Romans 10:17

Commentary

Romans 10:17 (NKJV):
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1. Contextual Background: Romans 10

Romans 10[i] is part of Paul’s extended argument (Romans 9–11) concerning Israel’s unbelief and God’s sovereign purposes. In this chapter, Paul emphasises the accessibility of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He contrasts righteousness based on the law with righteousness based on faith.

Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV):
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Paul stresses that salvation is not earned by works but received by faith. This faith is not self-generated but comes through the proclamation of the gospel. Romans 10:17 is the climax of this argument: faith arises through hearing the word of Christ proclaimed.

2. Exegesis of Romans 10:17

• “Faith comes by hearing”: Faith is not innate; it is produced by God’s Spirit through the means of hearing the gospel. This aligns with Christian theology’s emphasis on the ordinary means of grace. God uses preaching and teaching of Scripture to awaken faith.
• “Hearing by the word of God”: The “word of God” here refers specifically to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Spirit works through the proclaimed word to bring conviction, repentance, and belief.

This verse underscores the necessity of preaching and evangelism. Faith does not come through mystical experience or human wisdom but through the Spirit applying the word.

3. Theological Insights

• Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the sufficient and authoritative means by which God reveals Christ and brings people to faith.
• Sola Fide: Faith alone is the instrument of justification. Romans 10:17 shows how faith is born through hearing the gospel.
• The Sovereignty of God: While faith comes through hearing, it is ultimately God who grants ears to hear and hearts to believe (cf. Romans 9:16).
• The Necessity of Preaching: Paul’s logic in Romans 10:14–15 highlights the chain: preaching → hearing → believing → calling on the Lord → salvation.

Romans 10:14–15 (NKJV):
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”

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4. Meditation Guide for Modern Christian Living

1. Personal Reflection:
   • Ask yourself: Am I regularly placing myself under the hearing of God’s word?
   • Do I allow Scripture to shape my faith, or do I rely on feelings and experiences?
2. Corporate Worship:
   • Value the preaching of the word in church. It is not optional but central to Christian growth.
   • Encourage pastors and teachers to remain faithful to the text, knowing that faith is nurtured through hearing the word.
3. Evangelism:
   • Share the gospel with clarity. Faith comes through hearing, so Christians must speak the word of Christ to others.
   • Trust that God uses even simple, faithful proclamation to bring people to saving faith.
4. Daily Practice:
   • Read Scripture aloud in personal devotion. Hearing the word strengthens faith.
   • Memorise key passages to rehearse the gospel truth in times of doubt.

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[i] Romans 10

New King James Version

Israel Needs the Gospel

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Israel Rejects the Gospel

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:

“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”

19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:

“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”

20 But Isaiah is very bold and says:

“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

21 But to Israel he says:

“All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.”