King James Version

What Does Romans 10:16 Mean?

Romans 10:16 in the King James Version says “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? our report: Gr. the heari...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? our report: Gr. the hearing of us? report: or, preaching?”

Romans 10:16 · KJV

Faith

Context

14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? our report: Gr. the hearing of us? report: or, preaching?

17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?—All' ou pantes hypēkousan tō euangeliō (ἀλλ' οὐ πάντες ὑπήκουσαν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ, "But not all obeyed the gospel"). Hypakouō (ὑπακούω, "obey, submit to, heed") treats gospel-belief as obedience (cf. Rom 1:5; 16:26, "obedience of faith"). Faith is not mere intellectual acknowledgment but willing submission to Christ's lordship. The gospel is not advice to consider but a royal summons to obey (2 Thess 1:8; 1 Pet 4:17).

Paul quotes Isaiah 53:1, Kyrie, tis episteusen tē akoē hēmōn? (κύριε, τίς ἐπίστευσεν τῇ ἀκοῇ ἡμῶν; "Lord, who has believed our report/message?"). Isaiah's Suffering Servant prophecy was largely rejected by Israel—the supreme irony that the Messiah's glory came through suffering. Akoē (ἀκοή) means "hearing, report, message"—the content heard. Paul applies this to gospel-rejection: Israel's prophesied rejection of Messiah continues in rejecting the gospel. This softens the tragedy (it was prophesied) but intensifies responsibility (they are without excuse).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 52:13-53:12, the fourth Servant Song, prophesied Messiah's vicarious suffering for sin. First-century Judaism largely did not expect a suffering Messiah—they awaited a conquering warrior-king. Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53 precisely (Matt 8:17; 1 Pet 2:24-25), but "we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God" (Isa 53:4). The early church extensively used Isaiah 53 to prove Jesus' Messiahship from Torah (Acts 8:32-35). Jewish rejection of crucified Messiah was the stumbling block (1 Cor 1:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you "obeyed the gospel" or merely acknowledged it intellectually without life-transformation?
  2. Why do you think the gospel message is rejected by so many who hear it clearly?
  3. How does understanding faith as obedience shape your view of nominal Christianity and lordless conversion?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
Ἀλλ1 of 15

“But”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

οὐ2 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

πάντες3 of 15

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑπήκουσαν4 of 15

“obeyed”

G5219

to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority

τῷ5 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εὐαγγελίῳ6 of 15

“the gospel”

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

Ἠσαΐας7 of 15

“Esaias”

G2268

hesaias (i.e., jeshajah), an israelite

γὰρ8 of 15

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

λέγει9 of 15

“saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Κύριε10 of 15

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τίς11 of 15

“who”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐπίστευσεν12 of 15

“hath believed”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

τῇ13 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκοῇ14 of 15

“report”

G189

hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)

ἡμῶν15 of 15

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 10:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 10:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 53:1Romans 3:3John 12:38-40Hebrews 4:22 Thessalonians 1:8Galatians 5:7

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Romans 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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