Gr. apeitheia, “disobedience.” Compare apeitheō above. The disobedience of the Jews resulted in the gospel’s being carried to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46).
Not believed.
Gr. apeitheō, “to disobey.” Their former disobedience ought to repress any uncharitable feelings the Gentiles might be tempted to cherish concerning the present disobedience of the Jews (vs. 18-20).
In times past.
That is, prior to the preaching of the gospel among the Gentiles. The Jews, whom God had chosen to be His ambassadors to the world, had failed miserably in their task of world evangelism. Hence it was not until the time of the Christian church that the invitation to salvation was extended to the Gentiles.