But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "stretching out of hands" isn't just a casual gesture, but a picture of God's persistent plea and outstretched welcome, like a father yearning for his wayward child. This emphasizes not just Israel's rebellion, but God's continuous, patient outreach towards them despite their "disobedient and contrary" nature.
But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is arguing that salvation is for everyone, Gentiles included, even though Israel, God's chosen people, largely rejected him. He's just shown how the Gentiles have heard and responded to the message of salvation. Now, he turns to Israel, quoting Isaiah to illustrate God's persistent, loving outreach to a people who continually turned away from him, setting the stage for their eventual rejection and the embrace of the Gentiles.
Have you ever felt God's persistent call, even when you've strayed? This verse paints a vivid picture of God's longing for connection.
Paul quotes Isaiah to show God's unwavering posture towards Israel. "Stretched out my hands" isn't a gesture of defeat, but of invitation and a yearning to embrace.
A Relentless Pursuit
This imagery reveals a God who doesn't give up easily, whose heart aches for relationship, and who actively pursues those who are distant.
What does it mean to be 'disobedient and contrary'? This verse doesn't just describe actions, but a deep-seated rebellion.
The terms "disobedient" and "contrary" (or "gainsaying") describe Israel's persistent refusal to heed God's call. It wasn't a simple lack of understanding, but an active resistance.
Understanding the Resistance
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These words together paint a picture of a people who not only failed to obey but actively fought against God's outstretched hand and message. This ongoing rebellion grieves God and ultimately leads to His judgment.
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 uses Isaiah's words to highlight God's enduring patience and Israel's repeated rejection. It shows that even in the face of persistent outreach and gracious invitation, human stubbornness can lead to profound spiritual blindness and missed opportunities for salvation.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
The prophet Isaiah delivers God's message to Israel, including the words God would later speak through him: 'All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.' This prophecy addresses Israel's persistent rebellion against God.
c. 605 BC - 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Many Israelites are deported to Babylon, marking a period of national crisis and judgment. This event underscores the consequences of Israel's long-standing disobedience against God's persistent outreach.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Despite God's faithfulness in restoring them, a tendency towards disobedience remains.
c. 30 AD
Ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus
John the Baptist and Jesus preach a message of repentance and the coming Kingdom of God. Many in Israel reject their message and ministry, fulfilling the prophetic description of a disobedient people.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
The Jewish leadership and a significant portion of the people reject and crucify Jesus, the Messiah. This event represents the peak of Israel's 'contrary' response to God's outstretched hand.
c. 40-60 AD
Apostolic Ministry
The apostles, including Paul, continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, first to the Jews. Despite their persistent efforts, many Jews reject the message, leading Paul to turn more fully to the Gentiles.
This is the direct Old Testament passage that Paul is quoting, showing God's perspective on Israel's persistent rebellion throughout their history.
Jeremiah 7:13This passage in Jeremiah similarly highlights God's persistent warnings and entreaties to Israel, underscoring the 'all day long' aspect of God's outstretched hand.
Proverbs 1:24This proverb describes God stretching out His hand and no one listening, mirroring the sentiment in Romans 10:21 of an ignored call and persistent, unheeded invitation.
Luke 13:34Jesus expresses a similar sorrowful longing to gather Jerusalem, comparing Himself to a hen wanting to protect her brood, which parallels God's outstretched hands in Romans 10:21 seeking a people who refuse to come.
Deuteronomy 32:21This passage speaks of God being provoked by 'a no-people' and a 'foolish nation,' reflecting the theme of God turning from a disobedient people to call others, as implied by the context of Romans 10.
cambridgeRomans 10:21: "But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."
21 . to Israel ] Better, with respect to Israel . All day long , &c.] Isaiah 65:2 ; verbatim with LXX., but with slight variation of order of words.—The phrase is parallel to “rising up early and sending,” ( Jeremiah 7:13 ; Jeremiah 7:25 , &c.,) and wonderfully describes the Divine perseverance. stretched forth my hands ] In entreaty and welcome. Cp. Proverbs 1:24 . dis…
gillRomans 10:21: "But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."
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. Mose…
The "stretching out of hands" isn't just a casual gesture, but a picture of God's persistent plea and outstretched welcome, like a father yearning for his wayward child. This emphasizes not just Israel's rebellion, but God's continuous, patient outreach towards them despite their "disobedient and contrary" nature.
Paul is arguing that salvation is for everyone, Gentiles included, even though Israel, God's chosen people, largely rejected him. He's just shown how the Gentiles have heard and responded to the message of salvation. Now, he turns to Israel, quoting Isaiah to illustrate God's persistent, loving outreach to a people who continually turned away from him, setting the stage for their eventual rejection and the embrace of the Gentiles.
Paul is arguing that salvation is for everyone, Gentiles included, even though Israel, God's chosen people, largely rejected him. He's just shown how the Gentiles have heard and responded to the message of salvation. Now, he turns to Israel, quoting Isaiah to illustrate God's persistent, loving outreach to a people who continually turned away from him, setting the stage for their eventual rejection and the embrace of the Gentiles.
"But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”" — The "stretching out of hands" isn't just a casual gesture, but a picture of God's persistent plea and outstretched welcome, like a father yearning for his wayward child. This emphasizes not just Isra…
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Last reviewed October 2026