Romans 10:21
ESV
But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."
NIV
But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."
NASB
But as for Israel, He says, 'I HAVE SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL DAY LONG TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.'
CSB
But to Israel he says, All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and defiant people.
NLT
But regarding Israel, God said, 'All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.'
KJV
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
NKJV
But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”
What does Romans 10:21 mean?
Romans 10 concludes with this poignant verse. Paul's quotation of Isaiah 65:2 here follows his reference to Isaiah 65:1 in the previous verse. God describes Himself as patiently holding out His hands to welcome His people Israel once they turn around and come back to Him. God describes Israel as a disobedient and contrary people.Their disobedience at this moment in history was not like the disobedience described in Isaiah 65. That disobedience included directly breaking God's commands in the law. The disobedience Paul describes now, though, is a refusal to obey the gospel of Jesus (Romans 10:16).
Faith in Christ is more than an opportunity to be declared righteous by God. It is His command. Israel said no. This, in fact, is the root cause of all unbelief: a deliberate choice to disobey, reject, or ignore what God has told us (Romans 1:18–20; John 5:39–40; John 7:17).
Still, as this verse says, God is waiting. Paul's prayer for Israel was that her people would turn, repent, and believe (Romans 10:1).
