But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Parallel translations
- WEB But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
- BSB But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
- NKJV But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
- NASB However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
- NLT But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Not all who heard the good news obeyed it, just as Isaiah lamented that few believed his report. Gospel proclamation does not guarantee acceptance.
Overview
Paul acknowledges a hard reality: hearing the gospel does not always lead to belief. Citing Isaiah 53:1, he notes that even the prophet found few who accepted his message. This explains Israel's unbelief without faulting the gospel or its messengers; the problem lies in human hearts that reject the word. Yet, as Paul affirms next, the saving word has indeed gone out, leaving the unbelieving without excuse.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Isa 53:1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
- Rom 3:3For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
- John 12:38–40That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
- Heb 4:2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
- 2 Th 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- Gal 5:7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
- 1 Pet 2:8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
- Rom 6:17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
- Heb 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
- Heb 11:8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
- Rom 2:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
- Rom 11:17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
- Acts 28:24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
- Isa 50:10Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
- Rom 16:26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
- Rom 1:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
- 1 Pet 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
- Gal 3:1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
- 1 Pet 3:1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
- John 10:26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
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Original language
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