Devine Scripture

Romans 10:18

What does Romans 10:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 10:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 10:18 means

Anticipating an objection, Paul asks, “Did they not hear?” He answers, “Yea, verily,” citing the universal reach of a proclaimed message: “Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” The point is not that every individual has heard, but that the message of God has gone forth extensively, making Israel’s ignorance inexcusable. God ensured a witness. In the context of the gospel’s spread, Israel cannot claim lack of opportunity. The problem is not silence from God but unwillingness to receive what has been sounded forth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But I say, Did not the word come to their ears? Yes, certainly: Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but I say, Did they not hear? yes, indeed--`to all the earth their voice went forth, and to the ends of the habitable world their sayings.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, verily: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the whole world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I say, Have they not heard? Yea, surely, Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the extremities of the habitable world.

Context

Having asserted that faith comes by hearing (v. 17), Paul denies that Israel’s unbelief stems from a failure of proclamation. Verse 18 affirms that a wide-reaching witness exists. Verse 19 will then ask whether Israel failed to understand, answering from Moses that God would provoke them by a “no nation.” Verses 20–21 will show that Gentiles responded while Israel resisted. Thus, verse 18 advances the argument: the issue is not lack of hearing but refusal to heed.

v.17So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

v.18This passage

v.19But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding will I anger you.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 2:5

    Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

  • Isaiah 24:16

    From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous. But I said, I pine away, I pine away, woe is me! the treacherous have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

  • Matthew 26:13

    Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

  • Jeremiah 16:19

    O Jehovah, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, unto thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, even vanity and things wherein there is no profit.

  • Matthew 24:14

    And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

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