Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Romans 10:20 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 20. 20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse quotes Isaiah's bold picture of God found by people who had not sought or asked.
The proclaimed word goes out, and Scripture still pictures God's hands stretched toward Israel.
This verse is one part of that explanation in Romans 10:14–21. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Romans 10:14–21
Read Romans 10:20 with 10:14–21. This verse quotes Isaiah's bold picture of God found by people who had not sought or asked. The complete unit establishes: Paul traces the sent proclamation while Scripture explains mixed response and ends with God's long outstretched appeal.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit guards the near word from private inwardness and leads toward chapter 11's rejection of total abandonment. Within that movement, this verse quotes Isaiah's bold picture of God found by people who had not sought or asked.
What Remains True
This verse quotes Isaiah's bold picture of God found by people who had not sought or asked. This supports the unit's enduring claim: Paul traces the sent proclamation while Scripture explains mixed response and ends with God's long outstretched appeal.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Romans 10:14–21 — The Proclaimed Word Reaches Out while Israel's Response Remains ContestedSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: Romans 10:14–21, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Rom.txt, 10:14–21
Open the Romans Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - Romans with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, material variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible official Romans chapter print view, 10:14–21, translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET Romans 10 notes