Romans 10:21

But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. BUT TO, [ pros (G4314) to (G3588)] - rather, 'But with regard to' ISRAEL HE SAITH, ALL DAY ('ALL THE DAY') LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT ('DID I STRETCH FORTH') MY HANDS (THE ATTITUDE OF GRACIOUS ENTREATY) UNTO A DISOBEDIENT AND GAINSAYING PEOPLE. These words, which immediately follow the announcement just quoted of the calling of the Gentiles, were enough to forewarn the Jews both of God's purpose to eject them from their privileges, in favour of the Gentiles, and of the cause of it on their own part. Remarks: (1) Mere sincerity, and even earnestness in religion-though it may be some ground of hope for a merciful recovery from error...

21._But of Israel, etc. _A reason is subjoined why God passed over to the Gentiles; it was because he saw that his favor was become a mockery to the Jews. But that readers may more fully understand that the blindness of the people is pointed out in the second clause, Paul expressly reminds us that the elect people were charged with their own wickedness. Literally it is, “He says to Israel;” but Paul has imitated the Hebrew idiom; for ל, _lamed, _is often put for מן, men. And he says, that to Israel he stretched forth his hands, whom he continually by his word invited to himself, and ceased not to allure by every sort of kindness; for these are the two ways which he adopts to call men, as he thus proves his goodwill towards them. However, he chiefly complains of the contempt shown to his truth; which is the more abominable, as the more remarkable is the manner by which G

18-21 Did not the Jews know that the Gentiles were to be called in? They might have known it from Moses and Isaiah. Isaiah speaks plainly of the grace and favour of God, as going before in the receiving of the Gentiles. Was not this our own case? Did not God begin in love, and make himself known to us when we did not ask after him? The patience of God towards provoking sinners is wonderful. The time of God's patience is called a day, light as day, and fit for work and business; but limited as a day, and there is a night at the end of it. God's patience makes man's disobedience worse, and renders that the more sinful. We may wonder at the mercy of God, that his goodness is not overcome by man's badness; we may wonder at the wickedness of man, that his badness is not overcome by God's goodness. And it is a matter of joy to think that God has sent the message of grace to so many millions, b...

Verse Romans 10:21. _BUT TO ISRAEL HE SAITH_] In the very next verse, (Isaiah 65:2,) _All day long have I stretched forth my hands_, manifesting the utmost readiness and willingness to gather them all together under my protecting care; but _I stretched forth my hands_ in vain, for they are a _disobedient and gainsaying people_. They not only disobey my command, but they gainsay and contradict my prophets. Thus the apostle proves, in answer to the objection made Romans 10:16, that the _infidelity_ of the Jews was the effect of their own _obstinacy_; that the opposition which they are now making to the Gospel was foretold and deplored 700 years before; and that their opposition, far from being a...

BUT TO ISRAEL HE SAITH - The preceding quotation established the doctrine that the Gentiles were to be called. But there was still an important part of his argument remaining - that the Jews were to be rejected. This he proceeds to establish; and he here, in the language of Isaiah Isaiah 65:2, says that while the Gentiles would be obedient, the character of the Jews was, that they were a disobedient and rebellious people. ALL DAY LONG - Continually, without intermission; implying that their acts of rebellion were not momentary; but that this was the established character of the people. I HAVE STRETCHED FORTH MY HANDS - This denotes an attitude of entreaty; a willingness and earnest desire to receive them to favor; to invite and entreat;...

EXPOSITION In this chapter the view of the whole subject introduced at Romans 9:30 is continued and carried out, according to which the present rejection of the Jews as a nation is traced to no absolute and irreversible Divine decree, but to their own refusal to accept God's plan of mercy to all mankind; testimonies being, as usual, adduced from the Old Testament in support of the argument. But, before proceeding, the apostle renews expression of his regret (cf. Romans 9:1, _seq._)_ _at the present position of his countrymen, and his earnest desire that it should be otherwise. ROMANS 10:1 BRETHREN, MY HEART'S DESIRE (εὐδοκία, expressing _good will_)

BUT TO ISRAEL HE SAITH,.... Or against Israel, or concerning Israel he saith in the same prophecy in Isaiah 65:2. ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED FORTH MY HANDS, UNTO A DISOBEDIENT AND GAINSAYING PEOPLE: very rightly does the apostle apply these words to Israel, as he does the former to the Gentiles; and just in like manner does the above mentioned Jewish writer, R. Moses the priest, interpret them. The Lord's "stretching out [his] hands all the day long" to them, designs the ministry of the prophets one after another to them, the preaching of John the Baptist, of Christ and his apostles among them: but they were a stiffnecked and rebellious people, uncircumcised in heart and ears; would have none of his counsel, and despised his reproof; contradicted and blasphemed the word; rejected the Messiah and his Gospel; killed the Prince of life, and persecuted his apostles; so that i

Romans 10:1. _Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved._ Desire is the mother and the soul of prayer «my heart's desire and prayer.» These Israelites had hunted Paul about, and sought to kill him. They were his deadly enemies; but the only return he made them was to pray that they might be saved. I hope you will never have a worse wish for your worst foe. Romans 10:2. _For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge._ Always see all the good that is to be seen; and, when you have to reprove and rebuke begin by admitting what is good: «They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.» Romans 10:

CHAPTER 10 _ 1. Israel's Condition. (Romans 10:1 .)_ 2. Righteousness by Works and by Faith. (Romans 10:5 .) 3. The Gospel Published Abroad. (Romans 10:14 .) 4. Israel's Unbelief. (Romans 10:18 .) Romans 10:1 For His beloved people Israel the great apostle of the Gentiles prayed to God, that they might be saved. What an example he has given to us believers of the Gentiles. We owe a great debt to Israel; but how little prayer there is among Gentile Christians for the salvation of the Jews! Paul bears witness th

THE REJECTORS OF GOD'S MESSAGE. Romans 10:16. Hearing the glad tidings is the opportunity of salvation: can it be that they did not hear? Nay, surely, the sound has reached every land. Not hearing, but _obedience_ was to seek. Romans 10:19. Or should we put it that Israel did not know? the double I say (Romans 10:18 f.) marks the repetition of the same question in another form: to know is to hear understandingly (see Romans 10:2; _cf._ Matthew 13:14 f.). _Israel_ should have known (_cf._...