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Romans 10:14
Verse
Context
The Word Brings Salvation
13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”14How 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? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
How then shall they call on him - As the apostle had laid so much stress on believing in order to salvation, and as this doctrine, without farther explanation, might be misunderstood, it was necessary to show how this faith was produced; and therefore he lays the whole doctrine down in a beautifully graduated order. 1. There can be no salvation without the Gospel: a dispensation of mercy and grace from God alone, here called, Rom 10:15, the Gospel of peace; glad tidings of good things. 2. This must be preached, proclaimed in the world for the obedience of faith. 3. None can effectually preach this unless he have a Divine mission; for how shall they preach except they be Sent, Rom 10:15. The matter must come from God; and the person mho proclaims it must have both authority and unction from on high. 4. This Divinely-commissioned person must be heard: it is the duty of all, to whom this message of salvation is sent, to hear it with the deepest reverence and attention. 5. What is heard must be credited; for they who do not believe the Gospel as the record which God has given of his Son cannot be saved, Rom 10:14. 6. Those who believe must invoke God by Christ, which they cannot do unless they believe in him; and in this way alone they are to expect salvation. Professing to believe in Christ, without earnest, importunate prayer for salvation, can save no man. All these things the apostle lays down as essentially necessary; and they all follow from his grand proposition, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. But, says the apostle, How shall they Call upon 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? And how shall they Preach except they be sent? And with what message which can bring salvation can they be sent, but with the Gospel of Peace, the Glad Tidings Of Good Things. When, therefore, there is: 1st, a proper Message; 2ndly, a proper Messenger; 3rdly, the message Preached, proclaimed, or properly delivered by him; 4thly, the proclamation properly Heard and attentively considered by the people; 5thly, the message which they have heard, conscientiously Believed; 6thly, the name of the Lord Jesus, by whom alone this salvation is provided, most fervently Invoked; then, 7thly, salvation, or redemption from sin and misery, and the enjoyment of peace and happiness, will be the result of such calling, believing, hearing, preaching, sending, and message sent: - and thus the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith is guarded from abuse.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and . . . believe in him of whom they have not heard? and . . . hear without a preacher? and . . . preach except . . . sent?--that is, "True, the same Lord over all is rich unto all alike that call upon Him. But this calling implies believing, and believing hearing, and hearing preaching, and preaching a mission to preach: Why, then, take ye it so ill, O children of Abraham, that in obedience to our heavenly mission (Act 26:16-18) we preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ?"
John Gill Bible Commentary
How then shall they call on him in whom they, have not believed?.... The apostle having observed, that whoever, Jew or Gentile, believe in the Lord and call upon his name, shall be saved; and that the same Lord was ready and willing to dispense his grace, without any difference to them; suggests, that it was therefore absolutely necessary, that the Gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, as well as to the Jews; that it was the will of God it should be; that what he and others did, was by a divine commission; that they were sent by the Lord to preach the Gospel to them; that hearing they might believe, and so call upon the name of the Lord, and be saved; and therefore the Jews ought not to blame them for so doing, for there was a real necessity for it, since there can be no true calling upon God without faith, no faith without hearing, no hearing without preaching, and no preaching without a divine mission. The first of these is signified by this interrogation. Every man calls upon the God he believes in, and him only; this has been the practice of all men, in all nations; such as have not believed in God and Christ, do not call upon them; it is true indeed, there may be an external invocation of them, where there is no true faith; but then this is not calling upon them in truth and sincerity; as is their faith, so is their calling upon them; as the one is historical, the other is only external; there is no true invocation without faith, or any that is acceptable to God, or of any avail to men; for calling on the name of the Lord, as it ought to be practised in all religious worship, so it includes and every part of worship as done in faith: and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? the meaning is, that there is no faith in Christ without hearing of him; as it is in human, so in divine faith, there may be believing without seeing, but not without hearing; so we believe that there were such men as Alexander and Julius Caesar, and other persons now in being, though we never saw them, having heard of them, or had a report made of them, which we have reason to give credit to; so there may be, and is faith in Christ without seeing him with our bodily eyes, though not without hearing of him; for of an unheard of person, there can be no faith in him, because no exercise of thought about him. This is to be understood of outward hearing of the word, and of adult persons only; for that, infants may have the grace of regeneration, and so faith wrought in them by the Spirit of God, without hearing the word, is not to be denied; since as they are capable of the principles of corruption, why not of grace? and also of such persons as have the right and free exercise of the faculties of hearing and speaking, and not of such who never could hear, and speak; for as the Spirit works where, and how he pleases, so he can work faith in the hearts of such persons who never heard the word, and enable them to exercise it on the proper object, and cause them secretly to call upon the name of the Lord, with groans which cannot be uttered. Moreover, this is to be, understood of the ordinary way and means of believing; for though God can, and sometimes does work by other means, and even without any, yet his usual way and method is, to bring men to faith and repentance by the hearing of the word: and how shall they hear without a preacher? or there is no hearing without, preaching; there may be reading without it, and this ought to be where there is preaching, to see that what is preached is agreeably to the Scriptures; but there is no hearing the word explained without preaching; explaining the word is preaching. There is no hearing of Christ, and salvation by him, without the preaching of the Gospel; the usual and ordinary way of hearing from God, and of Christ, is by the ministry of the word: this shows not only the necessity and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, but also points out the subject matter of it, which is Christ, and him crucified. They that preach ought to preach concerning the person of Christ, his offices, grace, righteousness, blood, sacrifice and satisfaction, otherwise men may hear the preacher, and not hear Christ.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:14 It is natural to presume that the pronoun they refers to “all who call on him” from 10:12 or “everyone” from 10:13. While this verse probably does refer to all people, it also continues the accusation against Israel from 10:2-3 (see 10:18). Paul argues that Israel was in a position to know what God was doing through Jesus Christ, so they were culpable for their failure to understand or accept it. Israel was guilty both of failing to understand God’s plan in light of Christ (10:3-4) and of focusing so much attention on the law that they missed Christ when he arrived (9:30-32).
Romans 10:14
The Word Brings Salvation
13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”14How 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? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
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- Sermons
- Commentary
(Om Orientation) Our Situation - Warfare - Part 1
By George Verwer4.0K22:47Spiritual WarfareMAT 9:36MAT 28:19LUK 14:25ACT 1:8ROM 10:14In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the current state of the world and the shocking reality of billions of souls suffering physically and spiritually. He emphasizes the need for individuals to have a transformative encounter with God, just as Paul did on the road to Damascus. The speaker also highlights the power of prayer and the impact that believers can have in shaking the foundations of society. The sermon serves as an orientation session for upcoming crusades in Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East, urging young people to count the cost and fully commit to following Christ. The speaker calls for a deep understanding of the Bible and a willingness to live out its principles in order to reach millions of souls for Christ.
The Menace of the Religious Movie (Reading)
By A.W. Tozer3.3K45:43Religious MovieMAT 3:3ROM 10:14REV 14:13In this sermon transcript, the preacher argues against the use of movies as a medium for teaching religious truth. The preacher claims that movies lack scriptural authority and are not one of the four methods ordained by God for spreading truth. The four methods mentioned are prayer, song, proclamation of the message through words, and good works. The preacher emphasizes the importance of words and argues that pictures and dramatics cannot express vital spiritual truths. Additionally, the preacher criticizes the idea that religion should be entertaining and highlights the negative impact it has had on evangelical media and literature.
Cross Talk Show 1 - Part 1
By K.P. Yohannan2.9K08:33MAT 6:21MAT 6:24MRK 8:36LUK 16:10ROM 10:14ROM 10:171CO 9:161TI 6:101JN 2:15This sermon emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel with those who have not heard, highlighting the need for believers to submit their will and resources to God, be good stewards, and make sacrifices for the Kingdom. It challenges listeners to evaluate their love for the world and to prioritize the eternal over the temporary, especially in the small things that may hinder their fruitfulness for God's kingdom.
A Vision for Missions
By Paul Washer2.7K57:40MissionsJHN 3:3ROM 10:14In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the true gospel and warns against the dangers of diluting it with human ingenuity. He highlights the negative impact of evangelistic campaigns that focus on superficial conversions rather than genuine repentance and faith. The speaker also discusses the consequences of a dumbed-down gospel, where essential theological concepts like propitiation, justice, satisfaction, and imputation are not taught. The sermon concludes with a reminder that the ultimate goal of mission work is to bring glory to God, and that prayer is more valuable than financial support in advancing the Kingdom of God.
A Sudden Voice in the City
By Carter Conlon2.5K56:44ROM 10:14This sermon emphasizes the importance of being a voice for God in the city, drawing parallels to the story of Jonah and the revival in Nineveh. It calls for believers to step out in faith, speak about Jesus, and be willing to obey God's call to share His love and salvation with others, even in the face of challenges and reluctance.
World Missions in the 80's
By Oswald J. Smith2.3K43:08World MissionsMAT 9:35MAT 9:38MRK 16:15ACT 1:8ROM 10:141TI 2:4REV 14:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of sending laborers into the harvest fields of the world to spread the gospel. He shares a personal story about the impact of missionary work on his own life and poses the question of why anyone should hear the gospel twice before everyone has heard it once. The speaker urges the audience to take action by either going themselves or supporting missionaries financially. He concludes by stating that it is the responsibility of the Church to evangelize the world and fulfill the commands of Jesus Christ.
(Om Orientation) Our Weapons the Word - Part 2
By George Verwer2.3K25:52Spiritual WarfareMAT 22:37ACT 1:8ROM 10:141CO 13:2COL 3:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing evangelism and spreading the word of God to the lost souls around us. They argue that many Christian activities can distract us from this essential task. The speaker also highlights the significance of love as the balance in the Christian life and encourages the audience to attend the upcoming session on love. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of worship and taking time to praise God, rather than just going through the motions in prayer meetings.
Finn-01 Elijah the Prophet
By Art Katz2.3K45:18Elijah1KI 17:41KI 18:38MAT 6:33JHN 1:1ROM 9:11ROM 10:14HEB 11:8In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of seeking philosophical answers and being pursued by God. He emphasizes the power of a word spoken in authority and how it can turn someone's life around. The speaker also discusses the importance of obedience to God's word, even when it contradicts our own reasoning. He challenges the church to be a prophetic presence and to speak a word that can bring judgment and transformation. The sermon references the story of Elijah being commanded by God to hide by a brook and be fed by ravens, highlighting the need for trust and obedience in following God's instructions.
Submission and Piety at Home
By Keith Daniel2.1K1:33:18Godly HomeJER 20:9EZK 3:14ACT 4:20ACT 5:41ROM 10:141CO 9:161TI 4:13In this video, the speaker reflects on an eight-week preaching tour they recently completed, covering 17 different states. They express their gratitude for the opportunity to preach and the support they received from the church and pastor. The speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel, even in the face of opposition or discouragement. They draw inspiration from the biblical example of Jeremiah or Ezekiel, who felt compelled to speak God's word, even when others did not want to hear it. The speaker encourages listeners to never give up on preaching, even if it means facing challenges or persecution.
Take Up Your Cross - Part 2
By K.P. Yohannan1.8K18:53Cross BearingMAT 6:24LUK 9:23JHN 4:35JHN 4:38ACT 4:12ROM 10:141CO 6:18In this sermon, Brother K. P. Ohanon emphasizes the urgency of the spiritual harvest and the need for believers to be witnesses for Christ. He compares the harvest time in farming to the present spiritual harvest, stating that it is panic time and that the job needs to be done. He encourages listeners to live for something more than themselves and to be willing to go and preach the gospel. Brother K. P. expresses his burden for reaching the lost in the 1040 window, which includes the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Islam blocks, and emphasizes the need to not divorce ourselves from the lost world but to actively seek ways to reach them.
Choose to Serve, Part Two
By K.P. Yohannan1.8K25:58ServiceMAT 18:14MRK 10:14LUK 9:23JHN 6:9ACT 2:41ROM 10:14HEB 13:12In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful testimony of a church in Nagpur that started with a school and now has over 400 baptized believers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of showing the love of the Lord to others, especially the poor and rejected. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own blessings and consider how they can join in the mission of reaching out to those in need. The speaker also highlights the significance of the word "harvest" in missions and the opportunity to bring millions of souls into eternity.
Recovery - Part 3 of 4
By T. Austin-Sparks1.6K1:02:25RecoveryNEH 2:17PSA 119:11MAT 6:33ACT 16:6ROM 8:14ROM 10:14COL 1:27In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being alert to the tricks and schemes of the devil. They highlight that a lack of a sense of responsibility can make believers vulnerable to being deceived and distracted from God's purpose. The speaker connects this sense of responsibility with prayer and watching, urging listeners to ask the Lord to increase it in their lives. They also express concern that conferences and gatherings should not be seen as mere events to attend, but rather as opportunities to deepen one's relationship with God and take on serious responsibilities in the spiritual realm.
Eric Holmberg Discusses Go Stand and Speak Documentary
By Eric Holmberg1.6K06:23MRK 16:15ACT 5:20ROM 10:14This sermon emphasizes the forgotten power of public proclamation of the Gospel, drawing inspiration from Acts 5:20 where the apostles are commanded to go, stand, and speak all the words of life. It challenges Christians to step out of their comfort zones, confront evil with the Gospel, and revive the biblical mandate of proclaiming the Gospel publicly under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The documentary addresses key questions about public preaching and aims to spark a revival of public preachers in a time of spiritual crisis.
Philosophy of Revival Part 1
By Ralph Sutera1.6K44:591KI 18:382CH 7:14MAT 24:12JHN 13:35ROM 10:14PHP 3:14HEB 12:6In this sermon, the preacher talks about the ongoing revival happening in their church. They mention how the Holy Spirit is stirring and how believers are surrendering to God while sinners are being saved. The preacher also shares a personal testimony of their own journey towards conforming to Christ and the deep surgery God is performing in their heart. They emphasize that revival is not about striving for faith, but about finding victory and joy in resting in God. The preacher also highlights the need for revival due to the disunity in the body of Christ and the changing value systems in society.
Prayer for the Holy Spirit - 2
By John R. Rice1.6K14:39MAT 28:19ROM 10:14In this sermon, the preacher talks about his vision of creating a new school for all races. He mentions having 600 preachers who have helped him in this endeavor. He also shares a classic poem called "The Four-Doll Band" and talks about the importance of friendship and community. The preacher emphasizes the power of prayer and encourages the congregation to rely on God for their needs.
Worship That Comes by the Word, The: Satisfaction in the Greatness of God
By John Piper1.5K34:01MAT 6:33ROM 4:20ROM 10:14ROM 10:171CO 1:211CO 2:4In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of preaching as a means to spread the glories of God and satisfy the spiritual hunger of believers. He highlights the problem of people filling themselves with worldly distractions like television, which diminishes their hunger for God's word. The pastor's main goal is to inspire a radical devotion to God, leading to a magnification of His glory and a transformation of hearts. He concludes that the ultimate aim of preaching, regardless of the text or topic, is to cultivate soul-satisfying, God-exalting worship.
Quote - Preaching vs Praying
By Leonard Ravenhill1.5K00:06Ravenhill QuotePreachingIntercessionMAT 5:14ROM 10:14EPH 6:181TI 2:1JAS 5:16Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the distinct yet complementary roles of preaching and praying in the life of a believer. He explains that in preaching, we represent God to humanity, delivering His message and truth, while in praying, we intercede before God on behalf of others, seeking His mercy and intervention. This dual responsibility highlights the importance of both proclaiming the Gospel and engaging in fervent prayer for the needs of the world.
(Romans) Problems and Pictures
By Willie Mullan1.4K57:23ProblemsISA 53:1MAT 6:33ACT 5:29ROM 10:14ROM 10:161PE 4:17In this sermon, the preacher discusses four questions posed by Paul in the Bible. The questions revolve around the importance of belief, hearing, and preaching the word of God. The preacher emphasizes the logical impossibilities of rejecting the message of God, which is the gospel of Christ crucified. He urges the listeners to not ignore or reject this good news, as it is the power of the Holy Spirit that brings faith and salvation. The sermon concludes with a warning about the consequences of disregarding the message of God and a call to repentance.
Reaching the Nations for Christ
By John Hwang1.4K54:15MissionsMAT 6:33ROM 10:141CO 1:181TH 2:11TH 2:142TI 4:11PE 1:23In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the importance of a strong introduction in preaching. However, he admits that he will ignore this rule for the sake of delivering a meaningful message. He then turns to the book of 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 and highlights practical lessons from the missionary example of the Apostle Paul. The speaker emphasizes the call to reach the nations for Christ and quotes Romans 10:14-15 to emphasize the importance of verbal preaching in sharing the gospel. He also mentions the significance of lifestyle evangelism, but emphasizes that speaking the gospel is essential.
The Harvest Is Past
By Dean Taylor1.4K1:23:12UnregenerateLUK 10:2ROM 10:142CO 6:12TI 4:2HEB 3:12HEB 4:11In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not just making a mental decision to follow God, but actually taking action and responding to the gospel. He uses the analogy of being in a plane that is about to crash, and how simply deciding to put on a parachute is not enough - one must actually jump out of the plane. The speaker then discusses four different times of harvest, with the current time being the end of the summer season. He compares himself to a boy on the end of a train, signaling that the train is leaving and urging the audience to respond to the message. The speaker also mentions the importance of not just hearing the word of God, but actually responding to it, and highlights the grace and harvest of God that has come to the audience.
A Sermon From Hell
By Scott Ardavanis1.4K41:22HellMAT 6:33MRK 8:36LUK 16:15JHN 3:16ROM 10:14In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31. He believes that this account is not a parable but an actual description of the afterlife. The preacher emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel and the hope found in Jesus Christ. He highlights the contrast between the rich man, who is detestable in the sight of God, and Lazarus, a poor man who finds favor with God. The sermon encourages listeners to be change agents in spreading the message of salvation.
Tent Making 1 Cor 9
By George Verwer1.2K1:13:49Tent MakingEXO 20:12DEU 25:4MAT 6:33ACT 20:35ROM 10:141CO 9:142TH 3:101TI 5:18In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following five principles in preaching the word of God. These principles include being enthusiastic, learning the product thoroughly, practicing effective communication techniques, demonstrating sincerity, and considering the needs of the person being spoken to. The speaker encourages the audience to believe that God will provide for their needs and make their prayer meetings more effective. They also emphasize the importance of sincerity in conveying the message and suggest using phrases and presentations that effectively communicate the message. The speaker shares personal experiences of encountering difficult individuals but believes that sincerity can still make an impact.
Burning With the Holy Spirit Fire - Reinhard Bonnke
By From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons1.2K1:05:06EvangelismRadioHoly Spirit EmpowermentJOL 2:28MAT 3:11MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 19:10JHN 14:12ACT 1:8ROM 10:141CO 9:162TI 4:2Reinhard Bonnke passionately shares his journey of faith, emphasizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. He recounts his early calling to preach in Africa and the struggles he faced, including a pivotal moment when he asked God for souls rather than money. Bonnke's fervent desire is to see souls saved, believing that the Holy Spirit's fire is essential for effective ministry. He encourages believers to embrace their calling and to actively share the gospel, asserting that the church is a lifeboat meant to rescue the lost. His vision is for nations to be transformed by the gospel, igniting a hunger for souls and a commitment to evangelism.
All Out Spiritual War
By George Verwer1.2K08:24MAT 9:36ROM 10:14This sermon emphasizes the urgent need for Christians to recognize the spiritual emergency in the world today, drawing parallels to physical emergencies like natural disasters and wars. It challenges believers to understand the critical state of humanity without the gospel of Jesus Christ and to take action, utilizing the abundant resources of God's grace and love to share the message of salvation.
Growing Faith
By Prabhudas Koshy1.2K40:57FaithMAT 6:33MAT 24:35MRK 16:15LUK 17:6JHN 4:46ROM 10:14In this sermon, the speaker shares his observations from attending a World Charismatic Convention where famous charismatic preachers gathered to preach. He mentions a young man on a wheelchair who attended every night, hoping to be healed. However, despite the preacher's promises of miracles, the young man remained paralyzed. The speaker then shares his own experience as a pastor, starting with only eight members and growing to 15 over five years. He emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and repentance, cautioning against seeking miracles without heeding God's truth. The speaker also acknowledges that God can still perform miracles and shares examples of amazing transformations he has witnessed in his own life and ministry.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
How then shall they call on him - As the apostle had laid so much stress on believing in order to salvation, and as this doctrine, without farther explanation, might be misunderstood, it was necessary to show how this faith was produced; and therefore he lays the whole doctrine down in a beautifully graduated order. 1. There can be no salvation without the Gospel: a dispensation of mercy and grace from God alone, here called, Rom 10:15, the Gospel of peace; glad tidings of good things. 2. This must be preached, proclaimed in the world for the obedience of faith. 3. None can effectually preach this unless he have a Divine mission; for how shall they preach except they be Sent, Rom 10:15. The matter must come from God; and the person mho proclaims it must have both authority and unction from on high. 4. This Divinely-commissioned person must be heard: it is the duty of all, to whom this message of salvation is sent, to hear it with the deepest reverence and attention. 5. What is heard must be credited; for they who do not believe the Gospel as the record which God has given of his Son cannot be saved, Rom 10:14. 6. Those who believe must invoke God by Christ, which they cannot do unless they believe in him; and in this way alone they are to expect salvation. Professing to believe in Christ, without earnest, importunate prayer for salvation, can save no man. All these things the apostle lays down as essentially necessary; and they all follow from his grand proposition, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. But, says the apostle, How shall they Call upon 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? And how shall they Preach except they be sent? And with what message which can bring salvation can they be sent, but with the Gospel of Peace, the Glad Tidings Of Good Things. When, therefore, there is: 1st, a proper Message; 2ndly, a proper Messenger; 3rdly, the message Preached, proclaimed, or properly delivered by him; 4thly, the proclamation properly Heard and attentively considered by the people; 5thly, the message which they have heard, conscientiously Believed; 6thly, the name of the Lord Jesus, by whom alone this salvation is provided, most fervently Invoked; then, 7thly, salvation, or redemption from sin and misery, and the enjoyment of peace and happiness, will be the result of such calling, believing, hearing, preaching, sending, and message sent: - and thus the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith is guarded from abuse.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and . . . believe in him of whom they have not heard? and . . . hear without a preacher? and . . . preach except . . . sent?--that is, "True, the same Lord over all is rich unto all alike that call upon Him. But this calling implies believing, and believing hearing, and hearing preaching, and preaching a mission to preach: Why, then, take ye it so ill, O children of Abraham, that in obedience to our heavenly mission (Act 26:16-18) we preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ?"
John Gill Bible Commentary
How then shall they call on him in whom they, have not believed?.... The apostle having observed, that whoever, Jew or Gentile, believe in the Lord and call upon his name, shall be saved; and that the same Lord was ready and willing to dispense his grace, without any difference to them; suggests, that it was therefore absolutely necessary, that the Gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, as well as to the Jews; that it was the will of God it should be; that what he and others did, was by a divine commission; that they were sent by the Lord to preach the Gospel to them; that hearing they might believe, and so call upon the name of the Lord, and be saved; and therefore the Jews ought not to blame them for so doing, for there was a real necessity for it, since there can be no true calling upon God without faith, no faith without hearing, no hearing without preaching, and no preaching without a divine mission. The first of these is signified by this interrogation. Every man calls upon the God he believes in, and him only; this has been the practice of all men, in all nations; such as have not believed in God and Christ, do not call upon them; it is true indeed, there may be an external invocation of them, where there is no true faith; but then this is not calling upon them in truth and sincerity; as is their faith, so is their calling upon them; as the one is historical, the other is only external; there is no true invocation without faith, or any that is acceptable to God, or of any avail to men; for calling on the name of the Lord, as it ought to be practised in all religious worship, so it includes and every part of worship as done in faith: and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? the meaning is, that there is no faith in Christ without hearing of him; as it is in human, so in divine faith, there may be believing without seeing, but not without hearing; so we believe that there were such men as Alexander and Julius Caesar, and other persons now in being, though we never saw them, having heard of them, or had a report made of them, which we have reason to give credit to; so there may be, and is faith in Christ without seeing him with our bodily eyes, though not without hearing of him; for of an unheard of person, there can be no faith in him, because no exercise of thought about him. This is to be understood of outward hearing of the word, and of adult persons only; for that, infants may have the grace of regeneration, and so faith wrought in them by the Spirit of God, without hearing the word, is not to be denied; since as they are capable of the principles of corruption, why not of grace? and also of such persons as have the right and free exercise of the faculties of hearing and speaking, and not of such who never could hear, and speak; for as the Spirit works where, and how he pleases, so he can work faith in the hearts of such persons who never heard the word, and enable them to exercise it on the proper object, and cause them secretly to call upon the name of the Lord, with groans which cannot be uttered. Moreover, this is to be, understood of the ordinary way and means of believing; for though God can, and sometimes does work by other means, and even without any, yet his usual way and method is, to bring men to faith and repentance by the hearing of the word: and how shall they hear without a preacher? or there is no hearing without, preaching; there may be reading without it, and this ought to be where there is preaching, to see that what is preached is agreeably to the Scriptures; but there is no hearing the word explained without preaching; explaining the word is preaching. There is no hearing of Christ, and salvation by him, without the preaching of the Gospel; the usual and ordinary way of hearing from God, and of Christ, is by the ministry of the word: this shows not only the necessity and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, but also points out the subject matter of it, which is Christ, and him crucified. They that preach ought to preach concerning the person of Christ, his offices, grace, righteousness, blood, sacrifice and satisfaction, otherwise men may hear the preacher, and not hear Christ.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
10:14 It is natural to presume that the pronoun they refers to “all who call on him” from 10:12 or “everyone” from 10:13. While this verse probably does refer to all people, it also continues the accusation against Israel from 10:2-3 (see 10:18). Paul argues that Israel was in a position to know what God was doing through Jesus Christ, so they were culpable for their failure to understand or accept it. Israel was guilty both of failing to understand God’s plan in light of Christ (10:3-4) and of focusing so much attention on the law that they missed Christ when he arrived (9:30-32).