“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”
My Notes
What Does Romans 10:16 Mean?
Paul acknowledges a painful reality: not everyone who heard the gospel obeyed it. He quotes Isaiah 53:1: "Lord, who hath believed our report?" The question is rhetorical and its expected answer is devastating: almost no one. Isaiah predicted a Servant whose message would be rejected. And it was.
The word "obeyed" (hypakouō — to hear under, to submit to what's heard) is stronger than "believed." Paul uses obedience language for the gospel because faith isn't just mental assent. It's submission. The gospel demands a response. Failure to respond isn't neutral. It's disobedience.
Isaiah's question from seven centuries earlier anticipates exactly what Paul sees: the gospel is preached. The report goes out. And most people don't believe. The prophetic expectation of rejection doesn't soften it. It just proves that the rejection was always part of the story.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does Paul's use of 'obeyed' (not just 'believed') change how you understand what the gospel demands?
- 2.How do you faithfully preach when Isaiah's predicted response is 'almost no one believes'?
- 3.Where has the gospel reached your ears without reaching your obedience?
- 4.How do you handle the reality that faithful preaching doesn't guarantee receptive hearing?
Devotional
"Lord, who hath believed our report?" Isaiah asked the question seven hundred years early. Paul lived the answer.
The gospel was preached. The word went out. And not everyone obeyed. Not just "not everyone agreed" — not everyone obeyed. Paul uses obedience language because the gospel isn't an opinion to consider. It's a command to respond to. And the failure to respond isn't neutrality. It's disobedience.
Isaiah predicted this. He looked ahead to the Servant's message and saw rejection. "Who hath believed?" — the question expects a small answer. Few. Almost none. The Suffering Servant would come, the report would go out, and most ears would remain closed.
Paul lived in the fulfillment of that prediction. He preached across the Roman Empire. Some believed. Many didn't. And the rejection wasn't because the message was unclear or the evidence insufficient. It was because the gospel demands submission, and submission is the hardest thing a human being can offer.
"Our report" — the preaching, the testimony, the declaration of what God has done through Christ. It goes out. It reaches ears. It presents evidence. And the hearer has a choice: obey or refuse. And according to both Isaiah and Paul, most refuse.
This doesn't mean the preaching is pointless. It means the preaching is faithful regardless of results. Isaiah's question doesn't say "why bother reporting?" It says: the report goes out, and the response is God's responsibility, not the preacher's.
Preach the report. The believing is between the hearer and God.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But they have not all obeyed the Gospel,.... Who hear it, and to whom it is preached; for though ministers may be…
But they have not all obeyed the gospel - It is not easy to see the connection of this; and it has been made a question…
But they have not all obeyed the Gospel - This seems to be the objection of a Jew; as if he had said: A Divine mission…
The first words express the design of the apostle through these verses, that there is no difference between Jews and…
But they have not all obeyed the gospel i.e. the gospel, or good tidings, just specified; that of "peace." Here St Paul…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture