Romans 10:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} I say {G3004}, Have {G191} they not {G3378} heard {G191}? Yes verily {G3304}, their {G846} sound {G5353} went {G1831} into {G1519} all {G3956} the earth {G1093}, and {G2532} their {G846} words {G4487} unto {G1519} the ends {G4009} of the world {G3625}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“But, I say, isn’t it rather that they didn’t hear?” No, they did hear —

“Their voice has gone out throughout the whole world
and their words to the ends of the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible

But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

American Standard Version

But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:18 serves as Paul's emphatic affirmation that the message of salvation through Christ has been universally proclaimed, reaching "all the earth" and "the ends of the world." By quoting Psalm 19:4, Paul underscores that just as creation's silent testimony to God's glory is undeniable, so too is the audible proclamation of the Gospel. This widespread dissemination of the divine message leaves humanity, particularly Israel, without excuse for their unbelief, highlighting their accountability before God for their response to the revealed truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 10:18 is situated within Paul's profound and often poignant discussion in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9-11 "Romans 9-11 - God's Plan for Israel") regarding God's faithfulness to Israel despite their widespread rejection of Christ. Specifically, in [Romans 10](/romans/10 "Romans 10 - Righteousness by Faith"), Paul contrasts Israel's pursuit of righteousness through the Law with the righteousness available by faith in Christ. He emphasizes the simplicity and accessibility of salvation through belief in the resurrected Jesus and confession of Him as Lord. The verses immediately preceding [Romans 10:18](/romans/10-18 "Romans 10:18 - The Universal Proclamation") build a logical chain: "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? 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!" ([Romans 10:14-15](/romans/10-14-15 "Romans 10:14-15 - The Necessity of Preaching")). Paul then poses a rhetorical question in [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Israel's Disobedience"), "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" This sets up the critical query in [Romans 10:18](/romans/10-18 "Romans 10:18 - The Universal Proclamation"): "But I say, Have they not heard?" The verse then provides the emphatic answer, leveraging Old Testament scripture to affirm the undeniable reach of God's message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote his letter to the Romans around 57 AD, addressing a diverse church in the heart of the Roman Empire. The concept of a universal message would resonate deeply in this cosmopolitan setting, where people from various nations and cultures converged. While the Roman Empire was vast, Paul's claim of the Gospel reaching "all the earth" and "the ends of the world" would have been understood within the geographical scope of the known world at the time, which largely encompassed the Roman Empire and its immediate surroundings. Furthermore, the Jewish diaspora meant that Jewish communities were established across this vast territory, making them accessible to the early Christian missionaries. Paul's argument here is not merely about physical travel but about the divine intention and efficacy of the message. The cultural context also includes the Jewish understanding of God's revelation, both through creation (as in Psalm 19) and through specific divine utterances. Paul is effectively arguing that the new revelation in Christ has a reach comparable to, or even surpassing, the universal testimony of creation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Romans and Paul's broader theology. First, it underscores the **Universal Proclamation of the Gospel**, asserting that God's message of salvation is not confined to a select few but is intended for and has reached all humanity. This theme is foundational to Paul's missionary mandate and his understanding of God's redemptive plan. Second, it highlights **Human Responsibility and Accountability**. If the message has indeed gone forth universally, then unbelief cannot be attributed to ignorance or lack of opportunity. This aligns with Paul's earlier argument in [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - Humanity Without Excuse"), where he states that God's invisible attributes are clearly perceived through creation, leaving humanity "without excuse." Third, the verse demonstrates the **Continuity of God's Revelation**, as Paul seamlessly transitions from the Old Testament testimony of creation's witness in [Psalm 19](/psalms/19 "Psalm 19 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") to the New Testament reality of the Gospel's spread. This shows that the universal witness of creation foreshadowed and now finds its fulfillment in the explicit, spoken witness of the Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sound (Greek, _phthóngos'_):** From G5353, meaning "utterance, i.e. a musical note (vocal or instrumental)." In the context of Psalm 19:4, from which Paul quotes, it refers to the non-verbal, yet audible, testimony of the heavens. Paul applies this to the Gospel, suggesting its impact is like a pervasive sound, undeniable and far-reaching.
* **earth (Greek, _gē'_):** From G1093, meaning "soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)." This word emphasizes the geographical scope of the proclamation, encompassing the entire inhabited world.
* **world (Greek, _oikouménē'_):** From G3625, meaning "the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire." This term often referred to the inhabited, civilized world, particularly the Roman Empire during Paul's time. Its inclusion, alongside "earth," further emphasizes the comprehensive and universal reach of the Gospel message, extending to all known civilizations and peoples.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I say, Have they not heard?"**: Paul introduces a rhetorical question, directly challenging any notion that Israel's unbelief stems from a lack of exposure to the Gospel. The "they" refers primarily to Israel, whose spiritual blindness and disobedience are central to Paul's argument in this section of Romans. This question sets the stage for Paul's emphatic refutation.
* **"Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth,"**: Paul provides a resounding affirmative answer to his own question. He directly quotes [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - Universal Witness of Creation"), applying the Psalmist's description of creation's universal, silent testimony to the audible, explicit proclamation of the Gospel. The "sound" (Greek: _phthóngos_) here signifies the widespread, pervasive, and undeniable nature of the Gospel's reach, akin to a musical note or a powerful declaration that resonates everywhere.
* **"and their words unto the ends of the world."**: This second clause from [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - Universal Witness of Creation") reinforces the previous statement, using "words" (Greek: _rhēma_) to emphasize the content and clarity of the message. The phrase "unto the ends of the world" (Greek: _péras_ of the _oikouménē_) signifies the uttermost geographical limits of the inhabited world, leaving no corner untouched by the Gospel's pervasive influence.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in [Romans 10:18](/romans/10-18 "Romans 10:18 - The Universal Proclamation") to strengthen his argument. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question** ("Have they not heard?"), a common Pauline technique used not to elicit information but to make a forceful point and guide the reader to the intended conclusion. The immediate answer, "Yes verily," underscores the undeniable truth. The most prominent device is **Allusion and Quotation**, as Paul directly quotes [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - Universal Witness of Creation") from the Septuagint. This serves as a powerful **Argument from Scripture**, grounding his contemporary theological claim in the timeless authority of the Old Testament. Furthermore, Paul's application of a psalm originally describing the silent testimony of creation to the audible proclamation of the Gospel involves a sophisticated form of **Typology** or **Analogical Reasoning**. He suggests that the universal and undeniable witness of the natural world to God's glory is a type or analogy for the equally universal and undeniable witness of the Gospel. The "sound" and "words" of creation are thus paralleled with the "sound" and "words" of the Gospel, implying a pervasive and inescapable divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:18 profoundly asserts the universal reach of God's redemptive message, challenging any notion that people, particularly Israel, are ignorant of the path to salvation due to a lack of opportunity. This verse highlights God's sovereign initiative in ensuring that the Gospel is proclaimed far and wide, making human accountability for belief or unbelief a central theme. It underscores that God's desire is for all to hear and respond, and He has provided the means for that to happen. The connection to [Psalm 19](/psalms/19 "Psalm 19 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") is crucial, as it links the general revelation of God in creation with the specific revelation of God in Christ through the Gospel. Just as the heavens declare God's glory to all humanity, so too has the explicit message of Christ gone forth to every corner of the earth, leaving no one without a witness. This truth provides both comfort in God's expansive plan and a challenge regarding human responsibility.

* [Colossians 1:23](/colossians/1-23 "Colossians 1:23 - Gospel Preached to Every Creature")
* [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness Globally")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:18 offers a powerful assurance of God's expansive plan for salvation and His active involvement in its dissemination. It reminds us that the Gospel is not a hidden secret but a universally declared truth, resonating across cultures and continents. This understanding should ignite within believers a renewed sense of confidence in the mission of evangelism, knowing that we are participating in a divine work that God Himself ensures will reach the "ends of the world." While the verse affirms the historical and ongoing spread of the Gospel, it also implicitly charges us with the ongoing task of being the "feet" of those who preach the good news ([Romans 10:15](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - Beautiful Feet")). It challenges us to move beyond the assumption that unbelief is always due to ignorance, recognizing that for many, it is a matter of willful rejection or a hardened heart. This calls us to persistent prayer, compassionate witness, and a clear articulation of the Gospel, trusting that God's word, like the sound of creation, will find its mark and elicit a response.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal proclamation of the Gospel, as described in Romans 10:18, impact your understanding of God's character and His desire for humanity?**
* **If "their sound went into all the earth," what is our responsibility today in ensuring that every individual has a clear opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, inadvertently contribute to the perception that the Gospel is a secret or exclusive message, rather than a universally accessible truth?**
* **How can the truth that "unbelief is not due to a lack of hearing" shape our approach to sharing the Gospel with those who seem resistant or indifferent?**

### FAQ
**Does "all the earth" in Romans 10:18 mean that every single person in history has literally heard the Gospel?**

Answer: While the language "all the earth" and "ends of the world" is comprehensive, it should be understood in light of its original context and Paul's theological point. Paul is quoting [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - Universal Witness of Creation"), which speaks of creation's testimony. Just as creation's "sound" is universal in its reach to all humanity, making God's existence and power known ([Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - Humanity Without Excuse")), so too has the explicit Gospel message gone forth universally. This does not necessarily mean every single individual has heard it audibly, but rather that the message has been broadly and effectively disseminated throughout the inhabited world, making it accessible and leaving humanity without excuse for unbelief. It emphasizes the *opportunity* to hear, and God's sovereign plan for its global spread through His messengers.

**Why does Paul quote Psalm 19:4 in this context? What is the connection between creation's testimony and the Gospel?**

Answer: Paul's quotation of [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - Universal Witness of Creation") is a brilliant rhetorical and theological move. In [Psalm 19](/psalms/19 "Psalm 19 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"), the "sound" and "words" refer to the silent, yet undeniable, testimony of the heavens and creation to God's glory and power. This is a form of "general revelation." Paul applies this concept to the "special revelation" of the Gospel. He argues that just as creation's witness is universal and leaves humanity without excuse for not knowing God, so too has the explicit, audible proclamation of the Gospel gone forth with similar universality and undeniable force. The connection is that both forms of revelation—creation's testimony and the Gospel's proclamation—are God's means of making Himself known to humanity, ensuring that the opportunity to respond is widely available.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:18, affirming the universal proclamation of the Gospel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and power in Jesus Christ. It is through Him that the "sound" and "words" of salvation have gone forth to the "ends of the world." Christ is the very content of this universal message; He is the "good news" that is preached. The Great Commission given by the resurrected Lord Jesus in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "The Great Commission") commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations," ensuring the continued global spread of this message. Jesus, as the incarnate Word of God ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "The Word Incarnate")), is the one through whom all things were created, and thus the one to whom all creation testifies. Therefore, when Paul applies [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - Universal Witness of Creation") to the Gospel, he implicitly points to Christ as the one who embodies and orchestrates this universal testimony. The "sound" of the Gospel is the echo of His finished work on the cross and His triumphant resurrection, a message of reconciliation and new life that reverberates across every land and people group. The universal reach of the Gospel is not merely a human endeavor but a divine imperative, empowered by the Spirit of Christ, ensuring that His name will be proclaimed to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude from Every Nation")).

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

Psalms 19:4

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Romans 1:8

¶ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Colossians 1:23

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Colossians 1:6

Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth:

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.