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Romans 10:17 declares, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (NKJV). The English Standard Version phrases it as: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” In the context of Romans, the term “word of God” is interchangeable with “word of Christ.” This “word” refers to the gospel, also known as “the Good News about Christ,” as stated in The New Living Translation of Romans 10:17.
Romans 10 continues the discourse from the preceding chapter, where Paul discusses the salvation of the Jews, God’s chosen people. He acknowledges the fervor of many Jews “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”, (Romans 10:2) but highlights that their zeal is misplaced as they reject the salvation offered through Christ. Instead, they pursue righteousness through the law (verse 3). Paul then contrasts obedience to the law with faith, underscoring the simplicity of the latter. The key point is that Christ and His message are easily accessible to all, necessitating confession and belief (verses 6–13). However, this message must first be heard, and those who proclaim it have “beautiful feet” (verse 15;cf: Isaiah 52:7). Paul then summarizes the idea introduced at the start of the chapter by stating, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”, (Romans 10:17, NKJV).
Hearing through the Word of God is crucial because faith cannot arise unless there is a message to be believed—and that message is found in the Word of God. Hearing by the Word of God leads to salvation.By placing our trust in the good news, we demonstrate faith. Christ, the Son of God, came to redeem sinners and reconcile us with the Father. When we have faith in Christ, God declares us righteous, “even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22). Paul emphasizes both the idea of salvation by grace through faith and the importance of sharing the message that people must hear.
At this juncture, skeptics and inquisitive believers may question the destiny of those who have never encountered the gospel. Initially, we must recognize that no one is completely unaware of God because His general revelation is apparent to all (Romans 1:19-20). Even individuals in remote tribes possess a sense of the divine. Furthermore, God assures a just judgment, giving each person their due (see Romans 2:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15). Regrettably, humanity frequently rejects this general revelation, opting to defy God or striving to attain righteousness through their own endeavors.
It would be just for God to judge us based on our defiance of His general revelation and the laws we have violated. We cannot claim that God is unjust when He judges those who have not heard the gospel. Upon reading the account of Cornelius in Acts 10, we can reasonably infer that God has methods of reaching anyone. As Christians, our duty is to provide what humans do not merit: the gift of grace. We should fulfill our role, making our feet “beautiful” by spreading the gospel. There is no subtlety or intricacy beyond God’s wisdom.
Believers also require daily exposure to the Word of God to fortify their faith. While the gospel, in its specific sense, relates to salvation, in a broader sense, it encompasses teachings on how to live a godly life.In a broader sense, it encompasses the entire Scripture. The metanarrative spans from creation to the fall, leading to redemption and restoration. Therefore, Christians who regularly interact with Scriptures can apply the principle of Romans 10:17. As we recall God, His actions, and promises, our confidence increases.
