Romans 10:18

Romans 10:18

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.

a. NLT: But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have: “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”

b. NIV: But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

c. YLT: 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.'

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But I ask, Have they not heard? Indeed they have; [for the Scripture says] Their voice [that of nature bearing God’s message] has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the far bounds of the world.

e. Worrell Translation: But I say, did they not hear? Yes, verily, “Their sound went into all the earth, and their wordst to the ends of the inhabited earth.”

f. Wuest Translation: But I say, did they not hear? Most certainly, Into all the earth their sound went out, and into the extremities of the inhabited earth, their words.

1. “But I say, Have they not heard?...”

a. But [Strong: 235 alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. I say [Strong: 3004 lego leg'-o a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

c. Have they…heard [Strong: 191 akouo ak-oo'-o a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.]

d. not [Strong: 3378 me ouk may ook i.e. 3361 and 3756; as interrogative and negative, is it not that?:--neither (followed by no), + never, not.]

2. “…Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

a. Yes verily [Strong: 3304 menounge men-oon'-geh from 3203 and 3767 and 1065; so then at least:--nay but, yea doubtless (rather, verily).]

b. their [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. sound [Strong: 5353 phthoggos ftong'-gos from 5350; utterance, i.e. a musical note (vocal or instrumental):--sound.]

d. went [Strong: 1831 exerchomai ex-er'-khom-ahee from 1537 and 2064; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.]

e. into [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

1). In particular “their sound” the sound of their words.

f. all [3956 * pas] Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

g. the earth [1093 * ge][Strong: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.

h. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

i. their [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

j. words [4487 rhema hray'-mah from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.] [Zodhiates: That which is spoken, a statement, word.] [W.E. Vine: The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.]

1). Dr. Charles Farah, Jr. Professor of Theology at ORU [This reference is from the 1980’s]: The Logos tends to be universal, while the Rhema is often used as a particular…the Logos is eternal, while the Rhema is often contemporary…It is a word a man takes action on; a personal word he hears…”The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart…” Romans 10:8. Here the word Rhema is used, and I believe, though not all scholars would agree, that Paul is saying this: Because the word is in your heart, it is necessary to use the word Rhema rather than the Logos, because God’s word has become a personal word to you.

k. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

l. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

m. ends [4009 * peras][Strong: an extremity:--end, ut-(ter-)most participle]

n. of the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their 

inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

o. world [3625 * oikoumene] [Strong: land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire:--earth, world.][Thayer: the inhabited earth.]

1). This all becomes more intriguing when we see Romans 10:18 is a reference to Psalm 19:4, the whole passage being Psalm 19:1-6. When we compare the two we see that Paul is saying that the revelation given by the heavens in declaring the glory of God was a “rhema” word given to those who saw it. In the creation of the heavens mankind of all ages can see the “eternal power and Godhead” of God. There was though, another revelation given that included the whole plan of redemption revealed in the signs of the Zodiac and given to the culture immediately after the flood, intending to build the faith of God in those who “read/heard” it. This matches very well with the descent of man recorded in Romans 1:18-32.

a). Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.

19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shewth knowledge.

19:3 There is no speech nor language where there voice is not heard.

19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he hath set a tabernacle for the sun,

19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth to run a race.

19:6 His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

2). The Witness Of The Stars, E. W. Bullinger: In Romans 1:19 it is declare that, “that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” But how was God known? How were His “invisible things,” i.e., His plans, His purposes, and His counsels, known since the creation of the world? We are told by the Holy Spirit in Romans 10:18. Having stated in v. 17 that “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word (rhema, the things spoken, sayings) of God,” He asks, “But  I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily.” And we may ask, How have they heard? The answer follows, “Their sound went into all the earth and their words (rhema, their teaching, message, instruction) unto the ends of the world”. What words? What instruction? Whose message? Whose teaching? There is only one answer, and that is THE HEAVENS! This is settled by the fact that the passage is quoted from Psalm 19. The first part of which is occupied with the Revelation of God written in the Heavens, and the latter part which the Revelation of God in the Word.