Romans 15:21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

◄ Romans 15:21 ►

New International Version
Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

New Living Translation
I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.”

English Standard Version
but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

Berean Standard Bible
Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

Berean Literal Bible
Rather, as it has been written: "They will see, to whom it was not proclaimed concerning Him; and those who have not heard will understand."

King James Bible
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

New King James Version
but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

New American Standard Bible
but just as it is written: “THEY WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT HIM WILL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD WILL UNDERSTAND.”

NASB 1995
but as it is written, “THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

NASB 1977
but as it is written, “THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

Legacy Standard Bible
but as it is written, “THEY WHO HAD NO DECLARATION OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

Amplified Bible
but [instead I would act on this goal] as it is written [in Scripture], “THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD [of Him] SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

Christian Standard Bible
but, as it is written, Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but, as it is written: Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

American Standard Version
but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.

Contemporary English Version
It is just as the Scriptures say, "All who haven't been told about him will see him, and those who haven't heard about him will understand."

English Revised Version
but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As Scripture says, "Those who were never told about him will see, and those who never heard will understand."

Good News Translation
As the scripture says, "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

International Standard Version
Rather, as it is written, "Those who were never told about him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."

Majority Standard Bible
Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

NET Bible
but as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

New Heart English Bible
But, as it is written, "Those who were not told about him, they will see, and those who have not heard, they will understand."

Webster's Bible Translation
But as it is written, They shall see to whom he was not spoken of: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as Scripture says, "Those shall see, to whom no report about Him has hitherto come, and those who until now have not heard shall understand."

World English Bible
But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
but according as it has been written: “To whom it was not told concerning Him, they will see; and they who have not heard, will understand.”

Berean Literal Bible
Rather, as it has been written: "They will see, to whom it was not proclaimed concerning Him; and those who have not heard will understand."

Young's Literal Translation
but according as it hath been written, 'To whom it was not told concerning him, they shall see; and they who have not heard, shall understand.'

Smith's Literal Translation
But as has been written, to whom it was not announced of him, they shall see: and they who have not heard shall understand.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But as it is written: They to whom he was not spoken of, shall see, and they that have not heard shall understand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
but just as it was written: “Those to whom he was not announced shall perceive, and those who have not heard shall understand.”

New American Bible
but as it is written: “Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”

New Revised Standard Version
but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But as it is written, Those to whom he was never mentioned, they shall see him: and those who have not heard of him, they shall be made obedient.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But just as it is written: “Those who had not been told about him shall see him, and those who have not heard shall be convinced.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
but, as it is written: They to whom he was not preached, shall see; and they who have not heard, shall understand.

Godbey New Testament
but, as has been written, Those, to whom he has not been preached, shall see concerning him, and they who have not heard shall understand.

Haweis New Testament
but as it is written, “To whom the tidings concerning him have not reached, they shall see, and they who have not heard, shall understand.”

Mace New Testament
as it is written, "they to whom he was not mentioned, shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand."

Weymouth New Testament
But, as Scripture says, "Those shall see, to whom no report about Him has hitherto come, and those who until now have not heard shall understand."

Worrell New Testament
but, as it has been written, "Those shall see, to whom nothing was announced concerning Him; and those who have not heard shall understand."

Worsley New Testament
but as it is written, They, to whom nothing was said concerning Him, shall see, and they who have not heard, shall understand.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
…20In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” 22That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 52:15
so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

1 Peter 1:12
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Isaiah 65:1
“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’

1 Corinthians 2:9
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Colossians 1:25-27
I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, / the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Acts 26:17-18
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

2 Corinthians 10:16
so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.

Ephesians 3:5-6
which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. / This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Acts 28:28
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

Isaiah 42:1-4
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. / He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. ...

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Treasury of Scripture

But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Isaiah 52:15
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 65:1
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

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Romans 15

1. The strong must bear with the weak.
2. We must not please ourselves;
3. for Christ did not so;
7. but receive one another, as Christ did us all;
8. both Jews and Gentiles;
15. Paul excuses his writing;
28. and promises to see them;
30. and requests their prayers.

Berean Study Bible

Rather, as it is written
This phrase introduces a quotation from the Old Testament, specifically from Isaiah 52:15. The use of "rather" indicates a contrast with the previous verses, where Paul discusses his ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known. The phrase "as it is written" underscores the authority of Scripture, showing Paul's reliance on the prophetic word to validate his mission. In the Greek, "as it is written" (καθὼς γέγραπται) is a common formula used by New Testament writers to reference the Old Testament, emphasizing the continuity and fulfillment of God's plan through Christ.

Those who were not told about Him
This phrase highlights the outreach to the Gentiles, who were not part of the original covenant people of Israel. The Greek word for "told" (ἀνηγγέλη) implies a formal announcement or proclamation. Historically, the Gentiles were outside the scope of the Jewish religious teachings, yet God's plan always included them. This reflects the inclusivity of the gospel, breaking down barriers and extending salvation beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries.

will see
The verb "will see" (ὄψονται) in Greek suggests more than just physical sight; it implies perception and understanding. In a spiritual sense, it denotes the revelation of Christ to those who were previously in darkness. This seeing is a divine act, where God opens the eyes of the spiritually blind, fulfilling the prophetic vision of enlightenment and salvation for all nations.

and those who have not heard
This phrase parallels the previous one, emphasizing the lack of prior exposure to the message of Christ. The Greek word for "heard" (ἀκηκόασιν) indicates not just the act of hearing but also the reception and comprehension of a message. Historically, the Gentiles were not recipients of the Law or the Prophets, yet through the gospel, they are now included in God's redemptive plan.

will understand
The Greek word for "understand" (συνήσουσιν) conveys the idea of putting together, comprehending, or grasping the truth. This understanding is a result of divine revelation and the work of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the hearts and minds of believers. It signifies a deep, transformative knowledge that leads to faith and obedience. In the broader biblical context, this understanding fulfills the promise of God to reveal Himself to all people, demonstrating His desire for a relationship with humanity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) To whom . . .--From the LXX. of Isaiah 52:15. The original has reference to the servant of Jehovah, first suffering and then glorified, so that kings should be dumb with astonishment at the change. Here it is applied to the evangelisation of distant heathen nations.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 21-24. - But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand (Isaiah 52:15, as in the LXX. The passage is Messianic; but St. Paul need be understood to be quoting it as predictive or directive of the rule he follows. Enough if it expresses his meaning well). For which cause also I have been much hindered (or, was for the most part, or many times hindered) from coming to you. The hindrance had been, mainly at least, as is evident from Δὼ (ver. 22), the obligation he was under of completing his ministry in the first place in other quarters (see on Romans 1:13). But now having no longer place in these regions (i.e., according to the context, there being no additional sphere for my activity there. He had now planted the gospel in all the principal centres, leaving disciples and converts, and probably an ordained ministry, to carry on the work and extend it in the regions round. In this his proper apostolic work consisted; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14-17), and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I hope to see you on my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. The sense of this verse is no way affected by the omission of "I will come unto you," which authorities are against retaining. If "for," after this omission, be retained, the sentence is incomplete, as St. Paul's sometimes are. The omission of "for" (for which there is some little authority) leaves the sentence improved. The apostle's selection of Spain as his next intended sphere of labour might be due to the notoriety of that Roman province, and the facility of communication with it by sea. His omission of Italy, except for a passing visit, is accounted for by his principle, already enunciated, of not building on other men's foundation, there being already a flourishing Church at any rate at Rome. He hoped, as appears from this verse, that some of the members of it might join him in his mission to Spain. For the word προπεμφθῆναι would imply their going all the way in the case of a sea-voyage. For the use of the word, cf. Acts 15:3; Acts 20:38; Acts 21:5; 1 Corinthians 16:6; 2 Corinthians 1:16. Observe the characteristic courtesy of the concluding clause, which is literally, "should I be first in part" (i.e. not as much as I should wish, but to such extent as my short stay with you will allow) "filled with you," i.e. enjoy you.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Rather,
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

it is written:
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

“Those who
οἷς (hois)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

were not told
ἀνηγγέλη (anēngelē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 312: To bring back word, report; I announce, declare. From ana and the base of aggelos; to announce.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

Him
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

will see,
Ὄψονται (Opsontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

those who
οἳ (hoi)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

have not heard
ἀκηκόασιν (akēkoasin)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

will understand.”
συνήσουσιν (synēsousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.

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NT Letters: Romans 15:21 But as it is written They will (Rom. Ro)