“Of Him, and Through Him, and To Him” (Smith)

Romans 11:35–36

“For who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

Nothing is owed to God by the creature. Man cannot repay God, earn favor, or contribute merit. Even our best works are described as filthy rags. Salvation rests entirely upon the righteousness of Christ alone.

Verse 36 answers the foundational question: Does God receive glory in all things? The answer is unequivocal—yes. All things originate from Him (of Him), are executed by Him (through Him), and ultimately return to Him (to Him) for His glory.

There are no exceptions.

Christ the Creator and the Purpose of All Things

Colossians 1:16 

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

John 1:1–3 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Scripture testifies that all things—visible and invisible—were created by Christ and for Christ. This includes thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. Angels, both elect and fallen, exist by divine decree and serve God’s purpose.

God did not create because He lacked something. He is self-sufficient and needs nothing. Creation exists not to fulfill God’s needs but to serve His will and manifest His glory.

To be created for Him is to be created to serve a divine purpose—whether as a vessel of mercy or a vessel of wrath.

The Wicked and the Day of Evil

Proverbs 16:4

“The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”

This verse leaves no room for theological evasion. God declares that He has made all things for Himself, including the wicked. The wicked are not an accident of history nor an unintended consequence of human freedom. They exist by divine purpose.

The Hebrew word translated "wicked" appears hundreds of times in the Old Testament and is also rendered "ungodly" and "condemned". God defines His own terms. The wicked are created for the day of evil, not merely judged in it, but for it.

This truth does not make God unrighteous. Rather, it magnifies His sovereignty and holiness.