Romans 10:14
How then will 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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul presents a powerful, cascading chain reaction: to call on God, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; and to hear, there must be a preacher. This highlights that the very possibility of salvation hinges on the physical act of someone sharing the message, making human proclamation absolutely essential to God's plan.
Paul is building an argument to show the necessity of spreading the gospel, particularly to the Gentiles. He has just affirmed that salvation is available to everyone who calls on the Lord, regardless of background. This passage then poses a series of rhetorical questions, starting from the act of calling on God and working backward, to establish the foundational steps required for salvation.
Ever wondered how faith actually works its way into someone's heart? Paul lays out a powerful, step-by-step process here.
Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to show how salvation unfolds. It's a beautiful, logical chain reaction:
This isn't just a random sequence; it shows God's intentional plan to reach people through the message being proclaimed.
If God can do anything, why does He need people to preach? Paul's questions reveal a profound truth about God's method.
Paul's questions highlight that God, in His wisdom, has chosen to use human messengers to spread the gospel.
Understand the original words
kērussontos · Greek Verb
To proclaim, herald, or announce publicly; specifically used for the proclamation of the Christian gospel as a divine mandate to bring others to faith.
This passage unfolds in a context where the Jewish people, having received God's promises, are grappling with the idea of salvation extending to Gentiles. Paul's argument highlights the essential, sequential steps required for anyone, Jew or Gentile, to come to God: a divine mission to preach, the hearing of that message, belief in the preacher's message, and finally, calling on God for salvation. This directly challenges any exclusivist notion by emphasizing God's design for universal access to Himself through the gospel.
c. 700s BC
Prophetic Promises of Inclusivity
Prophets like Isaiah foretell a future salvation that will extend beyond Israel to the Gentiles, hinting at a broadening of God's plan.
c. 500s BC
Babylonian Exile and Return
The Babylonian exile and subsequent return to Jerusalem hardened some Jewish perspectives, emphasizing a rigid adherence to the Law and a separation from Gentiles.
Early 1st century AD
Jewish Messianic Expectations
Widespread anticipation of a Messiah who would restore Israel's glory, often with an exclusive focus on the Jewish people.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The pivotal events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, which form the core of the Christian message.
This Old Testament passage, which Paul quotes in Romans 10:15, speaks of the beauty of messengers bringing good news of salvation, directly supporting the idea that preaching is essential for people to hear and believe.
Matthew 28:19-20Jesus' Great Commission to His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations highlights the divine mandate for spreading the gospel message, underscoring the necessity of 'preachers' being sent.
This passage shows Philip encountering and explaining the Scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch, demonstrating a practical example of how hearing the Word through a preacher leads to faith and baptism.
This verse emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, which aligns with Paul's argument that faith must be preceded by hearing the message of God's grace.
John 3:16The foundational truth that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son sets the stage for why this message of salvation must be proclaimed, so that all who believe might have eternal life.
cambridgeRomans 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?"
14 . How then , &c.] This is an argument for the evangelization of the heathen, as against the jealous reserve of Pharisaic Judaism. Q. d., “The prophets announce a salvation for all who turn to Messiah; but these must first believe Him to be able to save; but believers must first be hearers; therefore there mu…
meyerRomans 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?"
Romans 10:14-15 . Introduction: In order now that men should call on the name of the Lord, it is necessary that they should have been believing, hearing, preaching, and that the sending forth of preachers should have taken place, which sending forth also the Scripture prophesies . The object of this introductio…
Paul presents a powerful, cascading chain reaction: to call on God, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; and to hear, there must be a preacher. This highlights that the very possibility of salvation hinges on the physical act of someone sharing the message, making human proclamation absolutely essential to God's plan.
Paul is building an argument to show the necessity of spreading the gospel, particularly to the Gentiles. He has just affirmed that salvation is available to everyone who calls on the Lord, regardless of background. This passage then poses a series of rhetorical questions, starting from the act of calling on God and working backward, to establish the foundational steps required for salvation.
Paul is building an argument to show the necessity of spreading the gospel, particularly to the Gentiles. He has just affirmed that salvation is available to everyone who calls on the Lord, regardless of background. This passage then poses a series of rhetorical questions, starting from the act of calling on God and working backward, to establish the foundational steps required for salvation.
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This isn't about the preacher's eloquence, but about their obedience to God's call to share His life-changing message.
c. AD 30s-50s
Early Spread of the Gospel
The apostles and early followers begin to preach the gospel message, initially to Jewish communities and then, with growing conviction, to Gentiles.
c. AD 50s— this verse
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul undertakes extensive missionary journeys, establishing churches and actively proclaiming Christ to both Jews and Gentiles across the Roman Empire.
c. AD 60-62
Writing of Romans
Paul writes his letter to the church in Rome, articulating the theological framework of the gospel and addressing the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's plan.
"How then will 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?" — Paul presents a powerful, cascading chain reaction: to call on God, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; and to hear, there must be a preacher. This highlights that the very possibility of sa…
