Romans 10:14-15
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Paul here uses a powerful "downward chain" of necessity: to call on God, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; and to hear, someone must preach. This isn't just a logical sequence, but a beautiful illustration of God's commitment to bringing His message to us through human messengers.
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? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building a case, tracing the essential steps needed for salvation: from calling on God, to believing in Him, to hearing the message about Him, and finally, to someone proclaiming that message. This chain of events highlights the absolute necessity of spreading the gospel, especially to those who haven't heard it yet. The following verses will explore how Israel's own history and Scripture prove that this mission to preach has indeed been fulfilled, even if not everyone has obeyed.
Ever wonder why you hear about God's love? It’s not by accident. The very foundation of faith rests on a crucial, often overlooked, step.
Paul lays out a logical chain in Romans 10:14, starting with the most fundamental need: hearing. He asks, 'How are they to hear without someone preaching?' This isn't just a rhetorical question; it's a declaration of God's chosen method. God doesn't bypass human communication. He uses people to share His message. This means that the act of preaching isn't merely informational; it's instrumental. It's the divine appointment for opening ears and minds to the Gospel. Without someone being sent to speak, the message of salvation remains unheard, and the chain is broken before it even begins.
Hearing the message is essential, but it's only the first step. What transforms a message into something life-changing?
Paul continues his chain: 'And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?' This highlights that hearing the message is a prerequisite for belief. But it's more than just passively receiving information. Belief here implies a deep trust and conviction in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It's an active response to the message preached. Without hearing about who Jesus is, His sacrifice, and His resurrection, genuine faith – a faith that trusts and commits – is impossible. The Gospel message is the object of faith, and it must be heard to be believed.
Ask a follow-up
Why all this emphasis on hearing and believing? What's the ultimate purpose God intends for humanity?
Paul concludes this part of his argument with the ultimate aim: 'How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?' The chain culminates in the act of calling on the Lord – prayer. This isn't just any prayer; it's prayer offered by those who have heard the Gospel, believed in Christ, and are thus confident in God's willingness and ability to hear and answer. To call on God presupposes belief in His very existence, His power, and His character as revealed in Christ. This is the highest expression of reliance on God, and it is made possible only through the preceding steps of hearing and believing the Gospel message.
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.
apostalōsin · Greek Verb
Being commissioned, dispatched, or authorized by God to carry out a specific mission or message.
euangelizomenōn · Greek Verb
The 'evangel' or message of salvation; the announcement of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity.
Paul's rhetorical questions highlight the absolute necessity of the gospel message being proclaimed. Without hearing, there can be no faith, and without faith, no calling upon God for salvation. This underscores why Paul saw his mission to the Gentiles as divinely ordained and urgent.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah falls to the Babylonians, its Temple is destroyed, and many of its people are deported. This event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and their understanding of God's relationship with His people, leading to a greater emphasis on written law and messianic hope.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Decree
The Persian king Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homeland and rebuild their religious centers.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, marking a significant moment of restoration and continuity for the Jewish people, though it lacks the splendor of Solomon's Temple.
c. 323 BC
Hellenistic Period Begins
Following Alexander the Great's conquests, Greek culture and language spread throughout the Near East, influencing Jewish society and leading to the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek.
c. 63 BC
Roman Rule in Judea
The Roman Republic conquers Judea, establishing a new political order that will profoundly impact the region and set the stage for the events of the New Testament.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified in Jerusalem under Roman authority. This event is central to Christian faith, seen as a sacrifice for sins and the foundation of the new covenant.
c. AD 57-60— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Rome from Corinth or Ephesus. He is grappling with the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan and the role of the Jewish people, advocating for a unified church that acknowledges Christ as Savior for all.
This Old Testament passage is directly quoted by Paul in Romans 10:15 as the basis for the necessity of preachers. It illustrates the beauty and urgency of announcing good news, which Paul applies to the gospel message.
Matthew 28:19-20Jesus commissions his disciples to 'go and make disciples of all nations,' which directly parallels the necessity of preaching and sending out those who will proclaim the gospel message, as argued in Romans 10:14.
This passage shows an angel directing Philip to go preach to the Ethiopian eunuch. It highlights the divine sending and purposeful action required for the gospel to reach those who have not heard.
Jesus speaks about the fields being ripe for harvest, urging his disciples to go and reap. This emphasizes the readiness of people to hear and the divine initiative to send laborers into the world to proclaim the message.
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 here uses a powerful "downward chain" of necessity: to call on God, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; and to hear, someone must preach. This isn't just a logical sequence, but a beautiful illustration of God's commitment to bringing His message to us through human messengers.
Paul is building a case, tracing the essential steps needed for salvation: from calling on God, to believing in Him, to hearing the message about Him, and finally, to someone proclaiming that message. This chain of events highlights the absolute necessity of spreading the gospel, especially to those who haven't heard it yet. The following verses will explore how Israel's own history and Scripture prove that this mission to preach has indeed been fulfilled, even if not everyone has obeyed.
Paul is building a case, tracing the essential steps needed for salvation: from calling on God, to believing in Him, to hearing the message about Him, and finally, to someone proclaiming that message. This chain of events highlights the absolute necessity of spreading the gospel, especially to those who haven't heard it yet. The following verses will explore how Israel's own history and Scripture prove that this mission to preach has indeed been fulfilled, even if not everyone has obeyed.
"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? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is…" — Paul here uses a powerful "downward chain" of necessity: to call on God, you must believe; to believe, you must hear; and to hear, someone must preach. This isn't just a logical sequence, but a beaut…
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Last reviewed October 2026
