The limits of human inquiry

And regarding these things, the apostle moves the word forward to two points: first, to show that it is not fitting for men to search out the depths of God; and second, to preserve the most correct word of salvation, since some are not receiving mercy and some are receiving mercy.

For he says, 'the creature does not say to the creator' (Romans 9:20), and the following. This first cuts down the rash curiosity of many, who, seeking to examine the purposes of God subtly, attempt to unearth things unsearchable for men down to the finest detail. For what are you, he says, searching out God? And about what things are you searching so intently? It is impossible for you to know the mind of the Creator, just as it is for a creature to know the mind of its maker; for you differ in nothing from a soulless thing in being able to grasp the purpose of God.

Moreover, it also absurdly attempts to cut into the authority of God, as if he were not obligated to have authority to arrange each of those being made in whatever way he would wish and deem beneficial, even if the nature of all is one and all are recipients of mercy. For just as the potter has the authority, with the same single material of clay being present, to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor, so also the Creator of all things, foreknowing the future through the present, brings forth one to be shown mercy and another to be shown wrath.

But having divinely foretold these things reverently toward the audacious and those exalting themselves above human nature, he also reveals the purpose of the will of God and says: if God wills...