Romans 10:21

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

But {G1161} to {G4314} Israel {G2474} he saith {G3004}, All {G3650} day long {G2250} I have stretched forth {G1600} my {G3450} hands {G5495} unto {G4314} a disobedient {G544} and {G2532} gainsaying {G483} people {G2992}.

but to Isra’el he says,

“All day long I held out my hands
to a people who kept disobeying and contradicting.”

But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Romans 10:21 captures a poignant expression of God's enduring patience and sorrow over Israel's persistent unbelief, drawing a direct quote from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. This verse serves as a summary of Israel’s historical response to God’s gracious offers of salvation.

Context

This verse is the concluding statement of Romans chapter 10, where the Apostle Paul passionately explains that Israel's failure to attain righteousness was due to their pursuit of it through the law rather than by faith in Christ. Paul's discussion on Israel's spiritual condition begins in Romans 9 and continues through Romans 11, addressing the question of God's faithfulness to His covenant people despite their widespread rejection of Jesus as Messiah.

The specific quote, "All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people," is taken directly from Isaiah 65:2. By quoting Isaiah, Paul emphasizes that Israel's rejection of God's overtures was not a new phenomenon but a long-standing pattern, demonstrating God's consistent effort to reconcile with His chosen nation throughout history.

Key Themes

  • God's Persistent Invitation: The phrase "stretched forth my hands" vividly portrays God's continuous, loving, and patient appeal to His people. It's an anthropomorphism signifying a welcoming gesture, an earnest plea, and an unwavering desire for reconciliation. Despite their failings, God never ceased to call them to Himself.
  • Israel's Stubborn Disobedience: The description "disobedient and gainsaying" highlights the deep-seated rebellion and opposition within Israel. This wasn't merely ignorance but an active refusal to listen, obey, or be persuaded by God's truth and grace, leading to their spiritual blindness and rejection of the Messiah.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: This verse underscores the tension between God's sovereign initiative in offering salvation and humanity's freedom to accept or reject that offer. God reaches out, but individuals and nations bear the responsibility for their response.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "disobedient" and "gainsaying" are powerful translations of the original Greek words:

  • Disobedient: From the Greek apeithounta (ἀπειθοῦντα), which means "unwilling to be persuaded," "disbelieving," or "refusing to comply." It suggests an active resistance to belief and persuasion, not just a passive lack of understanding.
  • Gainsaying: From the Greek antilegonta (ἀντιλέγοντα), meaning "speaking against," "contradicting," or "resisting." This term emphasizes the vocal and active opposition to God's message and messengers. Together, these words paint a picture of deliberate and persistent antagonism.

Practical Application

While specifically addressed to Israel, the message of Romans 10:21 resonates universally. God's patience and persistent invitation are extended to all people, regardless of their past. This verse serves as a crucial reminder:

  • God's Unwavering Love: It assures us of God's relentless pursuit of humanity, desiring all to come to repentance and faith, as seen in 2 Peter 3:9.
  • The Seriousness of Rejection: It warns against the danger of continually hardening one's heart against God's call. Persistent disobedience and gainsaying can lead to spiritual insensitivity.
  • A Call to Self-Examination: Believers are prompted to consider if there are areas in their lives where they might be "gainsaying" or "disobedient" to God's revealed will, encouraging a posture of humility and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, Romans 10:21 highlights the tragic reality of human rebellion against divine grace, while simultaneously magnifying the boundless and enduring patience of God, who continually stretches forth His hands in love.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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;

  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • Jeremiah 35:15

    I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

  • Nehemiah 9:26

    Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

  • Matthew 21:33

    Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

  • Matthew 21:43

    Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

  • Proverbs 1:24

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back