John Calvin Commentary Romans 10:21

"But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." — Romans 10:21 (ASV)

But of Israel, etc. A reason is added why God turned to the Gentiles: it was because he saw that his favor had become a mockery to the Jews. So that readers may more fully understand that the blindness of the people is pointed out in the second clause, Paul expressly reminds us that the elect people were charged with their own wickedness.

Literally, it is, “He says to Israel.” But Paul has imitated the Hebrew idiom, for ל, lamed, is often used for מן, men.

And he says that to Israel he stretched forth his hands, whom he continually invited to himself by his word and unceasingly tried to attract by every sort of kindness. For these are the two ways he uses to call people, as he thereby proves his goodwill towards them. However, he mainly complains about the contempt shown for his truth. This contempt is all the more detestable because of the remarkable way God shows his fatherly care in inviting people to himself by his word.

Very emphatic is the expression that he stretches out his hands; for by seeking our salvation through the ministers of his word, he extends his hands to us just like a father who stretches out his arms, ready to receive his son kindly into his embrace. And he says daily, so that it might not seem strange to anyone if he grew weary of showing them kindness, since he did not succeed despite his persistence. We find a similar representation in Jeremiah 7:13 and Jeremiah 11:7, where he says that he rose up early to warn them.

Their unfaithfulness is also described by two most suitable words. I have thought it right to render the participle ἀπειθοῦντα, refractory, or rebellious; and yet the rendering of Erasmus and of the Old Translator, which I have noted in the margin, is not to be entirely disapproved. But since the Prophet accuses the people of perverseness, and then adds that they wandered through a way that was not good, I do not doubt that the Greek Translator meant to express the Hebrew word סורר, surer, by two words, calling them first disobedient or rebellious, and then gainsaying. For their stubborn resistance revealed itself in this: the people, with untamable pride and bitterness, obstinately rejected the holy warnings of the Prophets.