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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul quotes Psalm 19:4 ('their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world') to assert that Israel has indeed heard the gospel and cannot plead ignorance. The application of a psalm about natural revelation to the proclamation of the gospel is a bold hermeneutical move, suggesting that the scope of cosmic witness to God has now been matched and exceeded by the apostolic mission. In context, the verse answers the objection 'have they not heard?' with an affirmation that God's communicative action is as universal as creation itself — a foundation for Paul's missionary urgency throughout Romans 10.
Other Translations
But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world.
but I say, Did they not hear? yes, indeed--`to all the earth their voice went forth, and to the ends of the habitable world their sayings.'
But I say, Did not the word come to their ears? Yes, certainly: Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Cross References
As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek …
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them …
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations …
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have …
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My …
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of …
The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of …
O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto …
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, …
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and …