But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
ROMANS 15:21KJVWhat does Romans 15:21 mean?
Romans 15:21 says that people who had never heard about God or His message would come to see and understand it. Paul is explaining that the message of Christ is reaching new people who were not previously told about Him.
Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, explaining his mission to spread the gospel to places where it has not yet been preached. He quotes from the Old Testament to show that it was always part of God's plan for those who had not heard about Him to eventually understand and believe. This verse highlights Paul's commitment to reaching people who have not yet received the message about Jesus.
The Greek behind Romans 15:21
- "ὄψονται" (opsontai, G3700): This word means "they shall see." The Greek carries the sense of perceiving or understanding something for the first time, emphasizing that these people will truly grasp what is being revealed.
- "συνήσουσιν" (synēsousin, G4920): This word means "they shall understand." It often refers to putting things together in the mind, suggesting a deep or real comprehension, not just hearing words but grasping their meaning.
Why Romans 15:21 matters
- Romans 15:21 clears up the idea that the message of Jesus was only for those who had already heard about God; Paul shows that it was always meant to reach new people, including Gentiles.
- This verse connects Paul's mission work to the bigger story of the Bible, showing that spreading the gospel to new places fulfills ancient promises.
- It helps readers see why Paul was so focused on preaching where Christ was not yet known, rather than building on someone else’s work.