Bible Strands
Romans 10:20
And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, inserting a quotation from Isaiah into a discussion about Israel’s unbelief. He positions this statement immediately after Moses’ warning about divine jealousy and before a final declaration of God’s persistent outreach to a disobedient people.
The words — The Greek ἀποτολμᾷ (apotolma) literally means “is very bold,” characterizing the prophet’s confident announcement. εὑρέθην (heurethēn) translates directly to “I was found,” highlighting God’s sovereign action of being discovered by those who never pursued Him.
The thread — The quotation originates in Isaiah 65:1, where God announces His outreach to uncircumcised nations. Paul echoes this theme in Romans 9:30, noting that Gentiles obtained righteousness without previously pursuing it.
Why it lands — The text states that God initiates contact with the unresponsive before any human seeking occurs. It requires readers to abandon the assumption that spiritual pursuit must precede divine revelation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 65:1 “I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’
- Romans 9:30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
- Isaiah 55:4 Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.
- Matthew 22:9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’
- Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
- Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- Isaiah 52:15 so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.
- Luke 14:23 So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
- Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.