

  • Job 36:23

    Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’?

    Read in context

  • Job 40:2

    “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 20:15

    Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

    Read in context

  • Job 16:3

    Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying?

    Read in context