1
Ἀδελφοί, ἡ μὲν εὐδοκία τῆς ἐμῆς καρδίας καὶ ἡ δέησις πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν εἰς σωτηρίαν.
Brothers, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
The section resumes Paul's pastoral love (9:1–3): his heart's longing and prayer is that his fellow Israelites be saved.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἈδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of direct addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; warm address (cf. 9:3; here fellow believers).
ἡtheNominativearticle
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν, emphatic)μέν: here lightly emphatic, perhaps anticipating the unstated contrast with Israel's present state.
εὐδοκίαdesire/good pleasureNominativesubjectεὐδοκία: 'good pleasure, desire, delight' (εὖ + δοκέω); Paul's heartfelt longing.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐμῆςmyGenitivepossessive adjective
καρδίαςheartGenitivegenitive of sourceκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of the longing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
δέησιςprayer/petitionNominativesubject (coordinate)δέησις: 'petition, supplication' (cf. δέομαι, 1:10); earnest request to God.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativeobject of πρός
ὑπὲρfor/on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ'them' — Israel, his kinsmen (9:3).
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (goal)
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)σωτηρία: 'salvation' (cf. 1:16); the aim of his prayer for Israel.
2
μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὅτι ζῆλον θεοῦ ἔχουσιν, ἀλλ' οὐ κατ' ἐπίγνωσιν·
For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Paul's sympathetic diagnosis: Israel genuinely has zeal for God — but it is misinformed, lacking true knowledge.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
μαρτυρῶI testifyPres Act Indic 1 Sg · μαρτυρέωmain verb→ customary presentμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify' (cf. 3:21); Paul vouches for their sincerity.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτοῖςabout themDativedat. of reference
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ζῆλονzealAccusativedirect objectζῆλος: 'zeal, ardor, jealousy' (cf. 'zealot'); Israel's passionate devotion — Paul knew it firsthand (Phil 3:6).
θεοῦfor GodGenitiveobjective genitiveθεός: God; the object of their zeal.
ἔχουσινthey havePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
κατ'according topreposition + accusative (norm)
ἐπίγνωσινknowledgeAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)ἐπίγνωσις: 'full knowledge, recognition' (ἐπί-intensive of γνῶσις; cf. 1:28; 3:20); their zeal lacks true understanding of God's way.
3
ἀγνοοῦντες γὰρ τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην, καὶ τὴν ἰδίαν ζητοῦντες στῆσαι, τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐχ ὑπετάγησαν·
For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
The fatal substitution: not grasping God's righteousness, they tried to set up their own — and so refused to submit to his.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἀγνοοῦντεςbeing ignorant ofPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀγνοέωadverbial participle (causal)→ present (ongoing)ἀγνοέω: 'not know, be ignorant' (cf. 1:13; 7:1); their ignorance of God's righteousness — the root problem.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (the righteousness from/of God)θεός: God; 'the righteousness of God' (cf. 1:17; 3:21) — the gift they missed.
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect object of ἀγνοοῦντεςδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; God's saving righteousness, received by faith.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἰδίανtheir ownAccusativeattributive adjective (substantival)ἴδιος: 'one's own' (cf. 8:32); 'their own righteousness' — self-established, by works.
ζητοῦντεςseekingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ζητέωadverbial participle (concessive/circumstantial)→ present (ongoing)ζητέω: 'seek, try'; their effort to set up their own standing.
στῆσαιto establishAor Act Inf · ἵστημιcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἵστημι: 'set up, establish' (cf. 3:31); to erect their own righteousness.
τῇto theDativearticle
δικαιοσύνῃrighteousnessDativedat. (object of ὑπετάγησαν)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; God's righteousness, to which they would not yield.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source
οὐχnotnegative particle
ὑπετάγησανthey submittedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ὑποτάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'submit, be subject' (cf. 8:7); their refusal to submit to God's way of righteousness — pride masquerading as zeal.
4
τέλος γὰρ νόμου Χριστὸς εἰς δικαιοσύνην παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The pivotal claim: Christ is the law's *telos* — its termination and/or goal — so that righteousness comes to everyone who believes.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
τέλοςend/goalNominativepredicate nominative (fronted, emphatic)τέλος: 'end, termination, goal, fulfillment' (cf. 'telos'); the famous crux — Christ as the law's terminus (it ceases as a way to righteousness), its goal (toward which it pointed), or both.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
νόμουof the lawGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveνόμος: 'law'; the Mosaic law, whose τέλος is Christ.
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Christ'; the law's end-point and fulfillment.
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (result/goal)
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the goal — righteousness now available in Christ, by faith.
παντὶto everyoneDativesubstantival adj. (dat. of advantage)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the universal reach — no ethnic limit (cf. 1:16; 3:22).
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πιστεύοντιwho believesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (limits παντί)→ customary (characteristic)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust' (cf. 1:16; 4:5); faith is the sole condition.
5
Μωϋσῆς γὰρ γράφει τὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ τοῦ νόμου ὅτι ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς.
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
The law's own principle (Lev 18:5): righteousness by law demands doing — the one who performs the commandments lives by them.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubjectΜωϋσῆς: Moses; spokesman for law-righteousness.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
γράφειwritesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ gnomic presentγράφω: 'write'; Moses' written testimony (Lev 18:5).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect objectδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the law-based kind, by doing.
τὴνthe (which is)Accusativearticle (attributive, w/ prep. phrase)
ἐκfrom/based onpreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)νόμος: 'law'; the source of this righteousness — the doing of Torah.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content/citation)
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ποιήσαςwho doesAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, perform' (cf. 2:13); the law demands doing — performing its commands.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (refers to the commandments)
ἄνθρωποςpersonNominativeapposition to ὁ ποιήσαςἄνθρωπος: 'person'; whoever does the law.
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureζάω: 'live'; 'shall live by them' (Lev 18:5) — life contingent on perfect doing.
ἐνby/inpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
αὐτοῖςthemDativedat. of means (refers to the commandments)'by them' — life found in keeping the commands; the demanding way Israel chose.
6
ἡ δὲ ἐκ πίστεως δικαιοσύνη οὕτως λέγει· Μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου· Τίς ἀναβήσεται εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν; τοῦτ' ἔστιν Χριστὸν καταγαγεῖν·
But the righteousness that is by faith speaks like this: 'Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?"' (that is, to bring Christ down),
By contrast, faith-righteousness (voiced from Deut 30:12) needs no impossible quest: no need to scale heaven — as if to fetch Christ down.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἡtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐκby/frompreposition + genitive (source)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)πίστις: 'faith' (cf. 1:17); the source of this righteousness.
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativesubject (personified)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; personified as a speaker, voicing Deut 30.
οὕτωςlike this/thusadverb (manner)
λέγειspeaksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
Μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
εἴπῃςsayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λέγωprohibitive subjunctive→ ingressive aoristλέγω: 'say'; 'do not say in your heart' (Deut 30:12; cf. 9:1).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedat. of locationκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner self that might despair of the quest.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
ἀναβήσεταιwill ascendFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend' (ἀνά + βαίνω); the impossible heavenward quest — needless, since the word is near.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
οὐρανόνheavenAccusativeobject of εἰςοὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; where one would supposedly have to go to find Christ.
τοῦτ'that isNominativedemonstrative (epexegetical)τοῦτ' ἔστιν: 'that is (to say)'; Paul's christological interpretation of the OT.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (idiom)→ gnomic present
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveΧριστός: 'Christ'; whom one would 'bring down' — but he has already come (incarnation).
καταγαγεῖνto bring downAor Act Inf · κατάγωepexegetical infinitive→ constative aoristκατάγω: 'bring/lead down' (κατά + ἄγω); to fetch Christ from heaven — unnecessary, for he has descended.
7
ἤ· Τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον; τοῦτ' ἔστιν Χριστὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναγαγεῖν.
'or "Who will descend into the abyss?"' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
The matching impossibility: no need to plunge to the depths — as if to raise Christ from the dead, for he is already risen.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἤordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; the parallel impossible quest (downward).
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
καταβήσεταιwill descendFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureκαταβαίνω: 'go down, descend' (κατά + βαίνω); paralleling ἀναβήσεται — the downward quest (adapting Deut 30:13's 'across the sea').
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἄβυσσονabyss/deepAccusativeobject of εἰςἄβυσσος: 'abyss, bottomless depth' (ἀ- + βυθός, 'depth'); the realm of the dead — where one would 'go down' to find Christ.
τοῦτ'that isNominativedemonstrative (epexegetical)τοῦτ' ἔστιν: 'that is (to say).'
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (idiom)→ gnomic present
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveΧριστός: 'Christ'; whom one would 'bring up' — but he is already raised.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead'; 'from among the dead.'
ἀναγαγεῖνto bring upAor Act Inf · ἀνάγωepexegetical infinitive→ constative aoristἀνάγω: 'bring/lead up' (ἀνά + ἄγω); to raise Christ — needless, for God already raised him.
8
ἀλλὰ τί λέγει; Ἐγγύς σου τὸ ῥῆμά ἐστιν, ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου· τοῦτ' ἔστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τῆς πίστεως ὃ κηρύσσομεν.
But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' — that is, the word of faith that we proclaim;
The positive answer (Deut 30:14): the word is not far off but right here — in mouth and heart — and this is precisely the word of faith Paul preaches.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of λέγει)
λέγειdoes it sayPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
Ἐγγύςnearadverb/improper preposition (+ gen.)ἐγγύς: 'near, close at hand'; the word's accessibility — no quest required.
σουyou/yourGenitivegenitive (w/ ἐγγύς)
τὸtheNominativearticle
ῥῆμάwordNominativesubjectῥῆμα: 'word, saying, spoken word' (cf. v.17); the near, accessible message.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
στόματίmouthDativedat. of locationστόμα: 'mouth' (cf. v.9-10); the organ of confession.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedat. of locationκαρδία: 'heart' (cf. v.9-10); the seat of belief.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τοῦτ'that isNominativedemonstrative (epexegetical)τοῦτ' ἔστιν: 'that is (to say)'; Paul identifies the 'word' with the gospel.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (idiom)→ gnomic present
τὸtheNominativearticle
ῥῆμαwordNominativepredicate nominativeῥῆμα: 'word'; the 'word of faith.'
τῆςofGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveattributive genitiveπίστις: 'faith'; 'the word of faith' — the gospel that calls for and conveys faith.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κηρύσσομεν)
κηρύσσομενwe proclaimPres Act Indic 1 Pl · κηρύσσωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentκηρύσσω: 'proclaim, preach, herald' (cf. κῆρυξ, 'herald'; v.14-15); the apostolic preaching.
9
ὅτι ἐὰν ὁμολογήσῃς ἐν τῷ στόματί σου κύριον Ἰησοῦν, καὶ πιστεύσῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ὅτι ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν, σωθήσῃ·
because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The heart of the gospel in two clauses: confess Jesus as Lord with the mouth, believe his resurrection in the heart — and you will be saved.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: grounding 'the word of faith' in its content.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)
ὁμολογήσῃςyou confessAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ὁμολογέωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristὁμολογέω: 'confess, profess, acknowledge openly' (ὁμοῦ + λέγω, 'say the same'); public confession of Jesus' lordship.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)
τῷtheDativearticle
στόματίmouthDativedat. of meansστόμα: 'mouth' (cf. v.8); the organ of confession.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
κύριονLordAccusativepredicate accusative (double acc.)κύριος: 'Lord' (cf. 1:4); confessing Jesus as κύριος — the LXX name of God, hence his deity and sovereignty.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πιστεύσῃςyou believeAor Act Subj 2 Sg · πιστεύωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe' (cf. 4:24); inward faith in the resurrection.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedat. of locationκαρδία: 'heart' (cf. v.8); the seat of genuine faith.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of belief)
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
ἤγειρενraisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (content clause)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise' (cf. 4:24-25; 8:11); the resurrection — the content of saving faith.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead'; 'from among the dead.'
σωθήσῃyou will be savedFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save' (cf. v.1, 13); the promise to confessing faith.
10
καρδίᾳ γὰρ πιστεύεται εἰς δικαιοσύνην, στόματι δὲ ὁμολογεῖται εἰς σωτηρίαν.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
The two clauses of v.9 spelled out in parallel: heart-faith issues in righteousness, mouth-confession in salvation — inward and outward together.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καρδίᾳwith the heartDativedat. of meansκαρδία: 'heart' (cf. v.9); the locus of justifying faith.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πιστεύεταιone believesPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (impersonal passive)→ gnomic presentπιστεύω: 'believe'; impersonal — 'believing is done with the heart.'
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (result)
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the result of heart-faith — justification.
στόματιwith the mouthDativedat. of meansστόμα: 'mouth' (cf. v.9); the locus of confession.
δὲandconnective conjunction
ὁμολογεῖταιone confessesPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁμολογέωmain verb (impersonal passive)→ gnomic presentὁμολογέω: 'confess' (cf. v.9); impersonal — 'confessing is done with the mouth.'
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (result)
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)σωτηρία: 'salvation' (cf. v.1); the result of confession — not two stages but one whole faith, inwardly held and outwardly owned.
11
λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· Πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ' αὐτῷ οὐ καταισχυνθήσεται.
For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.'
Scripture confirms the promise (Isa 28:16, with 'everyone' added): all who believe in him — without exception — will never be put to shame.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
γραφήScriptureNominativesubjectγραφή: 'Scripture' (cf. 9:17); quoting Isa 28:16 (already used at 9:33).
ΠᾶςeveryoneNominativeattributive adjective (substantival)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the emphatic 'everyone' Paul highlights — opening the door to all nations (cf. v.12-13).
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
πιστεύωνwho believesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)πιστεύω: 'believe' (cf. 9:33); faith the sole qualifier.
ἐπ'in/onpreposition + dative (object of trust)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί'him' — Christ, the stone of 9:33.
οὐnotnegative particle
καταισχυνθήσεταιwill be put to shameFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταισχύνωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureκαταισχύνω: 'put to shame, disappoint' (cf. 5:5; 9:33); the believer never disappointed.
12
οὐ γάρ ἐστιν διαστολὴ Ἰουδαίου τε καὶ Ἕλληνος, ὁ γὰρ αὐτὸς κύριος πάντων, πλουτῶν εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους αὐτόν·
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
The ground of the 'everyone': no Jew/Greek distinction remains, for the one Lord of all lavishes his riches on all who call upon him.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὐnotnegative particle
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic present
διαστολὴdistinctionNominativesubjectδιαστολή: 'distinction, difference' (cf. 3:22); no Jew/Greek differentiation in salvation.
Ἰουδαίουof JewGenitivegenitive (of the distinction)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jew' (cf. 1:16); paired with Greek.
τεbothcorrelative particle
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Ἕλληνοςof GreekGenitivegenitive (of the distinction)Ἕλλην: 'Greek' (cf. 1:16); the representative Gentile.
ὁtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτὸςsameNominativeintensive/identical adjectiveαὐτός: 'same'; the one and same Lord over both.
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord' (cf. v.9, 13); Christ as Lord of all peoples.
πάντωνof allGenitiveobjective genitiveπᾶς: 'all'; Lord 'of all' — Jew and Gentile alike.
πλουτῶνbeing rich/bestowing richesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πλουτέωadverbial participle (manner)→ present (ongoing)πλουτέω: 'be rich, abound in wealth' (cf. πλοῦτος, 9:23); here transitively 'rich toward' — lavishing his wealth.
εἰςtoward/onpreposition + accusative (direction)
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the universal recipients.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐπικαλουμένουςwho call onPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἐπικαλέωsubstantival participle (object of εἰς)→ customary (characteristic)ἐπικαλέω (mid.): 'call upon, invoke, appeal to' (cf. v.13-14); to call on the Lord — the mark of the saved.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπικαλουμένους
13
Πᾶς γὰρ ὃς ἂν ἐπικαλέσηται τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου σωθήσεται.
For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
The universal promise sealed by Scripture (Joel 2:32): everyone, without exception, who calls on the Lord's name will be saved.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ΠᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all, every' (cf. v.11-12); the keyword of universality.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun
ἂνeverparticle (w/ subjunctive, indefinite)ὃς ἂν: 'whoever' — fully inclusive.
ἐπικαλέσηταιcalls onAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐπικαλέωsubjunctive (indefinite rel. clause)→ constative aoristἐπικαλέω (mid.): 'call upon, invoke' (cf. v.12); calling on the Lord in faith.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect objectὄνομα: 'name' (cf. 1:5); 'the name of the Lord' — in Joel, YHWH; Paul applies it to Jesus the κύριος (v.9, 12).
κυρίουof the LordGenitivepossessive/objective genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; the divine name now centered on Jesus.
σωθήσεταιwill be savedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save' (cf. v.9-10; Joel 2:32 [LXX 3:5]); the saving promise to all who call.
14
Πῶς οὖν ἐπικαλέσωνται εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν; πῶς δὲ πιστεύσωσιν οὗ οὐκ ἤκουσαν; πῶς δὲ ἀκούσωσιν χωρὶς κηρύσσοντος;
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
A chain of questions traced back from calling: calling presupposes believing, believing presupposes hearing, hearing presupposes a preacher.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Πῶςhowinterrogative adverb
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'then'; drawing the logical chain from v.13's 'call on.'
ἐπικαλέσωνταιwill they call onAor Mid Subj 3 Pl · ἐπικαλέωdeliberative subjunctive→ constative aoristἐπικαλέω (mid.): 'call upon, invoke' (cf. v.12-13); the first link — calling requires faith.
εἰςon/inpreposition + accusative (object of faith)
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπίστευσαν)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπίστευσανthey have believedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe' (cf. v.9-11); calling presupposes believing.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb
δὲandconnective conjunction
πιστεύσωσινare they to believeAor Act Subj 3 Pl · πιστεύωdeliberative subjunctive→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe'; the second link — believing requires hearing.
οὗof whomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἤκουσαν)οὗ: 'of/whom'; ἀκούω + gen. of person heard — 'heard him' (heard the message about him, or heard him speaking through preachers).
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἤκουσανthey have heardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; believing presupposes hearing.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἀκούσωσινare they to hearAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀκούωdeliberative subjunctive→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the third link — hearing requires a preacher.
χωρὶςwithoutpreposition + genitive (separation)χωρίς: 'without, apart from' (cf. 3:21); no hearing without a herald.
κηρύσσοντοςsomeone preachingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · κηρύσσωsubstantival participle (object of χωρίς)→ customary (characteristic)κηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald, preach' (cf. v.8); the herald whose proclamation makes hearing possible.
15
πῶς δὲ κηρύξωσιν ἐὰν μὴ ἀποσταλῶσιν; καθὼς γέγραπται· Ὡς ὡραῖοι οἱ πόδες τῶν εὐαγγελιζομένων τὰ ἀγαθά.
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'
The chain's final link and its scriptural seal: preaching requires sending — and Scripture celebrates the messengers' coming as beautiful (Isa 52:7).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb
δὲandconnective conjunction
κηρύξωσινare they to preachAor Act Subj 3 Pl · κηρύσσωdeliberative subjunctive→ constative aoristκηρύσσω: 'preach, proclaim' (cf. v.14); the fourth link — preaching requires commissioning.
ἐὰνunless/ifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐὰν μή: 'unless, if not.'
μὴnotnegative particle
ἀποσταλῶσινthey are sentAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send (with authority/commission)' (cf. ἀπόστολος, 1:1); the divine sending that originates the whole chain.
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (citation formula)
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'it stands written'; quoting Isa 52:7.
Ὡςhowexclamatory particleὡς: here exclamatory — 'how (beautiful)!'
ὡραῖοιbeautiful/timelyNominativepredicate adjectiveὡραῖος: 'beautiful, lovely, timely' (cf. ὥρα, 'hour, season'); the welcome arrival of the messengers.
οἱtheNominativearticle
πόδεςfeetNominativesubjectπούς: 'foot' (cf. 3:15); the feet that bring the news — synecdoche for the messengers' coming.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὐαγγελιζομένωνwho bring good newsPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · εὐαγγελίζωsubstantival participle (possessive genitive)→ customary (characteristic)εὐαγγελίζω (mid.): 'announce good news, evangelize' (cf. εὐαγγέλιον, 1:1, 9, 15); the gospel-bearers.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἀγαθάgood thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)ἀγαθός: 'good'; 'the good news' — the content proclaimed.
16
Ἀλλ' οὐ πάντες ὑπήκουσαν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ· Ἠσαΐας γὰρ λέγει· Κύριε, τίς ἐπίστευσεν τῇ ἀκοῇ ἡμῶν;
But not all have obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?'
The tragic qualification: though the message went out, not all obeyed it — Isaiah lamented the same unbelief (53:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
Ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; not all responded — the somber counterpoint to the universal offer.
ὑπήκουσανobeyedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑπακούωmain verb→ constative aoristὑπακούω: 'obey, submit, heed' (ὑπό + ἀκούω; cf. 6:17); faith as obedience to the gospel (cf. 1:5) — a play on ἀκούω, 'hear.'
τῷtheDativearticle
εὐαγγελίῳgospelDativedat. (object of ὑπήκουσαν)εὐαγγέλιον: 'gospel' (cf. 1:1, 16); the message not all obeyed.
ἨσαΐαςIsaiahNominativesubjectἨσαΐας: Isaiah; quoted again (Isa 53:1).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
ΚύριεLordVocativevocative of address (in citation)κύριος: 'Lord'; the prophet's address to God.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the lament — so few believed.
ἐπίστευσενhas believedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe'; the unbelief Isaiah foresaw.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀκοῇwhat is heard/reportDativedat. (object of ἐπίστευσεν)ἀκοή: 'hearing, report, message' (cf. ἀκούω; v.17); 'our report' — the message heard from the preachers.
ἡμῶνourGenitivesubjective genitive (the report we gave)
17
ἄρα ἡ πίστις ἐξ ἀκοῆς, ἡ δὲ ἀκοὴ διὰ ῥήματος Χριστοῦ.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
The conclusion of the chain: faith arises out of the message heard, and that message comes through the word of Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα: 'so, therefore' (cf. 5:18; 8:1); summing up the chain of vv.14-16.
ἡtheNominativearticle
πίστιςfaithNominativesubjectπίστις: 'faith' (cf. 1:17); arises from hearing the message.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἀκοῆςhearing/the messageGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)ἀκοή: 'hearing, report, message' (cf. v.16); faith's source — the heard word.
ἡtheNominativearticle
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἀκοὴhearing/the messageNominativesubjectἀκοή: 'hearing, report'; in turn coming through Christ's word.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
ῥήματοςwordGenitiveobject of διά (means)ῥῆμα: 'word, spoken word' (cf. v.8); the proclaimed word of/about Christ.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitiveobjective/subjective genitiveΧριστός: 'Christ'; 'the word of Christ' — the message about him, or his own word through preachers (some MSS read 'of God').
18
ἀλλὰ λέγω, μὴ οὐκ ἤκουσαν; μενοῦνγε· Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν, καὶ εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουμένης τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν.
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have: 'Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'
First defense of Israel's culpability: they certainly heard — the gospel's voice has reached the whole earth (Ps 19:4).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
λέγωI ask/sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: 'say, ask'; introducing the rhetorical question.
μὴ(not)interrogative particle (expects 'no')μὴ οὐκ: a double negative in a question expecting 'no' to the negative — i.e. 'surely they did hear?'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἤκουσανhave they heardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear' (cf. v.14); did Israel fail to hear? No.
μενοῦνγεindeed/on the contraryparticle (emphatic affirmation)μενοῦνγε: 'indeed, rather, certainly' (cf. 9:20); strong affirmation — 'yes, certainly they did.'
Εἰςto/intopreposition + accusative (extent)
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνearthAccusativeobject of εἰςγῆ: 'earth' (cf. 9:17); the universal reach of the message (Ps 19:4 [LXX 18:5]).
ἐξῆλθενhas gone outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, go forth' (ἐκ + ἔρχομαι); the proclamation's spread.
ὁtheNominativearticle
φθόγγοςvoice/soundNominativesubjectφθόγγος: 'sound, voice, utterance'; in the Psalm, creation's witness, here applied to the gospel's heralds.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (extent)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πέραταendsAccusativeobject of εἰςπέρας: 'end, limit, boundary'; the farthest reaches.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
οἰκουμένηςworld/inhabited earthGenitivegenitive (of the ends)οἰκουμένη: 'inhabited world' (from οἰκέω, 'dwell'; cf. 'ecumenical'); the whole populated earth.
τὰtheNominativearticle
ῥήματαwordsNominativesubjectῥῆμα: 'word' (cf. v.8, 17); the message reaching the ends of the earth.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
19
ἀλλὰ λέγω, μὴ Ἰσραὴλ οὐκ ἔγνω; πρῶτος Μωϋσῆς λέγει· Ἐγὼ παραζηλώσω ὑμᾶς ἐπ' οὐκ ἔθνει, ἐπ' ἔθνει ἀσυνέτῳ παροργιῶ ὑμᾶς.
But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, 'I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.'
Second defense: Israel did understand, for Moses long ago warned that God would provoke them to jealousy through a 'non-nation' (Deut 32:21).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
λέγωI ask/sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary present
μὴ(not)interrogative particle (expects 'no')μὴ … οὐκ: 'surely Israel did not fail to know?'
ἸσραὴλIsraelNominativesubjectἸσραήλ: Israel; did they fail to understand? No.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔγνωdid know/understandAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know, understand' (cf. 1:21); Israel did know — the Scriptures foretold it.
πρῶτοςfirstNominativepredicate adj. (adverbial, 'first')πρῶτος: 'first'; Moses is the first witness cited.
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubjectΜωϋσῆς: Moses; the first to announce Gentile inclusion provoking Israel.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, God speaking)ἐγώ: 'I' — God as speaker in Deut 32:21.
παραζηλώσωI will make jealousFut Act Indic 1 Sg · παραζηλόωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureπαραζηλόω: 'provoke to jealousy' (παρά + ζηλόω; cf. ζῆλος, v.2; the theme of 11:11, 14); God uses the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἐπ'by/atpreposition + dative (cause/occasion)ἐπί + dat. of cause: 'over, at, by means of.'
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔθνειa nationDativedat. of causeἔθνος: 'nation' (cf. 1:5); 'a non-nation' — the Gentiles, no people in Israel's eyes (cf. 9:25).
ἐπ'with/atpreposition + dative (cause/occasion)
ἔθνειa nationDativedat. of causeἔθνος: 'nation'; the foolish nation used to provoke.
ἀσυνέτῳfoolish/without understandingDativeattributive adjectiveἀσύνετος: 'without understanding, foolish' (ἀ- + συνίημι; cf. 1:21, 31); the Gentiles deemed senseless by Israel — yet now God's instrument.
παροργιῶI will provoke to angerFut Act Indic 1 Sg · παροργίζωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureπαροργίζω: 'provoke to anger, exasperate' (παρά + ὀργίζω; cf. ὀργή, 1:18); the second provocation — jealousy edging into anger.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
20
Ἠσαΐας δὲ ἀποτολμᾷ καὶ λέγει· Εὑρέθην τοῖς ἐμὲ μὴ ζητοῦσιν, ἐμφανὴς ἐγενόμην τοῖς ἐμὲ μὴ ἐπερωτῶσιν.
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'
Isaiah's even bolder word (65:1): God let himself be found by Gentiles who were not even seeking him — an astonishing reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἨσαΐαςIsaiahNominativesubjectἨσαΐας: Isaiah; the bold prophet.
δὲthen/andconnective conjunction
ἀποτολμᾷis so bold/daresPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποτολμάωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποτολμάω: 'be very bold, make bold to' (ἀπό-intensive of τολμάω, 'dare'; cf. 5:7); Isaiah dares to speak the shocking word.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
ΕὑρέθηνI was foundAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find' (cf. 4:1; 7:21); God 'was found' — by those not looking (Isa 65:1).
τοῖςby thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐμὲmeAccusativedirect object of ζητοῦσιν
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ζητοῦσινseekingPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ζητέωsubstantival participle (dat. of agent)→ customary (characteristic)ζητέω: 'seek' (cf. v.3); those who were not seeking God — the Gentiles.
ἐμφανὴςmanifest/visibleNominativepredicate adjectiveἐμφανής: 'manifest, visible, plainly seen' (ἐν + φαίνω); God made himself evident.
ἐγενόμηνI became/revealed myselfAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; 'I became manifest' — God's self-disclosure to non-seekers.
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐμὲmeAccusativedirect object of ἐπερωτῶσιν
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ἐπερωτῶσινasking forPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἐπερωτάωsubstantival participle (dat. of reference)→ customary (characteristic)ἐπερωτάω: 'ask, inquire of' (ἐπί + ἐρωτάω); those who did not even ask after God — yet found by him.
21
πρὸς δὲ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ λέγει· Ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐξεπέτασα τὰς χεῖράς μου πρὸς λαὸν ἀπειθοῦντα καὶ ἀντιλέγοντα.
But concerning Israel he says, 'All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.'
The chapter ends on God's grieved patience (Isa 65:2): all day long he extended pleading hands to a people who only disobeyed and contradicted.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πρὸςconcerning/topreposition + accusative (reference)πρός + acc.: here 'with reference to, concerning' Israel.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἸσραὴλIsraelAccusativeobject of πρόςἸσραήλ: Israel; the contrast to the Gentiles of v.20.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic present
Ὅληνall/wholeAccusativeattributive adjective
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of durationἡμέρα: 'day'; ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν = 'all day long' (cf. 8:36) — God's persistent, patient appeal.
ἐξεπέτασαI have held out/stretched outAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκπετάννυμιmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristἐκπετάννυμι: 'spread out, stretch out' (ἐκ + πετάννυμι); hands extended in invitation/pleading — the gesture of welcome.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖράςhandsAccusativedirect objectχείρ: 'hand'; outstretched in appeal — God's persistent overture.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
λαὸνa peopleAccusativeobject of πρόςλαός: 'people' (cf. 9:25-26); Israel, God's own people, here described by its resistance.
ἀπειθοῦνταdisobedientPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀπειθέωattributive participle→ present (ongoing)ἀπειθέω: 'be disobedient, refuse to believe' (ἀ- + πείθω; cf. ἀπειθής, 1:30); the people's persistent refusal.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀντιλέγονταcontrary/contradictingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀντιλέγωattributive participle→ present (ongoing)ἀντιλέγω: 'speak against, contradict, oppose' (ἀντί + λέγω); a people that talks back to God — the note on which the chapter ends, setting up ch. 11.