Paul has just declared: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 That is wonderful news. But Paul immediately asks a series of practical questions: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?” Romans 10:14
And then: “And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”
Romans 10:14 And finally: “And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Romans 10:14 Paul is showing us the importance of proclaiming the gospel. People need to hear the truth about Christ.
Paul continues: “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”
Romans 10:15 Then he quotes Isaiah: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”Romans 10:15
The picture is of a messenger traveling to bring good news. In the ancient world, when an army had won a great victory or a king had achieved something significant, a messenger would carry the news back to the people.
Paul says the feet of those who bring the gospel are beautiful because they carry the greatest news of all: Jesus Christ has come.
- There is forgiveness.
- There is salvation.
- There is peace with God.
- There is hope.
Faith Comes by Hearing
Paul then gives us the key verse: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 God's Word is central to genuine faith.
- Faith is not simply positive thinking.
- It is not wishful optimism.
- It is not believing something merely because we want it to be true.
Biblical faith has an object. And that object is the truth God has revealed. The more we hear and understand God's Word, the more clearly we understand who God is, what He has done, what He has promised, and how He calls us to respond.
That is why Scripture is so important to the Christian life.
The Word of God
Paul's statement also explains why simply listening to human opinions is not enough.
- People can give us advice.
- People can tell us what they think.
- People can offer theories about God.
But faith comes by “hearing...the word of God.” God's Word gives us something human wisdom cannot provide: God's own revelation of Himself.
Paul had already written: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” Romans 1:16 The gospel is God's message. And God's message has God's power behind it.
Israel Heard
Paul then addresses an important question concerning Israel. Had they actually heard? Paul answers: “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily…” Romans 10:18 The message had gone forth.
Yet hearing the message and responding to the message are not the same thing. This is an important spiritual truth. A person can hear Scripture repeatedly and still resist what it says.
- We can sit in church.
- We can read the Bible.
- We can listen to sermons.
- We can discuss Christian truth.
And yet simply hearing does not automatically produce obedience.
Jesus repeatedly said: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15 There is a difference between hearing sound with our ears and receiving truth into our hearts.
A Willing Heart
The gospel calls for a response. Paul had already said: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart…” Romans 10:9
So the progression is important:
- The Word is proclaimed.
- People hear.
- They believe.
- They call upon the Lord.
- They are saved.
And once we have received the gospel ourselves, we become messengers of that same good news.
Devotional Thought
There is something very humbling about realizing that most of us came to know Christ because somebody told us.
- Perhaps it was a parent.
- A grandparent.
- A pastor.
- A Sunday school teacher.
- A friend.
- A spouse.
- A neighbor.
Or perhaps God used a Bible that someone placed in our hands.
- Somebody carried the message.
- Somebody opened the Scriptures.
- Somebody spoke the name of Jesus.
And God used that simple act to bring truth into our lives. Now consider this: Whose life might God want to touch through you?
You may never preach to thousands of people. You may never stand behind a pulpit. But you can speak a word of encouragement.
- You can share a Scripture.
- You can tell someone what Christ has done for you.
- You can pray with someone.
- You can invite someone to church.
- You can live in such a way that your life makes people curious about your hope.
Paul's question remains: “And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Romans 10:14 The word “preacher” should not make us think only of someone standing in a pulpit. Every believer has opportunities to be a witness.
Life Application
First, stay in God's Word. If faith comes by hearing the Word of God, then we should make Scripture a regular part of our lives.
- Read it.
- Study it.
- Listen to it.
- Meditate upon it.
- Let it correct you.
- Let it encourage you.
- Let it shape your understanding of God.
Second, listen with a willing heart. Don't merely ask, “What does this verse say?” Also ask: “What is God showing me?” And: “How should I respond?”
Third, share what you have received. You don't have to know everything about the Bible to tell someone what Jesus has done in your life. You can simply say: “Let me tell you what Christ means to me.”
The gospel was never meant to stop with us. We receive it and then we carry it forward to others who need.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your Word and for the people You have used to bring the gospel into my life. Help me treasure Your Word and spend time listening to what You are saying through Scripture. Give me a heart that is willing not only to hear Your truth but to obey it.
Give me opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with others. Give me wisdom to know when to speak, courage to speak when I should, and love for the people You place in my path. Use my words and my life to point others toward Christ.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
