The Word Brings Salvation
(Isaiah 65:1–16)

1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God {Theon} for the Israelites is for their salvation. 2For I testify about them that they are zealous for God {Theou}, but not on the basis of knowledge (discernment). 3Because they were ignorant of God’s {Theou} righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.

5For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses (drawn out) writes: “The man who does these things will live by them <Lev 18:5>.”a 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven <Deu 30:12>?’b (that is, to bring Christ down) 7or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss <Deu 30:13>?’c (that is, to bring Christ (the Anointed One) up from the dead).”

8But what does it say? “The word {rhēma} is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart <Deu 30:14>,”d that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus (YHWH saves) is Lord {Kyrion},” and believe in your heart that God {Theos} raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

11It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame <Isa 28:16>.”e 12For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord {Kyrios} is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord {Kyriou} will be saved <Jol 2:32>.”f

14How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed (had faith)? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news (gospel)!”g

16But not all of them welcomed the good news (gospel). For Isaiah (YHWH saves) says, “Lord {Kyrie}, who has believed (had faith) our message <Isa 53:1>?”h 17Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word {rhēmatos} of Christ (the Anointed One).

18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,

their words {rhēmata} to the ends of the world <Psa 19:4>.”i

19I ask instead, did Israel (He wrestles with God) not understand? First, Moses (drawn out) says:

“I will make you⁺ jealous by those who are not a nation {ethnei};

I will make you⁺ angry by a nation without understanding <Deu 32:21>.”j

20And Isaiah (YHWH saves) boldly says:

“I was found by those who did not seek Me;

I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me <Isa 65:1>.”k

21But as for Israel (He wrestles with God) he says:

“All day long I have held out My hands

to a disobedient and obstinate people <Isa 65:2>.”l