Romans 10:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Esaias {G2268} is very bold {G662}, and {G2532} saith {G3004}, I was found {G2147} of them that sought {G2212} me {G1691} not {G3361}; I was made {G1096} manifest {G1717} unto them that asked {G1905} not {G3361} after {G1905} me {G1691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, Yesha‘yahu boldly says,

“I was found by those who were not looking for me,
I became known to those who did not ask for me”;

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:20, a powerful quotation from Isaiah 65:1, serves as a cornerstone in Paul's argument concerning God's redemptive plan, particularly the inclusion of the Gentiles. It declares God's sovereign initiative in revealing Himself to those who did not actively seek Him, underscoring that salvation is fundamentally a work of divine grace, extended beyond the confines of Israel to a broader humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's profound theological discourse in [Romans chapters 9-11](/romans/9 "Romans 9-11 - God's Righteousness and Israel's Future"), where he grapples with the perplexing question of Israel's rejection of the Messiah and God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises. Paul has just concluded a section (Romans 10:16-19) where he asks if Israel truly heard the message of the gospel, citing [Psalm 19:4](/psalms/19-4 "Psalm 19:4 - The Voice of Creation") and [Deuteronomy 32:21](/deuteronomy/32-21 "Deuteronomy 32:21 - Provocation to Jealousy") to show that the message was indeed proclaimed, and that God intended to provoke Israel to jealousy through the salvation of the Gentiles. Romans 10:20, quoting Isaiah, powerfully supports the idea that God's plan always included reaching those who were not actively pursuing Him, thus justifying the Gentile mission and explaining Israel's current state of unbelief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first century, Jewish thought often held that salvation and God's favor were primarily, if not exclusively, for the nation of Israel, who were seen as God's chosen people, diligently pursuing righteousness through the Law. The idea that God would reveal Himself to "them that sought me not" or "asked not after me" was a radical concept, challenging deeply ingrained ethnocentric perspectives. The "Gentiles" (non-Jews) were generally considered outside the covenant, often viewed with disdain or as spiritually distant. Paul's use of Isaiah 65:1, a prophecy originally directed at rebellious Israel but here applied to the Gentiles, demonstrates a profound reinterpretation of Old Testament prophecy in light of Christ, asserting God's universal redemptive purpose that transcends ethnic and legalistic boundaries.

* **Key Themes:** Romans 10:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Initiative in Salvation**, emphasizing that divine grace precedes human seeking. Salvation is not earned by human effort or merit but is a gift initiated by God, as seen in the phrase "I was found of them that sought me not." Secondly, it underscores the **Inclusion of the Gentiles** into God's redemptive plan, providing Old Testament prophetic support for what was a controversial aspect of early Christian mission. Paul consistently argues that God's righteousness is revealed to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike, a theme powerfully articulated in passages like [Romans 3:21-24](/romans/3-21-24 "Romans 3:21-24 - Righteousness Through Faith"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Mystery of God's Ways**, demonstrating that God's plan unfolds according to His divine wisdom, often in ways that defy human expectation or logic, ultimately leading to the display of His glory and mercy to all people, as further elaborated in [Romans chapter 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - The Remnant of Israel and God's Mercy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bold (Greek, _apotolmáō'_):** This word signifies venturing plainly or being very daring. Paul's description of Isaiah as "very bold" highlights the audacious and counter-cultural nature of the prophet's declaration. Isaiah dared to speak a truth that would have been profoundly challenging and even offensive to his original audience and certainly to many in Paul's Jewish audience: that God would reveal Himself to those who were not actively seeking Him, implying the inclusion of outsiders.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb means to find, discover, or obtain, whether literally or figuratively. In this context, it emphasizes God's active pursuit and revelation. It's not that the unseeking stumbled upon God by accident, but that God intentionally made Himself discoverable to them. This underscores the divine initiative in salvation, where God takes the first step to be "found" by those who were not looking for Him.
* **manifest (Greek, _emphanḗs'_):** Meaning "apparent in self" or openly displayed, this word reinforces the idea of God's clear and undeniable self-revelation. It implies a visible, undeniable showing of Himself. God did not merely allow Himself to be found; He actively made Himself known and evident to those who had no prior inclination to "ask after" Him, demonstrating His profound desire for all to know Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Esaias is very bold, and saith,"**: Paul introduces the prophecy by commending Isaiah's courage. The prophet's message, particularly its implications for Gentile inclusion and God's unmerited favor, was revolutionary and would have been challenging for many to accept. Paul emphasizes Isaiah's "boldness" to underscore the prophetic authority and divine origin of this radical truth.
* **"I was found of them that sought me not;"**: This clause, directly from Isaiah 65:1, declares God's proactive revelation to those who were not actively pursuing Him. It speaks to a divine initiative where God makes Himself accessible and known to individuals who were previously indifferent or unaware of Him. This is a profound statement of grace, indicating that salvation is not a reward for human diligence but a gift freely given by God.
* **"I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me."**: This second parallel clause reiterates and amplifies the first. To be "made manifest" means to be openly revealed or clearly displayed. The repetition reinforces the idea that God's self-disclosure is unmerited and unsolicited. It highlights the universality of God's redemptive reach, extending His revelation to those who had no prior inclination or tradition of seeking Him, specifically pointing towards the Gentiles.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's quotation of Isaiah 65:1 in Romans 10:20 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as Paul directly cites the Old Testament prophet to lend divine authority and historical precedent to his argument regarding Gentile inclusion. This technique, common in Paul's epistles, demonstrates the continuity of God's plan from the Old Covenant to the New. Furthermore, Paul uses **Personification** when he describes Isaiah as "very bold," attributing a human characteristic (boldness) to the prophet's utterance, thereby highlighting the challenging and audacious nature of the prophecy itself. The two parallel clauses, "I was found of them that sought me not" and "I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me," exemplify **Synonymous Parallelism**. This device repeats the same idea in slightly different words, intensifying the message that God's revelation is unmerited and unsolicited. Finally, the verse implies a strong **Contrast** between Israel, who diligently sought God (albeit often through the Law, leading to stumbling), and the Gentiles, who did not seek Him yet were found. This contrast is central to Paul's argument in Romans 9-11, explaining the current state of both groups in God's redemptive history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:20 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's nature and the scope of His redemptive work. It dismantles the notion that salvation is earned through human effort or limited by ethnic boundaries, emphasizing instead God's boundless grace and sovereign initiative. This verse teaches that God's love compels Him to reach out to humanity, even to those who are unaware of their need or disinclined to seek Him. It underscores that the gospel's reach is universal, extending to all nations, and that God's plan has always included the salvation of those outside the covenant of Israel. This divine pursuit is the very foundation of evangelism and missions, reminding believers that God is actively drawing people to Himself from every corner of the earth.

* [Isaiah 65:1-2](/isaiah/65-1-2 "Isaiah 65:1-2 - God's Call to the Rebellious")
* [Romans 9:30-31](/romans/9-30-31 "Romans 9:30-31 - Righteousness by Faith vs. Law")
* [Ephesians 2:12-13](/ephesians/2-12-13 "Ephesians 2:12-13 - Formerly Far Off, Now Near")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:20 offers profound encouragement and a powerful call to humility and mission. It reminds us that our salvation is not a testament to our own spiritual diligence or inherent worthiness, but a glorious display of God's unmerited favor. He sought us when we were lost, found us when we were not looking, and revealed Himself to us when we were ignorant of Him. This truth should cultivate deep gratitude and dismantle any pride in our faith journey. For those who feel distant from God or believe they are beyond His reach, this verse is a beacon of hope, declaring that God actively pursues the unseeking. It also ignites our passion for evangelism, knowing that the God who found us desires to be found by countless others who are not yet seeking Him. Our mission is to participate in His divine initiative, extending the invitation of grace to a world that desperately needs to encounter the God who makes Himself manifest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God "was found of them that sought me not" challenge your assumptions about salvation or evangelism?**
* **In what ways does this verse highlight the sovereignty of God's grace over human effort?**
* **How might understanding God's initiative in Romans 10:20 impact your prayer life for those who do not yet know Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to participate in God's mission of making Himself manifest to those who are not seeking Him?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 10:20 imply that actively seeking God is unnecessary or even counterproductive?**

Answer: No, Romans 10:20 does not imply that seeking God is unnecessary. Instead, it highlights the *priority* of God's initiative in salvation. The verse, quoting Isaiah, emphasizes that God reveals Himself even to those who are not actively seeking Him, particularly in the context of the Gentiles who were outside the covenant. This underscores the profound truth that salvation is fundamentally a gift of grace, not a reward for human effort or a discovery made solely through human striving. While God initiates, true faith involves a responsive seeking. Other scriptures consistently call people to seek God ([Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart"), [Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock")). Romans 10:20 simply establishes that God's grace extends even to those who are spiritually unaware or indifferent, making the initial revelation possible. It's about God's open hand reaching out, enabling a subsequent response of faith and seeking.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:20, by proclaiming God's self-revelation to those who did not seek Him, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's initiative, the divine Word made flesh, who "came to seek and to save the lost" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek the Lost")). While humanity was lost in sin, alienated from God and not actively seeking reconciliation, God, in His boundless love, sent His Son. Jesus did not wait for humanity to perfectly seek Him; rather, He actively pursued us, offering Himself as the propitiation for our sins ([1 John 4:10](/1_john/4-10 "1 John 4:10 - God's Love in Sending His Son")). The cross is the ultimate manifestation of God being "made manifest unto them that asked not after me," demonstrating His radical grace and willingness to bridge the chasm of sin. Through Christ's atoning work, the way was opened for both Jew and Gentile, those who sought and those who did not, to be reconciled to God, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a universal salvation that flows from God's sovereign and unmerited love, culminating in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

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 65:1

¶ 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.

Isaiah 65:2

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

Behold, I have given him [for] a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

Isaiah 55:5

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

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Matthew 22:10

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.