Romans 9:20 “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say…”

Romans 9:20

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?”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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?

World English Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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?

Geneva Bible 1599

But, O man, who art thou which pleadest against God? shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Darby Translation

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?

Young's Literal Translation

nay, but, O man, who art thou that art answering again to God? shall the thing formed say to Him who did form [it], Why me didst thou make thus?

Bible in Basic English

But, O man, who are you, to make answer against God? May the thing which is made say to him who made it, Why did you make me so?

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Cross references

“O man”

Romans 2:1 Micah 6:8 James 2:20 1 Corinthians 7:16

Romans 2:1 · BSB

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Micah 6:8 · BSB

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

James 2:20 · BSB

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?

1 Corinthians 7:16 · BSB

How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

“who art”

Job 33:13 Job 36:23 Job 40:2 Matthew 20:15 Job 40:8 Job 42:2–6

Job 33:13 · BSB

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

Job 36:23 · BSB

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

Job 40:2 · BSB

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

Matthew 20:15 · BSB

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

Job 40:8 · BSB

Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

Job 42:2–6 · BSB

“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

“repliest”

Job 16:3 1 Timothy 6:5 1 Corinthians 1:20 Titus 2:9

Job 16:3 · BSB

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

1 Timothy 6:5 · BSB

and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

1 Corinthians 1:20 · BSB

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Titus 2:9 · BSB

Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

“Shall”

Isaiah 29:16 Isaiah 45:9–11

Isaiah 29:16 · BSB

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”?

Isaiah 45:9–11 · BSB

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’?

Also

Isaiah 64:8

Isaiah 64:8 · BSB

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.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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

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

Read Romans 9