Romans 10:21 (WEB)

Passage

But as to Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”Isaiah 65:2

Nearby Context

Romans 10:19 But I ask, didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, “I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, with a nation void of understanding I will make you angry.”Deuteronomy 32:31

Romans 10:20 Isaiah is very bold, and says, “I was found by those who didn’t seek me. I was revealed to those who didn’t ask for me.”Isaiah 65:1

Romans 10:21 But as to Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”Isaiah 65:2

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "israel", "says", "long", "stretched", "hands", "disobedient", "contrary", and "people". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "israel" and "says", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "Isaiah is very bold and says I...", giving immediate footing for "israel" and "says". In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "israel" and "says" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.