Romans 10:20
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.
Romans 10:20 in other translations
| BSB | And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.” |
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| WEB | Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who didn’t seek me. I was revealed to those who didn’t ask for me.” |
| ASV | And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. |
| YLT | and Isaiah is very bold, and saith, ‘I was found by those not seeking Me; I became manifest to those not inquiring after Me;' |
| DARBY | But Esaias is very bold, and says, I have been found by those not seeking me; I have become manifest to those not inquiring after me. |
| BBE | And Isaiah says without fear, Those who were not searching for me made discovery of me; and I was seen by those whose hearts were turned away from me. |
| Webster | But Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found by them that sought me not; I was made manifest to them that asked not for me. |
What does Romans 10:20 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Is very bold. Expresses the doctrine openly, boldly, without any reserve. The word (αποτολμα) means, to dare, to be venturesome, to be bold. It means here, that however unpopular the doctrine might be, or however dangerous it was to avow that the Jews were extremely wicked, and that God for their wickedness would cast them off, yet that Isaiah had long since done it. This was the point which Paul was establishing; and against this the objection was urged, and all the Jewish prejudices excited. This is the reason why he so much insists on it, and is so anxious to defend every part by the writings of acknowledged authority among the Jews--the Old Testament. The quotation is made from the Septuagint, with only a slight change in the order of the phrases. The meaning is, that God was found, or the true knowledge of him was obtained, by those who had not sought after him; that is, by the Gentiles, who had worshipped idols, and who had not sought for the true God. This does not mean that we are to expect to find God if we do not seek for him; or that in fact any become Christians who do not seek for it, and make an effort. The contrary is abundantly taught in the Scriptures, Heb 11:6, 1Chr 28:8,9, Mt 6:33, 7:7, Lk 11:9. But it means, that the Gentiles, whose characteristic was not that they sought God, would have the gospel sent to them, and would embrace it. The phrase, "I was found," in the past tense here, is in the present in the Hebrew, intimating that the time would come when God would say this of himself; that is, that the time would come when the Gentiles would be brought to the knowledge of the true God. This doctrine was one which Isaiah had constantly in his eye, and which he did not fear to bring openly before the Jews.
(b) "I was found" Isa 65:1,2
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 10:18-21
Did not the Jews know that the Gentiles were to be called in? They might have known it from Moses and Isaiah. Isaiah speaks plainly of the grace and favour of God, as going before in the receiving of the Gentiles. Was not this our own case? Did not God begin in love, and make himself known to us when we did not ask after him? The patience of God towards provoking sinners is wonderful. The time of God's patience is…
Romans 10:20 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 10:20
- Isaiah 65:1-2
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
- Romans 9:30
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
- Isaiah 55:4-5
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
- Matthew 22:9-10
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
- Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
- Ephesians 6:19-20
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
- Isaiah 52:15
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
- Luke 14:23
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
- 1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.
- Isaiah 58:1
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
- Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
- Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Romans 10:19
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.
- Romans 10:20
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.
- Romans 10:21
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Romans 10:20 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | E Isaías determinadamente dice: Fuí hallado de los que no me buscaban; manifestéme á los que no preguntaban por mí. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mais Ésaïe s’enhardit tout à fait, et dit: « J’ai été trouvé de ceux qui ne me cherchaient point, et j’ai été manifesté à ceux qui ne s’enquéraient point de moi ». |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Jesaias aber erkühnt sich und spricht: "Ich bin gefunden worden von denen, die mich nicht suchten, ich bin offenbar geworden denen, die nicht nach mir fragten". |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Isaias autem audet, et dicit: Inventus sum a non quærentibus me: palam apparui iis qui me non interrogabant. |