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But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: \u201ctheir sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Gospel message continues to be proclaimed worldwide.<\/p>\n \u201cHave they not heard<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek m\u0113 ouk akousan<\/em><\/span>. Both m\u0113<\/em> <\/span>and ouk<\/em> <\/span>are negative particles. In Greek grammar the double negative amplifies the negative. Akousan<\/em> <\/span>is a form of akou\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which Paul has been emphasizing throughout these last few verses. We could paraphrase this as, \u201chave they really not heard?\u201d<\/p>\n The words \u201cYes indeed<\/span>\u201d are translated from menounge<\/em><\/span>, an unusual word which we looked at back in Romans 9:20<\/strong><\/span>. We could paraphrase this as \u201cNow wait just a minute\u201d or \u201cOf course they have!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSound<\/span>\u201d is from phthongos<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201ca musical sound, whether from a musical instrument or the voice.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cends<\/span>\u201d is translated from peras<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201cthe extreme end or the farthest parts.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, \u201cworld<\/span>\u201d is translated from oikoumen\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201cthe place where people live.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul has just declared that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, that is, the good news (Gospel) of the Messiah. He now anticipates the objection from the Jewish Christians in Rome that not everyone has heard God\u2019s message. He responds to this theoretical objection by asking one of his rhetorical questions, \u201cHave they really not heard?\u201d And his response is even more emphatic, \u201cOf course they have!\u201d<\/p>\n Remember how beautiful God considers those who proclaim the gospel message? Paul refers to the sound of that message being like a musical sound and he declares that it has gone out to the very ends of civilization.<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s quotation here is from Psalms 19:4<\/strong><\/span> in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. Here\u2019s what the first part of that Psalm says:<\/p>\n The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge<\/span>. There <\/span>is<\/span><\/em> <\/span>no speech nor language<\/span> where<\/em><\/span> <\/span>their voice is not heard. <\/span>(Psalms 19:1-3<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n The Gospel message continues to be carried to all inhabited parts of the earth. That is our responsibility as Christians. We are to boldly proclaim it to everyone. And even though there may be some who have not heard the gospel message of Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection, they are not innocent because there is sufficient evidence in God\u2019s creation that proclaims God\u2019s magnificence and man\u2019s sinfulness.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Today when you walk outside, take a good look at God\u2019s handiwork and think about how foolish and ashamed those people who want to believe in evolution rather than creation are going to feel when they appear before their Creator and their Judge! They may ridicule us and call us fools, but we are to love them with God\u2019s love and tell them the glorious gospel message. Life is neither meaningless nor hopeless for those who believe God\u2019s truth, and it is undeniable.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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