Introduction
Paul continues his passionate exposition of salvation by grace through faith by asking a series of logical, escalating questions. If salvation is by calling on the name of the Lord, how will people call on Him unless they believe? And how can they believe unless they hear? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Romans 10:14–21 is both a missional manifesto and a heartbreaking summary of Israel’s continued rejection of the gospel. These verses emphasize the necessity of preaching, the beauty of the message, and the tragedy of hardened hearts.
Exposition and Key Themes
1. The Chain of Salvation (Romans 10:14–15)
“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?”
Paul lays out a beautiful chain of cause and effect:
- Calling requires believing
- Believing requires hearing
- Hearing requires preaching
- Preaching requires someone to be sent
This is a heaven-sent mission rooted in the proclamation of the gospel.
Cross-reference: Isaiah 6:8 – “Here am I! Send me.”
2. The Beauty of Gospel Proclamation (Romans 10:15b)
“As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”
Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7. The imagery of beautiful feet is symbolic—not about physical beauty but about the preciousness of those who carry God’s message of peace and salvation.
Application: Gospel proclamation is not a duty—it is a beautiful, God-honoring calling.
3. The Problem of Unbelief (Romans 10:16)
“But they have not all obeyed the gospel.”
Even though the message has gone out, not all have responded. This anticipates the sorrow Paul expressed at the beginning of the chapter. Rejection of the gospel is not a result of God’s failure, but man’s refusal.
Cross-reference: Isaiah 53:1 – “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
4. Faith Comes by Hearing (Romans 10:17)
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
This is a foundational principle: faith is born when people hear the message of Christ. The Word—specifically the gospel—must be preached clearly for belief to be possible.
Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 1:21 – God chose the “foolishness of preaching” to save.
5. The Message Was Heard, But Not Heeded (Romans 10:18–21)
Paul anticipates the objection: Did Israel not hear? Yes, they did. The message went out.
“Their voice has gone out to all the earth…”
He quotes Psalm 19:4 to affirm that the message of God’s glory, and now His gospel, has echoed across the world.
Paul then cites Moses and Isaiah to show that this rejection was foreseen. God has extended His hand to a disobedient and contrary people.
Cross-reference: Deuteronomy 32:21, Isaiah 65:2
Life Application
- Am I a messenger of the gospel?
Have you seen the beauty of sharing the good news? Are you part of the chain God uses to bring others to faith? - Do I value the preached Word?
Preaching is not outdated—it is the ordained means of gospel transmission. Faith comes through hearing! - Am I responding to the message I’ve heard?
Hearing alone is not enough. God calls us to respond in faith. - Do I grieve for those who reject the gospel?
Like Paul, do you pray and plead for the hardened hearts around you? - Am I extending grace even when rejected?
God still holds out His hands to the disobedient. Will you?
Conclusion
Romans 10:14–21 is both a call to missions and a lament over rejection. It shows us that while not everyone will believe, everyone must hear. And hearing only happens when someone is sent. This passage charges every believer to treasure the gospel, proclaim it boldly, and weep for those who have not yet received it.
Let our feet be beautiful. Let our mouths be bold. Let our hearts break for the lost. Let our lives echo the words: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”