Romans 10:17

This pivotal verse from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans succinctly encapsulates the origin and nature of saving faith. It declares, "So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Context

Romans 10:17 serves as a powerful conclusion to Paul's argument regarding the pathway to salvation, particularly emphasizing God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles. In the preceding verses (Romans 10:14-15), Paul poses a series of rhetorical questions highlighting the necessity of hearing the message, believing, calling on the Lord, and the crucial role of those who are sent to preach. Verse 17 thus affirms that the process begins with the divine message being proclaimed and received.

Key Themes

• The Divine Origin of Faith: Faith is not something we conjure up ourselves; it is a gift and a response that arises from an encounter with God's truth. It underscores that belief is initiated by God's revelation, not human effort alone.
• The Centrality of Hearing: The verse emphasizes the active reception of a message. It's not just about sound waves reaching the ear, but about the mind and heart engaging with the proclaimed truth. This "hearing" is the conduit through which faith is imparted.
• The Authority and Power of God's Word: Crucially, the hearing that produces faith is specifically "by the word of God." This specifies the unique source of saving faith. It is not human wisdom, philosophy, or mere opinion, but the authoritative, living, and powerful word of the Almighty (Hebrews 4:12). This is the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "hearing" is akoē (ἀκοή), which can refer both to the act of hearing and to the message or report that is heard. In this context, it strongly implies the message being proclaimed. The phrase "the word of God" translates from the Greek rhēma Theou (ῥῆμα Θεοῦ). While logos (λόγος) often refers to the broader concept of divine reason or the eternal Word (as in John 1:1), rhēma typically denotes a specific, spoken utterance or declaration. This highlights that faith comes from the specific, proclaimed message of God, often through preaching.

Practical Application

Romans 10:17 has profound implications for Christian life and ministry:

• Importance of Evangelism: If faith comes by hearing, then it is imperative for believers to proclaim the word of God to those who have not yet heard. This verse directly underpins the missionary mandate.
• Value of Scripture: For believers, it stresses the ongoing necessity of engaging with God's word – through reading, studying, meditating, and hearing it preached. This continuous immersion strengthens and nurtures faith.
• Dependence on God's Revelation: It reminds us that our faith is not based on subjective feelings or human reasoning alone, but on the objective, revealed truth of God. This foundation provides stability and assurance.

In essence, this verse teaches that God has ordained a specific means by which people come to faith: through the active reception of His divine, spoken message, primarily the good news of Jesus Christ.