Romans 10:16-17
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul uses Isaiah's lament not to excuse disobedience, but to show that a lack of belief is precisely what God foretold, highlighting that hearing the message (our "report") doesn't guarantee acceptance. The powerful truth here is that "obedience" to the gospel isn't just intellectual assent, but a deep-seated response to what we've heard, and God’s Word anticipated this very human struggle.
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul anticipates an objection: if God's message is so good and the messengers are divinely sent, why haven't more people believed? He answers by citing Isaiah, who prophetically lamented the lack of faith in his own message, showing that rejection has always been a part of God's plan for humanity. This sets the stage for explaining that true faith comes not just from hearing, but from God revealing His arm through the message.
The Bible uses the word 'obeyed' when talking about the gospel. What does that really mean? Is it just a general agreement, or something more?
The Apostle Paul uses the Greek word for 'obeyed' (hypēkousan) to describe how people respond to the gospel. This word isn't just about passively hearing; it implies a decisive act of submission and agreement that comes after listening. Think about it like this: you can hear instructions, but obedience is when you actually do them. When Paul says 'they have not all obeyed the gospel,' he's highlighting that a failure to believe and act on the message is a form of disobedience, not just a missed opportunity to hear.
The Apostle Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah to make a powerful point. What does Isaiah's ancient complaint reveal about why some people reject the gospel?
Paul brings in Isaiah's cry, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?' This isn't just a rhetorical question; it's a lament that reflects a deep reality. Isaiah, speaking prophetically about the Messiah's coming, saw that many would not believe the message about Him. This quote highlights that unbelief isn't a new problem. It points to a problem of the heart: a reluctance or refusal to truly believe what God has communicated, even when it's clearly proclaimed. It suggests that a lack of belief often stems from an inward resistance, not just a lack of hearing.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
hypakouō · Greek Verb
To submit to, comply with, or follow the authority of another. In a biblical context, it involves active trust and alignment of one's life with the truth of the gospel.
euangelion · Greek Noun
The 'good news' of salvation through Jesus Christ. It encompasses the life, death, and resurrection of Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises for the redemption of humanity.
pistis · Greek Noun
A firm conviction, trust, or reliance on God and His promises. In the New Testament, it is the fundamental response to the gospel and the means by which one is justified before God.
rhēma · Greek Noun
The message, decree, or revelation of God. In this context, it specifically refers to the proclamation of the message concerning Christ, which serves as the content of faith.
Paul uses Isaiah's lament about the disbelief surrounding his prophecy to explain why the gospel message, even when powerfully proclaimed, is not universally accepted. The historical pattern of rejection, from Isaiah's time to Jesus' and the apostles', underscores that genuine faith is a divine gift, not merely a human response to good news.
c. 700 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Ministry
The prophet Isaiah delivers his message about God's coming judgment and salvation, including foretelling the suffering and reign of a future servant who will be rejected by many.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the exile of many Judeans to Babylon, serves as a backdrop for understanding rejection and scattering.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Rejection
Jesus proclaims the good news of the Kingdom of God, but is largely rejected and ultimately crucified by the religious and political authorities.
c. AD 33-40s
Early Apostolic Preaching
The apostles begin preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his death and resurrection, to both Jews and Gentiles, facing varying degrees of acceptance and rejection.
c. AD 40s-60s— this verse
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul extensively travels throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and proclaiming the gospel, encountering both great success and significant opposition.
This is the direct Old Testament passage quoted by Paul, highlighting the prophet Isaiah's own lament over the lack of belief in his message concerning the suffering servant.
John 12:38This passage also quotes Isaiah 53:1 in the context of Jesus' ministry, showing the consistent theme of disbelief even when encountering the Messiah firsthand.
Romans 10:14This verse immediately precedes the one in question and sets up the logical chain of how people come to believe and call on God, making the lack of obedience a crucial point.
Hebrews 4:2This verse uses a similar concept of 'hearing' not leading to 'belief' or 'profit' for those whose faith is not united with belief, mirroring the issue of non-obedience in Romans 10:16.
1 Samuel 15:22This passage emphasizes that obedience is more valuable than sacrifice, underscoring the idea that true hearing of the gospel must result in obedience, not just intellectual assent.
vincentRomans 10:16: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"
Obeyed (ὑπήκουσαν)See on obedience and disobedience, Romans 5:19. Also see on Acts 5:29. Obeyed as the result of listening, and so especially appropriate here. Compare head and hear, Romans 10:14. For the same reason hearken (Rev.) is better than obeyed.Report (ἀκοῇ)Lit., hearing. Similarly, Matthew 14:1; Mark 13:7. Compare the phrase word of hearing, 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews…
cambridgeRomans 10:16: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"
16 . But they have not all obeyed the gospel ] i.e. the gospel, or good tidings, just specified; that of “peace.”—Here St Paul meets from prophecy the supposed objection that the message had only partially succeeded. Innumerable Gentiles had rejected it: was not this an indication that the messengers had no commission? No: Isaiah himself had prophetically deplored just such seeming sca…
Paul uses Isaiah's lament not to excuse disobedience, but to show that a lack of belief is precisely what God foretold, highlighting that hearing the message (our "report") doesn't guarantee acceptance. The powerful truth here is that "obedience" to the gospel isn't just intellectual assent, but a deep-seated response to what we've heard, and God’s Word anticipated this very human struggle.
Paul anticipates an objection: if God's message is so good and the messengers are divinely sent, why haven't more people believed? He answers by citing Isaiah, who prophetically lamented the lack of faith in his own message, showing that rejection has always been a part of God's plan for humanity. This sets the stage for explaining that true faith comes not just from hearing, but from God revealing His arm through the message.
Paul anticipates an objection: if God's message is so good and the messengers are divinely sent, why haven't more people believed? He answers by citing Isaiah, who prophetically lamented the lack of faith in his own message, showing that rejection has always been a part of God's plan for humanity. This sets the stage for explaining that true faith comes not just from hearing, but from God revealing His arm through the message.
"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." — Paul uses Isaiah's lament not to excuse disobedience, but to show that a lack of belief is precisely what God foretold, highlighting that hearing the message (our "report") doesn't guarantee accept…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
