Romans 15:21

Romans 15:21

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

a. ASV: But, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.

b. YLT: But according as it hath been written, 'To whom it was not told concerning him, they shall see; and they who have not heard, shall understand.'

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But [instead I would act on the principle] as it is written, They shall see who have never been told of Him, and they shall understand who have never heard [of Him].

1. “But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see…”

a. But [Strong: 235 allá, al-lah'; neuter plural of G243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):—and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. as [Strong: 2531 kathos kath-oce' from 2596 and 5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.]

c. [as it is] written [Strong: 1125 grapho graf'-o a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]

1). Paul here cites Isaiah 52:15 as being motivation , inspiration for preaching the gospel.

2. “...To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see…”

a. To whom [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. his [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. [was] not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

d. spoken [Strong: 312 anaggello an-ang-el'-lo from 303 and the base of 32; to announce (in detail):--declare, rehearse, report, show, speak, tell.]

e. [they] shall see [Strong: 3700 optanomai op-tan'-om-ahee, a (middle voice) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) optomai op'-tom-ahee; which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of 3708 to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from 991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from 1492, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while 2300, and still more emphatically its intensive 2334, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and 4648 a watching from a distance):--appear, look, see, shew self.]

  

2.  “...and they that have not heard shall understand.”

a. 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.]

b. they [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

c. [that have] not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

d. 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.]

e. [shall] understand [Strong: 4920 suniemi soon-ee'-ay-mee from 4862 and hiemi (to send); to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously:-- consider, understand, be wise.]

  

1). Commentary on the Jewish Roots of Romans, Joseph Shulam, Hilary Le Cornu: Paul’s proof text from Isaiah 52:15 refers to the Gentiles (kings), so that he has a direct precedent for his preaching to those who “had not been told...had not heard” of the Messiah.

a). Isaiah 52:13-15 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

2). Paul’s citation here also links the New Covenant Gospel with the great Isaiah teaching on Isaiah 52:13-53:12