Romans Chapter 15 Vs. 21

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. Rom 15:21

it is written... (Is a quote from Isaiah 52:15). That Old Testament quotation refers primarily to Christ’s second coming, but in its broader application it refers to the process of evangelism that began in Paul’s day and continues throughout church history until Christ returns.

To whom he... The 19th and last prophecy in Romans (Rom. 15:21; Isa. 52:15). Again here, Paul is saying that the people he went to, had no other disciples bringing them the salvation message.

they that have... These you might say had been heathen people. Paul tried his best to bring this message to his Jewish brothers, but they rejected his message. Of course, there were exceptions to that, but as a whole, they did not receive him.

The Gentiles were the ones who received Paul and his message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many churches, like the church at Philippi, owe their beginning to Paul’s teaching.

This reference to the geographical extent of his ministry (Rom. 15:19) led Paul to declare something of his philosophy of outreach: It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known (lit., “named”). Paul purposed to be a true pioneer evangelist, opening virgin territory to the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.