Romans 10:20-21
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that God's initiative in revealing Himself was so profound that He "was found" by those who weren't even looking for Him, emphasizing His proactive grace reaching beyond expectations, not that seeking Him isn't ultimately part of the journey. This bold declaration underscores that God actively made Himself known, reversing the typical human pursuit of the divine.
Paul is building on his argument that God's promise to Israel was meant to ultimately bring salvation to all people, including Gentiles. He’s just quoted Moses about how Israel's pursuit of a righteousness based on law would lead to stumbling, while Gentiles who weren't even looking for righteousness would find it through faith. To further prove that God’s plan included Gentiles from the very beginning, Paul turns to the prophet Isaiah, who boldly declared that God made himself known to people who weren't even looking for him.
Why does Paul describe Isaiah's words as 'very bold'? What made this prophet's message so daring for his audience?
Paul introduces this quote from Isaiah not just to support his argument, but to highlight the sheer audacity of the message itself. The Greek word for 'bold' here suggests a daring, almost reckless, courage.
A Counter-Cultural Message
Imagine the scene: Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, God's chosen nation. Yet, he declares that God will be found by those who weren't looking for Him, those who never even asked. This was incredibly bold because:
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 10:20-21 is available in the Sola app.
Who is doing the finding in this verse? And what does that tell us about how people come to know God?
The heart of this verse is God's active pursuit. The phrasing, 'I have been found' and 'I have shown myself,' flips the script on how we often think about faith.
Divine Proactivity
It's not primarily about people searching and finally stumbling upon God. It's about God making Himself known, often to those who weren't even looking:
The original Hebrew of Isaiah hints at God 'offering answers' and 'putting Himself in the way.' It's less about passive discovery and more about an active, intentional self-revelation by God.
Understand the original words
Israēl · Hebrew/Greek Noun
The covenant people of God, chosen by Him to be a light to the nations and the recipients of His promises. In this context, it refers to the historical ethnic nation that often resisted God's prophets and His grace.
apeithounta · Greek Adjective/Participle
A state of being in which an individual refuses to comply with God's commands or authority. It characterizes a heart that is willfully resistant to God's revealed will and moral standards.
antilegonta · Greek Adjective/Participle
Characterized by opposition, contradiction, or arguing against something. It describes a disposition that actively resists or talks back against divine authority or direction.
Paul pulls from Isaiah's ancient words, which were originally spoken to a backslidden Israel. He boldly reinterprets them to show that God's initiative in salvation has always extended beyond Israel, a truth powerfully demonstrated by the inclusion of Gentiles through the gospel.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Prophesies
Isaiah delivers his prophetic message to Judah, including prophecies about judgment and restoration, and the eventual inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and many Jewish leaders are exiled to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and their relationship with God.
c. 539 BC
Persian Empire Rises
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, leading to the eventual Persian Edict of Restoration, allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem.
c. 440 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah Lead Return
Ezra and Nehemiah lead significant waves of Jewish returnees from exile, focusing on rebuilding the Temple and reforming religious and social life according to the Law.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and drawing both Jewish followers and, eventually, attracting attention from Gentiles.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
Paul writes his letter to the Romans from Corinth, likely aiming to establish a ministry base for his planned trip to Spain. He addresses the inclusion of Gentiles in God's salvation plan.
This is the direct source of the quote Paul uses, providing the original context of God revealing Himself to a people who weren't actively seeking Him.
Romans 9:30-31This passage immediately precedes the quote in Romans and sets up the idea that Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, attained it, while Israel, pursuing the law, did not.
Acts 10:34-35This passage from Acts shows Peter's realization that God shows no favoritism and welcomes Gentiles who fear Him and do what is right, reflecting the theme of God being found by those not traditionally seeking Him.
John 4:23-24Jesus speaks about the Father seeking true worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and truth, a concept that aligns with God making Himself known to those who may not be seeking Him in the traditional, ritualistic ways.
vincentRomans 10:20: "But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me."
Is very bold (ἀποτολμᾷ)Only here in the New Testament. Plato, "Laws," 701, uses it of liberty as too presumptuous (ἀποτετολμημένης). The force of the preposition is intensive, or possibly pointing to him from whom the action proceeds; bold of himself: The simple verb means primarily to dare, and implies the manifestation of that boldness or conf…
cambridgeRomans 10:20: "But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me."
20 . But Esaias is very bold ] Moses had not specified how the heathen should be the cause of jealousy and anger to Israel. But Isaiah says, in so many words, that they shall find and know God, and so become His people. I was found , &c.] Isaiah 65:1 ; almost verbatim with LXX., but the two clauses are inverted; perhaps to emphasize the decisive word…
The verse highlights that God's initiative in revealing Himself was so profound that He "was found" by those who weren't even looking for Him, emphasizing His proactive grace reaching beyond expectations, not that seeking Him isn't ultimately part of the journey. This bold declaration underscores that God actively made Himself known, reversing the typical human pursuit of the divine.
Paul is building on his argument that God's promise to Israel was meant to ultimately bring salvation to all people, including Gentiles. He’s just quoted Moses about how Israel's pursuit of a righteousness based on law would lead to stumbling, while Gentiles who weren't even looking for righteousness would find it through faith. To further prove that God’s plan included Gentiles from the very beginning, Paul turns to the prophet Isaiah, who boldly declared that God made himself known to people who weren't even looking for him.
Paul is building on his argument that God's promise to Israel was meant to ultimately bring salvation to all people, including Gentiles. He’s just quoted Moses about how Israel's pursuit of a righteousness based on law would lead to stumbling, while Gentiles who weren't even looking for righteousness would find it through faith. To further prove that God’s plan included Gentiles from the very beginning, Paul turns to the prophet Isaiah, who boldly declared that God made himself known to people who weren't even looking for him.
"Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contra…" — The verse highlights that God's initiative in revealing Himself was so profound that He "was found" by those who weren't even looking for Him, emphasizing His proactive grace reaching beyond expectat…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.