Romans 10:14

Commentary on Romans 10:14

The Text and Its Core Teaching
Romans 10:14 (NKJV) asks a series of compelling questions:
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

This verse succinctly expresses a foundational truth: faith is initiated by the hearing of the Gospel. This teaching is central. The verse underscores that the opportunity to call upon Christ, an act of salvation, is contingent on exposing individuals to the message of salvation. Here, Paul is not suggesting that salvation is earned by preaching; rather, he affirms that the biblical mechanism of conversion is a divinely ordained process in which the means (the preached Word) and the end (saving faith) are closely linked. This aligns with the doctrine of the means of grace, where the proclamation of the Word serves as the instrument through which God awakens faith in the elect.

Context within Romans 10
In the broader context of Romans 10, Paul has laid a foundation by emphasising that righteousness is not achieved by works but through faith in Christ. He moves from the certainty of God’s universal offer of salvation (Romans 10:9–13) to the necessity of hearing as a prerequisite for belief. In saying that people cannot call on Him of whom they have not heard, Paul places a charge on the church: the preaching of the Gospel is indispensable. Christians see this as justification for active evangelism, even though salvation is entirely by God’s sovereign grace, the Church is commanded to use the means God has provided. In other words, the responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel remains paramount, even as we trust that God will save His elect through that very means.

The Role of Evangelism and Preaching
Preaching is not merely an ecclesiastical duty but a divine calling. Paul’s rhetorical questions are both diagnostic and exhortative. They diagnose the spiritual barrenness that would exist if the Gospel were not proclaimed and exhort believers to take up the mantle of evangelism. The verse highlights that every act of evangelism, whether delivered from a pulpit, shared in a home, or broadcast over modern media, is a vital link in the chain of God’s redemptive plan. This teaching is echoed in Romans 10:17, which states, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” In our modern context, it challenges every believer to equip themselves for ministry, recognising that communities may remain unreached unless the message of Christ is communicated clearly and lovingly.

Application to Modern Christian Living
For today’s church and individual believers, Romans 10:14 remains a clarion call. In an era of diverse voices and pluralistic ideologies, the certainty of the Gospel stands as the only sure mediator between humanity and its Creator. Modern Christians are urged to be proactive: 

• Cultivating a Spirit of Evangelism: Every believer is called to be a bearer of the Gospel. This means sharing personal testimonies, engaging in relational evangelism, and leveraging modern technology, be it podcasts, social media, or community outreach, to ensure that the message reaches those who might otherwise never hear it.
• Valuing the Preacher’s Role: Reformed teaching upholds the beauty of the ‘feet’ of those who preach the truth (a reference to Isaiah 52:7). It reminds us that the act of proclamation is both a service and a sacrament, a means by which God communicates His grace.
• Embracing the Means of Grace: While God is sovereign in salvation, He has ordained the preaching of the Word as the means through which hearts are prepared to respond. This dual emphasis on divine sovereignty and human responsibility is crucial for contemporary believers who must witness in communities where biblical teaching is often countercultural.

In modern Christian living, therefore, Romans 10:14 motivates believers to overcome indifference and complacency. Christians are invited to view evangelism as not only a doctrinal imperative but also as a practical lifestyle. As the church adapts to cultural shifts, the underlying message remains unchanged: without the sound of the Gospel, hearts remain closed, and souls cannot call on the name of Christ.

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Conclusion

Romans 10:14 teaches that faith arises from the hearing of the Gospel, and that without active proclamation, the chain of salvation is broken. This teaching encourages all who profess faith to engage in evangelism as a priority, knowing that God’s sovereign grace operates through the faithful proclamation of His Word. In a world filled with distractions, modern believers are reminded that every effort to share the Gospel is both a divine help and a sacred responsibility.

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Each of these sources has helped shape an understanding of the central role of preaching in the process of salvation, a truth that remains as vital now as it was in the apostolic era.