Romans 10:21

21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I held out my hands to welcome a disobedient and rebellious people." 1

Romans 10:21 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 10:21

But to Israel he saith
Or against Israel, or concerning Israel he saith in the same prophecy in ( Isaiah 65:2 ) .

All day long I have stretched forth my hands, unto a disobedient and
gainsaying people:
very rightly does the apostle apply these words to Israel, as he does the former to the Gentiles; and just in like manner does the above mentioned Jewish writer, R. Moses the priest, interpret them. The Lord's "stretching out [his] hands all the day long" to them, designs the ministry of the prophets one after another to them, the preaching of John the Baptist, of Christ and his apostles among them: but they were a stiffnecked and rebellious people, uncircumcised in heart and ears; would have none of his counsel, and despised his reproof; contradicted and blasphemed the word; rejected the Messiah and his Gospel; killed the Prince of life, and persecuted his apostles; so that it was just with God to write a "Lo-ammi", ( Hosea 1:9 ) , upon them, and cast them off; and, to pave the way for the account of the rejection of these people in the next chapter, is all this said, and these testimonies produced.

Romans 10:21 In-Context

19 Again I ask: Did the people of Israel not understand? Moses himself is the first one to answer: "I will use a so-called nation to make my people jealous; and by means of a nation of fools I will make my people angry."
20 And Isaiah is even bolder when he says, "I was found by those who were not looking for me; I appeared to those who were not asking for me."
21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I held out my hands to welcome a disobedient and rebellious people."

Cross References 1

  • 1. 10.21Isaiah 65.2 (LXX).
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.