Romans 15:21

Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Roman believers from Corinth, explaining his strategic plan to preach the gospel in unreached regions and noting his repeated hindrances in traveling to them.

The words — ἀνηγγέλη (anēngelē) means "it was proclaimed," and οἷς (hois) translates to "to whom." The text states that those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

The thread — The passage quotes Isaiah 52:15 regarding kings who will see what they were not told, and echoes Isaiah 65:1 about God revealing Himself to those who did not seek Him. These references establish a scriptural pattern of divine initiative reaching outside established religious boundaries.

Why it lands — The text states that gospel expansion depends on God’s revelation to outsiders rather than human foundation-building. Readers must align their ministry strategies with this pattern of reaching those who have not heard.

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

ἀλλὰallaRather καθὼςkathōseven as γέγραπται·gegraptaiit has been written:οἷςhoisTo whom οὐκouknot ἀνηγγέληanēngelēit was proclaimed περὶpericoncerning αὐτοῦautouHim ὄψονταιopsontaithey will behold καὶkaiand οἳhoithose that οὐκouknot ἀκηκόασινakēkoasinhave heard συνήσουσιν.sunēsousinwill understand.

King James Version

But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Cross-references

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.
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!’