Romans 10:14

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?

How {G4459} then {G3767} shall they call on {G1941} him in {G1519} whom {G3739} they have {G4100} not {G3756} believed {G4100}? and {G1161} how {G4459} shall they believe in {G4100} him of whom {G3739} they have {G191} not {G3756} heard {G191}? and {G1161} how {G4459} shall they hear {G191} without {G5565} a preacher {G2784}?

But how can they call on someone if they haven’t trusted in him? And how can they trust in someone if they haven’t heard about him? And how can they hear about someone if no one is proclaiming him?

How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:14 is a powerful rhetorical question posed by the Apostle Paul, underscoring the logical and divine progression required for individuals to come to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It highlights the indispensable role of hearing the Gospel message.

Context

This verse is situated within Romans chapters 9-11, where Paul grapples with the question of Israel's rejection of Christ and God's faithfulness. Specifically, in chapter 10, Paul emphasizes that salvation is available to all who believe, regardless of their ethnicity, and that this belief stems from hearing the message of Christ. He asserts that while Israel pursued righteousness through law, they missed the righteousness that comes by faith (Romans 10:3). The verses immediately preceding Romans 10:14 speak of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in one's heart for salvation (Romans 10:9-10) and the universal availability of salvation to "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord" (Romans 10:13).

Key Themes

  • The Necessity of Proclamation: The verse clearly establishes that faith, and subsequent salvation, is contingent upon hearing the message. This hearing, in turn, requires someone to speak or "preach" the message. It highlights the vital role of evangelism and missions in God's plan of salvation.
  • The Logical Progression of Faith: Paul lays out a direct chain: no preacher means no hearing; no hearing means no belief; no belief means no calling upon the Lord for salvation. This progression underscores the divine order and the active participation required from believers to share the Gospel.
  • God's Universal Plan: Though discussing Israel, Paul's argument here extends to all people, emphasizing that God desires all to be saved, and His method involves the proclamation of His truth.

Linguistic Insights

The key word here is "preacher" (Greek: kēryssōn, from kēryssō). It refers to one who acts as a herald or a public crier, proclaiming a message authoritatively and publicly. It's not merely speaking, but announcing a significant truth, often on behalf of a king or sovereign. This emphasizes the authoritative and urgent nature of the Gospel message and the role of those who proclaim it.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse sets up the famous statement in Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This further solidifies the link between hearing the divine message and the development of saving faith.
  • The importance of preaching is echoed throughout the New Testament, notably in Paul's letters, such as 1 Corinthians 1:21, where God "pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
  • The underlying command for this preaching comes from Jesus himself in the Great Commission, instructing His followers to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations."
  • The subsequent verse, Romans 10:15, beautifully quotes Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" connecting the act of preaching with a divine mission and blessing.

Practical Application

Romans 10:14 serves as a powerful call to action for believers today. If people cannot believe without hearing, and cannot hear without a preacher, then the responsibility to share the Gospel falls upon those who have already believed. This verse highlights the urgent need for missions and evangelism, reminding us that our faith is not just for personal benefit, but for the salvation of others. It encourages every Christian to consider their role in making the message of Christ known, whether through direct proclamation, supporting missionaries, or living a life that points others to the truth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

  • Mark 16:16

    He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

  • Acts 26:17

    Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

  • Acts 26:18

    To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

  • Titus 1:3

    But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

  • Hebrews 11:6

    But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  • Acts 8:31

    And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

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