Romans 10:14-21 Lesson 303

Romans 10:14-21
Lesson 303

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Israel keeps rejecting the Messiah.

Salvation comes to those who hear and believe.

Moses

By French artist Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674).

Study Tip:

Write down important Bible verses, memorize them, and ponder their meaning.
Build a list of your favorite verses.

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Romans

The King James Bible

Romans 10:14-21
Not all believe

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Margin notes:

"How shall they hear without a preacher?" (11:14) - One way God reveals himself is through preachers(Titus 1:3).

"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace." (10:15) - Paul is quoting Isaiah 52:7, where Old Testament prophets announced that God would deliver the Jewish people from exile in Babylon. Paul compares that proclamation to believers in the New Testament announcing the good news of the Messiah.

"Lord, who hath believed our report?" (10:16) - "Lord, who has believed our message." This is a line from Esaias' song of the "Suffering Servant" (Isaiah 53:1). It predicted the coming Messiah seven hundred years before the birth of Christ. It depicts Jesus as a humble servant come to save humanity. See also John 12:38.

"Faith cometh by hearing." (10:17) - We must first hear the good news to believe the good news. See also Galatians 3:2 and 3:5.

"Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." (10:18) - This is a paraphrase from Psalm 19:4, showing that Jews had ample opportunity to hear "the word of God" (10:17). They just needed to believe.

"I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you." (10:19) - Quoted from Deuteronomy 32:21, which predicted that the Gospel would be offered to Gentiles after Jews rejected it. See also "Today's Question" below.

"I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me." (10:20) - "I was found by people (Gentiles) who were not looking for me; I was revealed to those who never asked about me." This verse is from Isaiah 65:1. Gentiles found the Messiah even though, unlike the Jews, they weren't expecting or even looking for Him.

"All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (10:21) - "Gainsaying" means stubborn. Paraphrased from Isaiah 65:2. Jews were expecting the Messiah but still rejected Him.

New Living Translation

Romans 10:14-21

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, "Lord, who has believed our message?"

17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

  "The message has gone throughout the earth,
      and the words to all the world."

19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,

  "I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.
      I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles."

20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,

  "I was found by people who were not looking for me.
      I showed myself to those who were not asking for me."

21 But regarding Israel, God said,

  "All day long I opened my arms to them,
      but they were disobedient and rebellious."

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Who are "them that are no people" and the citizens of the "foolish nation?" (10:19)

Forward this lesson to a friend.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. To biblical era Jews, "them that are no people" and the "foolish nation" were Gentiles. Jews had contempt for Gentiles. This explains why many were offended when Paul preached to Gentiles about the God of Israel.

Application thought for the day:

Do Christians have a duty to lead others to Christ (10:14-15)?
Do you know someone who needs the guidance that only God offers?
Have you a family member looking for the light only the Messiah can shine?
Pray that the right messenger will find them and lead them to Christ?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2022 evolke

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