Romans 10:15
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)
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It's easy to focus on the "how" of preaching, but the point here is about the sending. The verse emphasizes that the very messengers of God's good news are beautiful not just because of their message, but because their coming signifies God actively reaching out to people. Their "beautiful feet" are a powerful image of divine initiative and arrival.
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Why does the Bible emphasize that preachers must be sent? It's more than just an official title; it speaks to the very heart of God's plan.
The verse starts with a crucial question: "And how are they to preach unless they are sent?" This isn't about how someone preaches, but about the fundamental necessity of divine authorization. God doesn't leave the proclamation of His good news to chance or human whim. There's an inherent order and a heavenly commission behind every messenger.
Divine Authorization
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The Bible calls the feet of gospel messengers 'beautiful.' What makes someone's steps so radiant, and what does this image reveal about God's heart?
The passage pivots to a quote from Isaiah 52:7, proclaiming, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" This isn't about fashion or appearance, but about the profound significance of the messenger's arrival and message.
The Radiance of the Gospel Bearer
Understand the original words
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 uses Isaiah's prophecy to emphasize that the good news of salvation doesn't spread on its own; it requires divinely sent messengers, highlighting the essential beauty and necessity of their mission to reach all people.
c. 6th century BC
Exile in Babylon
Many Jews were exiled to Babylon, cutting off many from regular access to the Temple and traditional worship in Jerusalem. This period fostered a deep longing for return and restoration.
c. 520-516 BC
Return from Exile and Temple Rebuilding
Following Cyrus's decree, many Jews returned to Judah and began rebuilding the Temple. This was a period of immense hope, yet also of struggle and opposition.
c. 520 BC— this verse
Isaiah 52:7 Prophecy
The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of a messenger whose arrival, bringing news of peace and salvation, would be incredibly beautiful and welcome. This passage speaks of ultimate restoration and God's reign.
c. 2nd Century BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek (the Septuagint). This translation of Isaiah 52:7 influenced how the passage was later quoted in the New Testament.
c. AD 50-60
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the Romans, likely from Corinth. In chapter 10, he addresses the question of why all Jews had not yet accepted Jesus as the Messiah.
This is the direct Old Testament passage Paul quotes, describing the beauty of a messenger bringing good news of peace and salvation.
Nahum 1:15This passage echoes the imagery of a messenger bringing good news, specifically about the defeat of an enemy and the end of distress, highlighting the joy associated with such tidings.
Ephesians 2:17Paul connects the preaching of the gospel to the peace it brings, both to those far off and those near, reflecting the 'gospel of peace' mentioned in Romans 10:15.
Matthew 10:16Jesus instructs his disciples to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves as they go out to preach, highlighting the 'sent' nature of their mission and the need for wisdom in its execution.
Luke 4:18-19Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61, proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord and the good news to the poor, illustrating the very message that messengers are sent to proclaim.
vincentRomans 10:15: "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
Be sent (ἀποσταλῶσιν)See on Matthew 10:16; see on Mark 4:29.Beautiful (ὡραῖοι)From ὥρα the time of full bloom or development. Hence the radical idea of the word includes both blooming maturity and vigor. Appropriate here to the swift, vigorous feet. Plato ("Republic," x. 601) distinguishes between faces…
cambridgeRomans 10:15: "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
15 . except they be sent ] Q. d., “If they be not sent, if they are held back by misguided jealousy, how can the predicted evangelization take place?” If Rabbinism were right, were in accordance with God’s will, in its practical denial of hope to the Gentiles, then missionary work, such as foretold, would be…
It's easy to focus on the "how" of preaching, but the point here is about the sending. The verse emphasizes that the very messengers of God's good news are beautiful not just because of their message, but because their coming signifies God actively reaching out to people. Their "beautiful feet" are a powerful image of divine initiative and arrival.
{ "references": [ { "reference": "Isaiah 52:7", "connection": "This is the direct Old Testament passage Paul quotes, describing a messenger bringing good news, highlighting the beauty and importance of their arrival." }, { "reference": "Jeremiah 23:21", "connection": "This verse speaks against prophets who run and speak without being sent by God, reinforcing Paul's point that legitimate preaching requires divine commission." }, { "reference": "Matthew 28:19-20", "connection": "Jesus' Great Commission directly commands his followers to 'go and make disciples of all nations,' establishing the divine sending that Paul refers to." }, { "reference": "Ephesians 2:17", "connection": "Paul here connects Christ's coming and preaching of peace to both Jews and Gentiles, showing the universality of the gospel message that these messengers proclaim." }, { "reference": "1 Corinthians 1:17", "connection": "Paul here distinguishes his primary mission of preaching the gospel from baptism, emphasizing the importance and 'sending' required for the proclamation of the cross." } ] }
{ "references": [ { "reference": "Isaiah 52:7", "connection": "This is the direct Old Testament passage Paul quotes, describing a messenger bringing good news, highlighting the beauty and importance of their arrival." }, { "reference": "Jeremiah 23:21", "connection": "This verse speaks against prophets who run and speak without being sent by God, reinforcing Paul's point that legitimate preaching requires divine commission." }, { "reference": "Matthew 28:19-20", "connection": "Jesus' Great Commission directly commands his followers to 'go and make disciples of all nations,' establishing the divine sending that Paul refers to." }, { "reference": "Ephesians 2:17", "connection": "Paul here connects Christ's coming and preaching of peace to both Jews and Gentiles, showing the universality of the gospel message that these messengers proclaim." }, { "reference": "1 Corinthians 1:17", "connection": "Paul here distinguishes his primary mission of preaching the gospel from baptism, emphasizing the importance and 'sending' required for the proclamation of the cross." } ] }
"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!”" — It's easy to focus on the "how" of preaching, but the point here is about the sending. The verse emphasizes that the very messengers of God's good news are beautiful not just because of their messa…
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