Romans 10:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} they have {G5219} not {G3756} all {G3956} obeyed {G5219} the gospel {G2098}. For {G1063} Esaias {G2268} saith {G3004}, Lord {G2962}, who {G5101} hath believed {G4100} our {G2257} report {G189}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The problem is that they haven’t all paid attention to the Good News and obeyed it. For Yesha‘yahu says,

“Adonai, who has trusted what he has heard from us?”

Berean Standard Bible

But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

American Standard Version

But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:16 confronts the painful reality of widespread unbelief despite the clear and universal proclamation of the gospel message. Paul, addressing the persistent rejection of God's saving truth, particularly among his fellow Israelites, quotes the prophet Isaiah to demonstrate that this resistance to the divine "report" was not unforeseen but a sorrowful pattern foretold centuries earlier, highlighting the human tendency to resist God's gracious call.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's fervent defense of God's faithfulness to Israel, even in their unbelief, in Romans 9-11. Immediately preceding [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Unbelief in the Face of the Gospel"), Paul has passionately articulated the accessibility of salvation to all who confess Christ and believe in their hearts ([Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9-13 "Romans 10:9-13 - Salvation for All Who Call on the Lord")). He then emphasizes the necessary sequence for salvation: hearing, believing, calling, and sending preachers ([Romans 10:14-15](/romans/10-14-15 "Romans 10:14-15 - The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel")). Having established the universal availability and the means of the gospel's proclamation, Paul introduces [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Unbelief in the Face of the Gospel") with a stark "But," acknowledging the disappointing reality that not all who hear have responded in obedience. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent discussion on the nature of faith and hearing in [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing") and the broader theological problem of Israel's rejection of Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's primary audience for the letter to the Romans included both Jewish and Gentile believers in the imperial capital. The issue of Jewish unbelief was a profound theological and personal burden for Paul, as expressed in [Romans 9:1-5](/romans/9-1-5 "Romans 9:1-5 - Paul's Anguish Over Israel"). Within this context, the quotation from [Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - Who Has Believed Our Report?") is particularly potent. Isaiah 53 is a pivotal prophetic text, deeply significant to Jewish messianic expectations, describing the suffering servant who bears the sins of many. By quoting this lament, Paul draws on a familiar and authoritative scripture to explain that the current unbelief among his Jewish brethren was not a failure of God's plan or the gospel's power, but a continuation of a historical pattern of resistance to divine revelation. The cultural expectation was that God's chosen people would readily embrace His message, yet history, and now the present reality, showed a different, more tragic outcome.
* **Key Themes:** [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Unbelief in the Face of the Gospel") contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and Paul's theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Reality of Human Unbelief**, demonstrating that despite God's clear revelation and gracious provision for salvation, not all will respond with faith and obedience. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, from Israel's wilderness wanderings to the rejection of Jesus by many in His own day, as seen in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"). Secondly, it highlights **Prophetic Foresight and God's Sovereignty**, showing that the present state of unbelief was not an unforeseen anomaly but was foretold in the Old Testament. Paul's use of Isaiah confirms that God's plan accounts for human resistance, even as He continues to extend His call. This connects to the broader theme of God's mysterious ways and His ultimate purpose for both Jew and Gentile, as explored in [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - God's Plan for Israel and Gentiles"). Finally, the verse implicitly emphasizes **Obedience as the Proper Response to the Gospel**. To "obey the gospel" is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative surrender to Christ's Lordship, leading to a life lived in accordance with His truth, a concept Paul elaborates on in [Romans 6:17](/romans/6-17 "Romans 6:17 - Obedience from the Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **obeyed (Greek, _hypakoúō_):** From G5219. This verb means "to hear under," implying listening attentively and, by extension, heeding or conforming to a command or authority. It signifies more than just passive reception of information; it denotes an active, willing submission to the message's authority, leading to a change in conduct or belief. In the context of the gospel, it means to respond with faith and surrender to Christ's Lordship.
* **gospel (Greek, _euangélion_):** From G2098. This term literally means "a good message" or "good news." In the New Testament, it refers specifically to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and ascension—and the call to repentance and faith. It is the divine proclamation of God's saving work for humanity.
* **report (Greek, _akoḗ_):** From G189. This word refers to "hearing" (the act, the sense, or the thing heard), a message, tidings, or a rumor. In this specific context, especially as a quotation from Isaiah 53:1, it refers to the prophetic message or divine revelation concerning God's saving work and the identity of His suffering servant, which Paul directly applies to the message of Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they have not all obeyed the gospel."**: This opening clause serves as a stark contrast ("But") to the preceding verses which emphasize the universal availability and necessity of the gospel's proclamation. Paul acknowledges the painful reality that despite the clear and widespread declaration of the good news, not everyone who hears it responds with the necessary faith and submission. The phrase "obeyed the gospel" signifies a response of faith that transforms one's life, rather than mere intellectual acknowledgment. The "not all" highlights that while some have responded, a significant portion, particularly among Israel, has not.
* **"For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"**: Paul immediately provides biblical justification for this observed unbelief by quoting [Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - Who Has Believed Our Report?"). The conjunction "For" indicates that the prophet's words explain or confirm the reality of unbelief. By invoking Isaiah, Paul demonstrates that the rejection of God's message is not a new phenomenon unique to his era or the gospel, but a pattern foreseen in ancient prophecy. The rhetorical question, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" expresses lament and astonishment at the scarcity of those who truly believed the message delivered by God's prophets, thereby validating Paul's contemporary observation of widespread unbelief in the gospel.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 10:16 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Paul directly cites [Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - Who Has Believed Our Report?"). This serves as an **Allusion** to the Old Testament, grounding his contemporary observation of unbelief in ancient prophetic foresight and demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan and human response throughout history. The quoted phrase, "Lord, who hath believed our report?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question**. It is not a literal inquiry seeking information, but a lament expressing profound disappointment and astonishment at the scarcity of true belief. This rhetorical device emphasizes the widespread nature of unbelief and underscores the difficulty of the prophetic task. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the universal proclamation of the gospel (as described in the preceding verses) and the limited, often resistant, response it receives, highlighting the tension between divine initiative and human freedom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:16 is a pivotal verse that bridges the universal call of the gospel with the challenging reality of human response, particularly within the context of Israel's historical relationship with God. Theologically, it affirms God's sovereign knowledge, as the widespread unbelief was foretold, yet it does not diminish human responsibility for rejecting the divine "report." The "obedience of the gospel" is not a work-based righteousness but the active, Spirit-enabled response of faith that surrenders to Christ's Lordship, demonstrating that true belief is never passive. This verse underscores that while the message of salvation is freely offered to all, its acceptance requires a humble and obedient heart, a truth consistently revealed throughout biblical history.

* [John 12:37-38](/john/12-37-38 "Unbelief Despite Miracles") - This passage also quotes [Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Who Has Believed Our Report?") to explain the widespread unbelief in Jesus despite His many miraculous signs.
* [Acts 6:7](/acts/6-7 "Obedience to the Faith") - Describes how many priests became "obedient to the faith," illustrating the positive response to the gospel.
* [2 Thessalonians 1:8](/2_thessalonians/1-8 "Judgment on Those Who Do Not Obey the Gospel") - Warns of judgment for those "that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:16 offers profound insights for both those who proclaim the gospel and those who hear it. For evangelists and missionaries, it serves as a sobering reminder that not everyone will accept the message, even when delivered with clarity and passion. This reality, foreseen by God, should temper discouragement and foster perseverance, understanding that the outcome rests with God's sovereign working in hearts, not solely on human effort. Our call is to faithfully sow the seed of the "report." For individuals, this verse prompts a deep personal examination: Have I truly "obeyed the gospel"? Is my faith merely intellectual assent, or has it led to a transformed life of submission to Christ's authority? The gospel demands more than passive hearing; it calls for an active, obedient response that reorients one's entire being around the Lordship of Jesus. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere familiarity with Christian truths to a genuine, life-altering embrace of the good news.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be hearing the "report" of the gospel but failing to "obey" it in my daily life?**
* **How does the reality of widespread unbelief, even among those who hear the gospel, shape my approach to evangelism and prayer?**
* **Considering Isaiah's lament, what does it mean for me to truly "believe" God's report about Jesus Christ, and how is that belief evidenced?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "obey the gospel"?**

Answer: To "obey the gospel" means much more than simply hearing the message or intellectually agreeing with its tenets. It signifies a transformative response of faith that involves a willing submission to the truth and authority of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This obedience is not a work-based righteousness, but the fruit of genuine faith, leading to repentance from sin, trust in Christ's atoning work, and a life lived in alignment with His teachings and will. It implies a heart that has been changed by the Holy Spirit, leading to practical submission to God's commands and a life of discipleship. Passages like [Acts 6:7](/acts/6-7 "Acts 6:7 - Obedience to the Faith") and [Romans 6:17](/romans/6-17 "Romans 6:17 - Obedience from the Heart") illustrate this concept of faith leading to obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:16, by quoting [Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - Who Has Believed Our Report?"), profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate "report" and the one to be "obeyed." Isaiah 53, the very chapter from which Paul quotes, is the most detailed Old Testament prophecy of the suffering servant, who is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the one whose "report" of redemptive suffering and glorious vindication was largely disbelieved by His own people, as lamented by the prophet and echoed by Paul. Jesus Himself is the embodiment of the good news, the [euangélion](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel") that Paul proclaims. To "obey the gospel" is therefore to obey Christ—to surrender to His Lordship, to trust in His finished work on the cross, and to follow Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The unbelief lamented in [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Unbelief in the Face of the Gospel") is ultimately a rejection of Christ Himself, who is the very message of salvation. Yet, for those who do believe and obey, Christ is the power of God unto salvation ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")), fulfilling the prophetic "report" with His resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all who call upon His name ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation for All Who Call on the Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:1

¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Romans 3:3

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

John 12:38

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

John 12:40

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Hebrews 4:2

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].

2 Thessalonians 1:8

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Galatians 5:7

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?