Romans 10 14

Romans 10:14 kjv

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 nkjv

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 niv

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Romans 10:14 esv

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?

Romans 10:14 nlt

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

Romans 10 verses

Romans 10 14 Meaning

This verse systematically outlines the divinely established and logical progression required for individuals to experience salvation. It presents a series of rhetorical questions, establishing that one cannot truly call upon the Lord for salvation unless they first believe in Him. Likewise, belief is contingent upon hearing the message about Him, and hearing, in turn, is impossible without someone sent to proclaim it. The verse powerfully emphasizes the essential role of Gospel proclamation in God's redemptive plan for humanity, demonstrating the indispensable connection between hearing, believing, calling, and salvation.

Romans 10 14 Context

Romans chapter 10 is central to Paul’s argument concerning Israel’s rejection of Christ and the accessibility of salvation to both Jew and Gentile through faith. In Rom 10:1-3, Paul expresses his fervent desire for Israel’s salvation, attributing their stumbling to seeking righteousness through their own works rather than God’s. Rom 10:4-13 emphasizes that Christ is the culmination of the Law for righteousness for everyone who believes, bridging the gap between Old Testament promises and New Testament fulfillment. It culminates in the universal declaration of Rom 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Verse 14 then serves as a logical progression and justification for how this universal calling and salvation can occur. It provides the crucial missing link in the process: if salvation is available to all who call, and this calling requires belief, then there must be a mechanism for people to hear the message that engenders that belief. Historically, the early church, and Paul himself, recognized the command of Christ to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matt 28:19) as foundational. This verse implicitly sets up the necessity of missions and evangelism as the means by which God extends His salvation to all, moving beyond Israel-specific issues to a global application of the Gospel. It challenges any notion that people will automatically come to saving faith without the deliberate, human act of proclamation.

Romans 10 14 Word analysis

• How then (Πῶς οὖν - Pōs oun): This Greek phrase is a rhetorical question that functions as a logical connector, drawing a necessary conclusion from the preceding statement in Rom 10:13. "How then" indicates an inference, positing an impossibility based on the previous assertion, framing the verse as an undeniable sequence.

• shall they call (ἐπικαλέσονται - epikalesontai): Future tense, implying an act of invoking or appealing to someone. In this context, it specifically refers to calling upon the Lord for salvation, echoing Joel 2:32 and Rom 10:13. This is an active, volitional act.

• on him (ἐν ᾦ - en hō): "Him" here refers to "the Lord" mentioned in Rom 10:9, 12, and 13 – Jesus Christ. The phrase means "in whom," indicating the object of faith and invocation.

• in whom they have not believed (οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν - ouk episteusan): Aorist tense ("did not believe"). "Believed" (from πιστεύω - pisteuō) means to trust in, be convinced of, have faith in. It signifies deep personal conviction and reliance. This establishes faith as a prerequisite for calling.

• And how (καὶ πῶς - kai pōs): Another rhetorical interrogative phrase, "And how," connecting the next step in the indispensable sequence. It reiterates the logical impossibility if the preceding condition is not met.

• shall they believe (πιστεύσωσιν - pisteusōsin): Future tense, referring to the act of belief. This phrase highlights the dependence of belief on external input rather than intrinsic knowledge.

• in him of whom they have not heard (οὗ οὐκ ἤκουσαν - hou ouk ēkousan): Aorist tense ("did not hear"). "Heard" (from ἀκούω - akouō) implies not just physical audition but also understanding, comprehending, and often accepting the message. This shows that faith is based on content received.

• And how (καὶ πῶς - kai pōs): A final rhetorical question, building the final necessary link in the chain.

• shall they hear (ἀκούσωσιν - akousōsin): Future tense, concerning the act of hearing the saving message.

• without a preacher (χωρὶς κηρύσσοντος - chōris kēryssontos): "Without" (χωρὶς - chōris) strongly emphasizes absolute impossibility. "Preacher" is from the participle κηρύσσων (kēryssōn), meaning "one who proclaims, a herald." This isn't just someone who talks, but an authorized messenger making a public, official declaration. It underscores that divine truth leading to salvation must be verbally articulated and delivered.

• "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?": This opening question links calling with belief. It makes it clear that a saving invocation of God proceeds from genuine faith and trust, not from ignorance or mere ritual. To call without believing is hollow.

• "And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?": This segment connects belief with hearing. Faith is presented as a rational response to information received, not an unfounded leap. People cannot trust what they do not know. This implies a specific message about Christ.

• "And how shall they hear without a preacher?": The final question in the series brings to the forefront the necessary human instrument. Hearing, particularly saving hearing, requires an active, sent messenger (a "herald") to convey the specific truth of the Gospel. It rules out spontaneous revelation of the saving message to all humanity without human agency.

Romans 10 14 Bonus section

• The "preacher" (κηρύσσων - kēryssōn) is directly connected to the Greek kerygma, which refers to the proclaimed message itself, specifically the Gospel. Thus, the emphasis is not merely on "speaking" but on the authoritative, public "proclamation" of a divine message.
• This passage demonstrates the concept of the ordinariness of means in God's redemptive work. While God could supernaturally reveal Himself to every individual, He chooses to work through the tangible, relational means of human communication and proclamation, thereby involving humanity in His great plan.
• While general revelation (the existence and power of God seen in creation, Rom 1:19-20) can leave people without excuse, it does not typically lead to the specific saving faith in Jesus Christ articulated here. Special revelation, delivered through the preached word, is the pathway to salvific knowledge and faith.
• Paul uses an enthymeme, a form of syllogism with an unstated premise, which would be evident to his audience: people desire to call upon the Lord (because salvation comes by it), but to do so, these steps must follow. This builds a powerful and persuasive argument.

Romans 10 14 Commentary

Romans 10:14 functions as a pivotal declaration on the necessity of evangelism within God's salvation plan. Paul articulates an irrefutable chain of causality: to be saved, one must call upon the Lord (Rom 10:13); to call, one must first believe; to believe, one must first hear about the object of faith; and crucially, to hear, someone must preach. This verse refutes the idea of universal innate saving knowledge of Christ or a passive approach to salvation. It establishes the critical, divinely appointed role of the human messenger and the spoken Word of God as the means through which faith is ignited, leading to genuine calling and salvation. The rhetorical structure underscores the inescapable conclusion that the proclamation of the Gospel is not merely an option but a vital link in the chain of God’s redemption. It is a powerful theological foundation for missions and places a profound responsibility on those who know Christ to actively share the good news.For practical usage, this verse compels believers to engage in sharing their faith, reminding us that people need to hear to believe. It urges churches to prioritize sending and supporting those called to preach. It also highlights the importance of the clear, verbal articulation of the Gospel message.