Romans 15 21

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.

Romans 15:21 nkjv

but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand."

Romans 15:21 niv

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

Romans 15:21 esv

but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."

Romans 15:21 nlt

I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see,
and those who have never heard of him will understand."

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 21 Meaning

Romans 15:21 expresses the theological motivation behind Paul’s missionary strategy, directly quoting Isaiah 52:15. It means that God's plan is for the Gospel of Christ to reach those who have never previously heard or seen its message, enabling them to gain spiritual sight and understanding. This verse justifies Paul's focused endeavor to preach in unevangelized regions, demonstrating that his mission directly fulfills ancient prophecy concerning the revelation of God's salvation to the Gentiles.

Romans 15 21 Context

Romans 15:21 falls within a section where Paul discusses his missionary ambition and travel plans. Having spent significant time addressing issues of unity, weak and strong believers, and the righteousness of God for all—Jew and Gentile—Paul now shifts to his personal apostolic work. In verses 17-19, he highlights his accomplishments as an apostle to the Gentiles, empowered by Christ through word and deed. Verse 20 introduces his established policy of preaching where Christ had not been named, avoiding building on another man's foundation. Romans 15:21 then serves as the scriptural justification for this unique mission principle, citing Isaiah 52:15. This confirms that his work among the unreached Gentiles is not a deviation, but a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the global revelation of God's Messiah. Historically, this countered the narrow ethno-centrism prevalent among some Jewish groups and demonstrated the continuity of God's plan across testaments.

Romans 15 21 Word analysis

• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, signifying "on the contrary," "rather," or "but." It introduces a contrast to what Paul is not doing (building on others' foundations) and what he is doing (following the scriptural mandate).
• as (καθὼς - kathōs): Meaning "just as," "according as." It points to direct correspondence and accuracy, indicating that what follows is precisely in agreement with scripture.
• it is written (γέγραπται - gegraptai): Perfect passive indicative of γράφω (graphō - to write). This phrase denotes the abiding authority and perpetual force of scripture. It highlights that the prophecy from Isaiah 52:15 stands as an authoritative, already-accomplished declaration in God's divine counsel.
• Those who have no news of him (οἷς οὐκ ἀνηγγέλη περὶ αὐτοῦ - hois ouk anēngelē peri autou):
  • οἷς (hois): "To whom," a dative plural pronoun, indicating the recipients.
  • οὐκ (ouk): The negative particle, "not."
  • ἀνηγγέλη (anēngelē): Aorist passive of ἀναγγέλλω (anangellō - to report, announce, proclaim). "It was not announced/proclaimed." This refers to the lack of evangelistic proclamation.
  • περὶ αὐτοῦ (peri autou): "Concerning Him." "Him" refers unequivocally to Christ (Jesus as the Messiah and Suffering Servant of Isaiah). This phrase describes the Gentiles who are completely unreached by the Gospel message.
• will see (ὄψονται - opsontai): Future indicative of ὁράω (horaō - to see, perceive, understand). This refers not just to physical sight but spiritual perception, enlightenment, and apprehension of divine truth, as they comprehend the glory of Christ and the salvation He offers.
• and those who have not heard (καὶ οἳ οὐκ ἀκούσαντες - kai hoi ouk akousantes):
  • καὶ (kai): "And," linking the two parallel phrases.
  • οἳ (hoi): "Who," a relative pronoun.
  • οὐκ (ouk): "Not."
  • ἀκούσαντες (akousantes): Aorist participle of ἀκούω (akouō - to hear). "Having heard." This refers to those who lacked auditory instruction or knowledge of the divine message.
• will understand (συνήσουσιν - synēsousin): Future indicative of συνίημι (syniēmi - to understand, comprehend, put together, grasp). This signifies a deeper, internal comprehension and appreciation of the Gospel, not just surface knowledge but grasping its profound implications and truth.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "but as it is written": Paul's strong appeal to scriptural authority as the foundation and justification for his unique missionary principle. It grounds his ambition not in personal preference, but in God's revealed will. This phrase affirms the perpetual relevance of the Old Testament prophets for the New Covenant era.
• "Those who have no news of him will see": This refers to people outside of traditional Israelite covenants and previous Christian evangelization. The "news of him" (Christ) implies an active proclamation is necessary. "Will see" denotes a supernatural spiritual illumination, granting clarity about the once-hidden truth of God's salvation.
• "and those who have not heard will understand": This forms a synonymous parallelism with the preceding phrase, emphasizing both the lack of prior instruction ("not heard") and the spiritual outcome ("will understand"). It highlights that hearing the Gospel leads to a deep comprehension of its salvific power, transforming ignorance into informed faith. This phrase further emphasizes the universal reach of God's redemptive plan to those entirely without previous revelation.

Romans 15 21 Bonus section

This verse provides crucial insight into Paul's self-understanding and apostolic methodology. His dedication to reaching the "unreached" was not merely a personal preference but a Spirit-directed theological mandate derived from Scripture. It underscores that true evangelism seeks to expand the Kingdom of God into new frontiers rather than solely to consolidate or deepen existing Christian communities. This prophetic grounding also challenged the ethnocentric perspectives within early Christianity, affirming that God's desire for the revelation of Christ extends to every people group, ensuring that those once spiritually dark will come to know Him directly. Paul's commitment exemplifies the "zero-overlap" strategy—a focused intent to proclaim Christ where no foundation had yet been laid, thereby completing what he perceived as a crucial step in the advancement of God's universal redemptive purpose.

Romans 15 21 Commentary

Romans 15:21 encapsulates Paul's theological drive for global evangelism. By quoting Isaiah 52:15, Paul roots his mission strategy directly in Old Testament prophecy. He sees himself as an instrument chosen by God to fulfill the ancient promise that the Suffering Servant (Christ) would be revealed to those utterly unaware of Him—the vast Gentile world. This verse explains why Paul bypassed established churches or regions already evangelized by others, deliberately focusing his efforts on virgin missionary territory where Christ had "not been named" (Rom 15:20). His aim was to enable Gentiles, previously ignorant of God's Messiah, to spiritually "see" the truth of the Gospel and "understand" its implications for salvation. This underscores God's universal plan of redemption, inclusive of all peoples, and demonstrates the divine necessity of gospel proclamation to bring this spiritual enlightenment. It serves as a powerful testament to the unity of God's purpose throughout salvation history and the centrality of Christ's message reaching every corner of the earth.