Romans 10:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
οὐκ
G3756
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
the earth
G1093
γῆν
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
10 of 23
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φθόγγος
sound
G5353
φθόγγος
sound
Strong's:
G5353
Word #:
13 of 23
utterance, i.e., a musical note (vocal or instrumental)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκουμένης
of the world
G3625
οἰκουμένης
of the world
Strong's:
G3625
Word #:
20 of 23
land, i.e., the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the roman empire
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 19:4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.Romans 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.1 Thessalonians 1:8For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.Colossians 1:6Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Jeremiah 16:19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.Matthew 26:13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Historical Context
By AD 57 (Romans' composition), Paul had evangelized from Jerusalem to Illyricum (Rom 15:19), a massive geographic region. Peter, John, and other apostles were active. The early church multiplied rapidly (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7). Jewish communities throughout the Roman Empire heard gospel testimony in synagogues (Acts 13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:1, 10, 17; 18:4). Jews had extraordinary access to gospel witness—more than any other people group. Their rejection was therefore highly culpable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does general revelation (creation's witness) prepare hearts for special revelation (the gospel)?
- Does familiarity with the gospel breed contempt and hardness in your heart?
- How accountable are we in the modern West, where Bibles and preaching are abundant but often ignored?
Analysis & Commentary
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—Paul answers potential objection: perhaps Israel didn't hear? Menoun ge eis pasan tēn gēn exēlthen ho phtongos autōn (μενοῦν γε εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν, "Indeed, into all the earth went out their sound"). He quotes Psalm 19:4, David's praise of general revelation in creation. Phtongos (φθόγγος, "sound, tone, voice") and rhēmata (ῥήματα, "words, utterances") describe creation's wordless witness to God.
Paul's application is debated:
Either way, Paul's point stands: Israel has heard—their unbelief is willful rejection, not innocent ignorance. The widespread apostolic mission (Rom 15:19-23; Col 1:23) ensured gospel saturation.