Romans 10:14 Study Bible: How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone preaching?

◄ Romans 10:14 ►

How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

Study Bible

How then can they call on the One
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question that emphasizes the necessity of belief and knowledge before one can call upon God. The Greek word for "call" (ἐπικαλέω, epikaleō) implies invoking or appealing to someone for help. In the context of Romans, Paul is addressing the importance of calling upon the Lord for salvation. Historically, calling upon the name of the Lord has been a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, signifying a personal relationship and dependence on God.

in whom they have not believed?
Belief is foundational in the Christian faith. The Greek word for "believed" (πιστεύω, pisteuō) means to have faith or trust. This phrase underscores the logical sequence that one cannot call upon God without first having faith in Him. The historical context of Paul's letter to the Romans is crucial here, as he is addressing both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing that faith in Christ is essential for salvation.

And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?
Hearing is a critical component of faith. The Greek word for "heard" (ἀκούω, akouō) implies not just hearing with the ears but understanding and internalizing the message. This phrase highlights the necessity of the proclamation of the Gospel. In the historical context, Paul is stressing the importance of evangelism and the spreading of the Gospel message so that all may have the opportunity to hear and believe.

And how can they hear without someone to preach?
Preaching is the means by which the message of Christ is communicated. The Greek word for "preach" (κηρύσσω, kērussō) means to proclaim or herald. This phrase emphasizes the role of the preacher or evangelist in God's plan of salvation. Historically, the early church relied heavily on the oral proclamation of the Gospel, and Paul himself was a key figure in spreading the message to the Gentiles.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the Roman Christians, emphasizing the necessity of preaching for faith to arise.

2. Roman Christians
The recipients of the letter, living in a diverse and often challenging environment for early Christians.

3. Preachers/Messengers
Those who are called to proclaim the Gospel so that others may hear and believe.

4. Unbelievers
The individuals who have not yet heard or believed in the Gospel, highlighting the need for evangelism.

5. The Gospel
The message of salvation through Jesus Christ, central to the passage and the mission of the Church.

Teaching Points

The Necessity of Preaching
Preaching is essential for people to hear and believe the Gospel. Without it, the message of salvation cannot reach those who need it.

The Role of Faith in Salvation
Faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. Believers are called to share their faith so others can come to believe.

The Responsibility of Believers
Every Christian has a role in spreading the Gospel, whether through direct preaching or supporting those who do.

The Urgency of Evangelism
There is an urgent need for evangelism, as many have not yet heard the Gospel. Believers should be motivated by love and compassion to share the message.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses, ensuring that the message of Christ is proclaimed with power and conviction.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Romans 10:14 challenge your current understanding of the importance of preaching and evangelism in your life?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in spreading the Gospel, even if you are not called to be a preacher?

3. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 relate to the message of Romans 10:14?

4. Reflect on a time when you heard the Gospel and it impacted your faith. How can you share a similar experience with others?

5. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you in your efforts to share the Gospel with those who have not yet heard?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Matthew 28:19-20
The Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, aligns with the necessity of preaching mentioned in Romans 10:14.

Isaiah 52:7
This Old Testament prophecy speaks of the beauty of those who bring good news, paralleling the role of preachers in Romans 10:14.

Acts 1:8
Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit empowering believers to be His witnesses connects to the call for preaching in Romans 10:14.

1 Corinthians 1:21
Paul discusses how God uses the "foolishness" of preaching to save those who believe, reinforcing the importance of proclaiming the Gospel.

Sermons

The Natural History of Faith	R.M. Edgar	Romans 10:12-21
The Universality of the Gospel	T.F. Lockyer	Romans 10:12-21
Four Questions for Every Christian	C.H. Irwin	Romans 10:14, 15
Hearing Versus Reading	T. R. Stevenson.	Romans 10:14-15
Missionary Obligation	T. Chalmers, D.D.	Romans 10:14-15
Preaching	John Foster.	Romans 10:14-15
Preaching: its Necessity	J. Lyth, D.D.	Romans 10:14-15
Salvation Preached	R. D. Hitchcock, D.D.	Romans 10:14-15
The Christian Missionary	J. Lyth, D.D.	Romans 10:14-15
The Gospel Indifferent to the Means of its Conveyance	W. Cecil, M.A.	Romans 10:14-15
The Gospel of Peace	Essex Congregational Remembrancer	Romans 10:14-15
The Gospel of Peace	Elnathan Parr, B.D.	Romans 10:14-15
The Gospel of Peace	J. Dyer.	Romans 10:14-15
The Messenger of Mercy	J. Lyth, D.D.	Romans 10:14-15
The Music of the Gospel	J. Somerville.	Romans 10:14-15
The Necessity of a Proper Commission for a Minister	W. Gurnall.	Romans 10:14-15
The Necessity of Revelation to Faith	W. Archer Butler, M.A.	Romans 10:14-15
The Preacher's Feet Beautiful	J. Morison, D.D., T. Robinson, D.D.	Romans 10:14-15
The Usefulness and Authority of an Established Ministry	N. Brady.	Romans 10:14-15

People

Esaias, Isaiah, Israelites, Paul, Romans

Places

Rome

Topics

Apart, Believe, Believed, Faith, News, Preacher, Preaches, Preaching, Someone, Voice, Worship

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Romans 10:14

1690 word of God

Romans 10:12-14

8640 calling upon God

Romans 10:13-15

7726 evangelists, ministry

Romans 10:14-15

     1445   revelation, responses
     2427   gospel, transmission
     5263   communication
     6628   conversion, God's demand
     7741   missionaries, task
     7755   preaching, importance
     7953   mission, of church

Romans 10:14-16

5426 news
8836 unbelief, response

Romans 10:14-17

6183 ignorance, of God
8025 faith, origins of

Library

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Progress of the Gospel
Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world. T he heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) . The grandeur of the arch over our heads, the number and lustre of the stars, the beauty of the light, the splendour of the sun, the regular succession of day and night, and of the seasons of the year, are such proofs of infinite wisdom and power, that the Scripture attributes to them a voice, a universal language, intelligible to all mankind, accommodated to every capacity. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

How Can I Obtain Faith?
May the Spirit of God assist us while we meditate upon the way by which faith cometh. This shall be followed by a brief indication of certain obstructions which often lie in that way; and then we will conclude by dwelling upon the importance that faith should come to us by that appointed road. I. First, then, THE WAY BY WHICH FAITH COMES TO MEN. "Faith cometh by hearing." It may help to set the truth out more clearly, if we say, negatively, that it does not come by any other process than by hearing;--not …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Christ the End of the Law
The reason why many do not come to Christ is not because they are not earnest, after a fashion, and thoughtful and desirous to be saved, but because they cannot brook God's way of salvation. "They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge," We do get them by our exhortation so far on the way that they become desirous to obtain eternal life, but "they have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God." Mark, "submitted themselves," for it needs submission. Proud man wants to save …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 22: 1876

A Simple Sermon for Seeking Souls
Now, I think, I shall not this morning err in his point of view, for I shall assume that some of my congregation, at least, are totally unacquainted with the great plan of salvation. And you that know it well, and have tried its preciousness, will bear with me, I am sure, whilst I try in the simplest words that human lips can put together to tell out the story of how men are lost, and how men are saved according to the words of my text by calling upon the name of the Lord. Well then, we must begin …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Barriers Broken Down
YOU THAT HAVE YOUR BIBLES OPEN, kindly follow me from the first verse of the chapter. It begins, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." If you really desire that men should be saved, pray for them. It is an empty wish, a mere formality, if you do not turn it into prayer. Every loving desire for any man or woman should, by the believer, be taken before God in prayer. We cannot expect that God will save men unless his people pray for it. There must …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility
The system of truth is not one straight line, but two. No man will ever get a right view of the gospel until he knows how to look at the two lines at once. I am taught in one book to believe that what I sow I shall reap: I am taught in another place, that "it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy." I see in one place, God presiding over all in providence; and yet I see, and I cannot help seeing, that man acts as he pleases, and that God has left his actions …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church.
IN the city of Geneva, once the stronghold of the severest creed of the Reformation, Christianity itself has of late years received some very rude shocks. But special attempts have been recently made to counteract their effects and to re-organize the Christian congregations upon Evangelical principles. In pursuance of this design, there have been delivered and published during the last few years a series of addresses by distinguished persons holding Evangelical sentiments, entitled Séances …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Confirmation.
In our studies concerning the methods of Grace, or the application of the Salvation purchased by Christ, to the sinful race of Adam's children, we necessarily had to begin with the new-born child. We noted the first known operations of Grace at the baptismal font. We traced the infant through the holy influences received at a Christian mother's knee, and in the nurture of a Christian home. We followed up through the lessons and influences of the Church's nursery, the Sunday-school, and from thence …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Faith in the Sacred Scriptures.
"With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." --Rom. x. 10. Calvin says beautifully and comprehensively that the object of saving faith is none other than the Mediator, and invariably in the garments of the Sacred Scriptures. This should be accepted unconditionally. Saving faith is possible, therefore, only in sinful men and so long as they remain sinful. To suppose that saving faith existed already in Paradise is to destroy the order of …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Which Sentence Dishonoreth the Holy Martyrs, Nay Rather Taketh Away Holy Martyrdoms Altogether. ...
3. Which sentence dishonoreth the holy Martyrs, nay rather taketh away holy martyrdoms altogether. For they would do more justly and wisely, according to these men, not to confess to their persecutors that they were Christians, and by confessing make them murderers: but rather by telling a lie, and denying what they were, should both themselves keep safe the convenience of the flesh and purpose of the heart, and not allow those to accomplish the wickedness which they had conceived in their mind. …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Or Haply is it So, that He who Plots in this Way to Find...
13. Or haply is it so, that he who plots in this way to find out Priscillianists, denies not Christ, forasmuch as with his mouth he utters what with his heart he believes not? As if truly (which I also said a little above) when it was said, "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness," it was added to no purpose, "with the mouth confession is made unto salvation?" [2398] Is it not so that almost all who have denied Christ before the persecutors, held in their heart what they believed of Him? …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Christ Our Righteousness.
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (I. Cor. i. 30, 31). In this language Paul affirms that Christ is our righteousness. This is a momentous thought. It goes to the heart of the scheme of redemption. How is Christ our righteousness? What does Paul mean by the affirmation? The very life of Christianity is involved in the answer. …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Letter v. Yes, My Dear Friend, it is My Conviction that in all Ordinary Cases the Knowledge...
Yes, my dear friend, it is my conviction that in all ordinary cases the knowledge and belief of the Christian Religion should precede the study of the Hebrew Canon. Indeed, with regard to both Testaments, I consider oral and catechismal instruction as the preparative provided by Christ himself in the establishment of a visible Church. And to make the Bible, apart from the truths, doctrines, and spiritual experiences contained therein, the subject of a special article of faith, I hold an unnecessary …
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc

Receive, My Children, the Rule of Faith, which is Called the Symbol or Creed. ...
1. Receive, my children, the Rule of Faith, which is called the Symbol (or Creed [1762] ). And when ye have received it, write it in your heart, and be daily saying it to yourselves; before ye sleep, before ye go forth, arm you with your Creed. The Creed no man writes so as it may be able to be read: but for rehearsal of it, lest haply forgetfulness obliterate what care hath delivered, let your memory be your record-roll: [1763] what ye are about to hear, that are ye to believe; and what ye shall …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds

Moreover Moses in Deuteronomy Says that the Gentiles Should be the Head...
Moreover Moses in Deuteronomy says that the Gentiles should be the head, and the unbelieving people the tail. And again he says: Ye provoked me to jealousy with those that are no gods, and angered me with your idols: and I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, and with a foolish nation will I anger you. (Cf. Rom. x. 19) Because they forsook the God who is, and worshipped and served the gods who are not; and they slew the prophets of God, and prophesied for Baal, who was the idol …
Irenæus—The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

Epistle xvi. To Mauricius, Augustus.
To Mauricius, Augustus. Gregory to Mauricius, &c. Seeing that in you, most Christian of princes, uncorrupt soundness of faith shines as a beam sent down from heaven, and that it is known to all that your Serenity embraces fervently and loves with entire devotion of heart the pure profession in which by God's favour you are powerful, we have perceived it to be very necessary to make request for those whom one and the same faith enlightens, to the end that the Piety of our lords may protect them with …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ.
"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh." Few characters more remarkable than that of St. Paul, are to be found in history. He is introduced to our acquaintance on a tragical occasion--the martyrdom of Stephen, where he appears an accomplice with murderers--"he was standing by and consenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him." The circumstances of Paul's conversion to Christianity were very remarkable, and …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Twenty-First Day for God's Spirit on the Jews
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on the Jews "I will pour out upon the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and Supplication; and they shall look unto Me whom they pierced."--ZECH. xii. 10. "Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved."--ROM. x. 1. Pray for the Jews. Their return to the God of their fathers stands connected, in a way we cannot tell, with wonderful blessing to the Church, and with the coming of our …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c. II. The Christian's chief employment should be to seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. "Seek first," &c. Upon this he should first and chiefly spend his thoughts, and affections, and pains. We comprehend it in three things. First, He should seek to be clothed upon with Christ's righteousness, and this ought to take up all his spirit. This is the first care and the chief concern. Did not this righteousness weigh much …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Regeneration and Faith.
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."--1 Peter i. 23. There is a possible objection to what has been said above concerning regeneration. It is evident that God's Word, and therefore our symbols of faith, offers a modified representation of these things which, superficially considered, seems to condemn our representation. This representation, which does not consider children, but adults, may thus be stated: Among a …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

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