Romans 15:21

KJV

But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} as {G2531} it is written {G1125}, To whom {G3739} he {G846} was {G312} not {G3756} spoken {G312} of {G4012}, they shall see {G3700}: and {G2532} they {G3739} that have {G191} not {G3756} heard {G191} shall understand {G4920}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but rather, as the Tanakh puts it,

“Those who have not been told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.”

Berean Standard Bible

Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

American Standard Version

but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 15:21 serves as a profound theological justification for the Apostle Paul's strategic missionary endeavor to preach the Gospel in unreached territories. Quoting from the prophet Isaiah, Paul articulates his divine mandate to bring the message of Christ to those who have never heard it, asserting that God's sovereign plan includes revealing Himself to the spiritually ignorant, enabling them to perceive and comprehend the truth of salvation. This verse underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive purpose and the imperative for proactive evangelism to the ends of the earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 15:21 is situated within Paul's concluding remarks in his letter to the Roman believers, where he shifts from theological exposition to personal plans and missionary strategy. Having meticulously laid out the doctrine of justification by faith and the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ, Paul now explains his ambition to evangelize Spain, a region yet untouched by the Gospel. This verse directly follows Paul's declaration in [Romans 15:20](/romans/15-20 "Romans 15:20 - Paul's Ambition to Preach Where Christ Was Not Known") that it was his "ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation." Paul’s quotation of [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - The Astonishment of Nations at the Suffering Servant") provides the prophetic bedrock for this specific missionary principle, linking his Gentile ministry directly to God's ancient promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's ministry was characterized by an unwavering commitment to reaching the Gentile world, often pioneering new mission fields. In the Greco-Roman world of the 1st century, the vast majority of the population had no prior knowledge of the God of Israel or the Messiah. Synagogues existed in many cities, but the message of Christ had not permeated the wider pagan society. Paul's strategy, as outlined here, was counter-cultural to some extent, as many early Christian efforts focused on Jewish communities or established Christian centers. By quoting Isaiah, Paul taps into a prophetic tradition that envisioned a global reach for God's salvation, particularly through the suffering Servant. This prophecy would have resonated deeply with both Jewish and Gentile believers, affirming the divine legitimacy of Paul's mission to those outside the traditional Abrahamic covenant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to Paul's theology and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **Universality of the Gospel**, emphasizing that God's redemptive plan is not limited to a specific people group but extends to "all the ends of the earth," a theme woven throughout [Isaiah's prophecies](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - God's Servant as a Light to the Gentiles"). The concept of **Divine Revelation to the Unreached** is paramount, as the verse speaks to God's active desire to open the eyes and minds of those who are spiritually ignorant, transforming their lack of knowledge into profound understanding. Paul's use of [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - The Suffering Servant's Global Impact") underscores the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, presenting his Gentile mission not merely as a human endeavor but as a divinely ordained unfolding of God's ancient promises. Finally, the verse provides a robust **Missionary Imperative**, validating Paul's strategic focus on pioneering evangelism in new territories, rather than simply ministering where the Gospel had already taken root, aligning with the call to take the Gospel to [every nation](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This primary verb means "to grave," especially "to write," and figuratively, "to describe." Its use here signifies that Paul's missionary strategy is not a novel human invention but is rooted in and authorized by divine revelation, specifically the Old Testament Scriptures. The passive voice "it is written" emphasizes the divine authorship and authority behind the prophecy.
* **see (Greek, _optánomai'_):** This verb denotes gazing with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable, implying a profound, often spiritual, perception beyond mere physical sight. It suggests an awakening or revelation that enables one to truly grasp and comprehend a reality previously unseen or unknown. In this context, it speaks to a spiritual transformation from blindness to clear, enlightened vision concerning Christ.
* **understand (Greek, _syníēmi'_):** Derived from "to put together," this verb means to comprehend mentally, to grasp the meaning of something, and by implication, to act piously. It signifies a deep, intellectual, and spiritual comprehension that results in a transformed life. It's not just hearing facts but internalizing truth in a way that leads to genuine knowledge and often, obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But as it is written":** This introductory phrase immediately establishes the prophetic foundation for Paul's subsequent statement. It signals that what follows is not Paul's personal opinion or innovative strategy, but a direct quotation from the Old Testament, specifically [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - The Astonishment of Nations at the Suffering Servant"). This phrase confers divine authority and legitimacy upon Paul's missionary approach, framing it as the fulfillment of God's revealed will.
* **"To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see":** This clause identifies the target audience: those who have had no prior proclamation or instruction concerning "him," referring to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, whom Paul understands as Christ. The promise is that these previously ignorant people "shall see." This seeing is not merely physical sight but a profound spiritual discernment and perception of truth, a revelation that transforms their understanding of God and His Messiah. It implies a transition from spiritual darkness to light.
* **"and they that have not heard shall understand":** This parallel clause reinforces and expands upon the previous one. It speaks of those who have been entirely unacquainted with the message of salvation ("have not heard"). The promise is that they "shall understand," signifying a deep, intellectual, and spiritual comprehension of the Gospel. This understanding moves beyond simple awareness to a profound grasp of the truth, leading to conviction and faith. Together, these clauses highlight God's sovereign initiative in revealing Himself to the unreached, enabling them to perceive and comprehend the saving work of Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's use of **Quotation** is the most prominent literary device in Romans 15:21, directly citing [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - The Astonishment of Nations at the Suffering Servant"). This serves to ground his missionary strategy in the prophetic word of God, demonstrating continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment. The verse also employs **Parallelism** through its two balanced clauses: "To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand." This structure emphasizes the dual aspects of revelation—spiritual sight and intellectual comprehension—and creates a rhythmic, reinforcing effect. Furthermore, the terms "see" and "understand" function as **Metaphors** for spiritual enlightenment and profound comprehension. They are not merely literal acts but symbolize a transformative encounter with divine truth, moving from ignorance to knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 15:21 powerfully articulates God's global redemptive purpose, demonstrating that His plan of salvation extends far beyond the confines of Israel to encompass all nations. It underscores the divine initiative in revelation, asserting that God Himself will open the eyes and minds of those who have been spiritually blind and deaf to His truth. This verse highlights the profound theological truth that God desires to make Himself known to all humanity, especially those who have had no prior exposure to the Gospel. It provides a robust theological foundation for the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community, affirming that their spiritual enlightenment is a direct fulfillment of ancient prophecy, orchestrated by God for His glory.

* [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - Kings and Nations Astonished by the Servant")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")
* [Ephesians 3:6](/ephesians/3-6 "Ephesians 3:6 - Gentiles are Fellow Heirs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 15:21 stands as a timeless call to global missions, challenging believers today to embrace Paul's pioneering spirit in reaching the unreached. It compels us to consider where the Gospel has *not* been spoken or heard, urging us to prioritize those who remain spiritually ignorant of Christ. This verse reminds us that the ultimate responsibility for spiritual awakening rests with God, who sovereignly opens hearts and minds, yet He uses human instruments—us—to carry His message. Therefore, our role is to faithfully proclaim, trusting that God will grant the "seeing" and "understanding." This should ignite a passion within us for cross-cultural ministry, local evangelism, and supporting those who go to the frontiers of faith. It encourages us not to be content with ministering only where the Gospel is already known, but to actively seek out and serve those who have yet to encounter the transformative truth of Jesus Christ, recognizing that God's desire is for all to see and understand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Romans 15:21 challenge my current understanding of missions and evangelism?**
* **In what ways can I personally contribute to reaching those "to whom he was not spoken of" in my own community or globally?**
* **What does it mean for me to trust God to grant "seeing" and "understanding" as I share the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul quote Isaiah 52:15 in this context?**

Answer: Paul quotes [Isaiah 52:15](/isaiah/52-15 "Isaiah 52:15 - The Suffering Servant's Global Impact") to provide a strong Old Testament prophetic basis for his missionary strategy, particularly his ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ had not yet been named ([Romans 15:20](/romans/15-20 "Romans 15:20 - Paul's Ambition to Preach Where Christ Was Not Known")). Isaiah 52:15 speaks of the Suffering Servant (understood by Paul as the Messiah, Jesus) who will "sprinkle many nations," and kings will shut their mouths because "what they had not been told, they will see, and what they had not heard, they will understand." Paul sees his Gentile ministry—bringing the Gospel to those who previously knew nothing of Christ—as a direct fulfillment of this prophecy, thereby legitimizing his approach as divinely ordained and part of God's unfolding plan for universal salvation.

**What is the spiritual significance of "they shall see" and "they that have not heard shall understand"?**

Answer: These phrases denote much more than mere physical sight or hearing; they signify a profound spiritual transformation. "They shall see" refers to a spiritual awakening, a revelation that enables individuals to perceive and grasp divine truth that was previously hidden from them. It implies moving from spiritual blindness to enlightened understanding of who Christ is and what He has accomplished. "They that have not heard shall understand" speaks to a deep, intellectual, and spiritual comprehension of the Gospel message. It's not just an awareness of facts but a profound internalization that leads to conviction, faith, and a transformed life. Both phrases highlight God's sovereign work in opening hearts and minds, granting spiritual perception and comprehension to those who were formerly ignorant of Him. This is often accomplished through the proclamation of the Gospel by human messengers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as seen in [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - The Natural Person Does Not Accept Spiritual Things").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 15:21 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant prophesied by Isaiah. The "he" who "was not spoken of" but whom nations "shall see" and "understand" is precisely Jesus, the Messiah. Before His coming, the vast majority of the world's population had not heard the specific, saving message of God's redemptive plan centered on Him. Christ's incarnation, atoning death, and glorious resurrection are the ultimate revelation of God's character and purpose, making visible the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")). Through His perfect life and sacrificial death, Jesus became the light of the world, enabling those in spiritual darkness to "see" the truth of God's love and grace ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, illuminates hearts and minds, granting the "understanding" that leads to salvation, a mystery now revealed to all nations through the Gospel ([Ephesians 3:4-6](/ephesians/3-4-6 "Ephesians 3:4-6 - The Mystery Revealed to the Gentiles")). Thus, Paul's mission, rooted in this prophecy, is a direct extension of Christ's own mission to gather a people for Himself from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, ensuring that the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shines into the hearts of those who have never heard ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")).

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 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.

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.