17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This verse shows that believing faith does not come ultimately from the believer’s witness but from the Word of God.
17 So then [therefore]
The words “so then” indicate the consequence of those who believe the message.
faith comes by hearing [the thing heard],
Faith comes from hearing the gospel. The word “by” indicates out from. Faith comes from the source of “hearing” the content of the gospel. “Hearing” here is the same Greek word as “report” in the previous verse.
and hearing by the word [spoken message] of [about] God.
Some manuscripts have the word “Christ” rather than “God” in this phrase.
The gospel comes from God’s Word. Saving proclamation of the gospel always comes from a message about Christ and His work on the cross. This principle applies to both Jews and Gentiles.
Communicators of the gospel do not make up their message. They receive their message from God. The content of what is communicated is what God revealed in the Word of God.
Acts 13:46, Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
PRINCIPLE:
People cannot come to Christ apart from preaching the gospel of Christ.
APPLICATION:
Faith comes from hearing the message of the gospel. Faith presupposes the hearing of the gospel, and the content of the message is what awakens faith. In other words, it is God Himself who speaks to the heart. He does this through the Holy Spirit (1 Co 2:12-14; 1 Jn 5:6). Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit, our witness falls on deaf ears. The mere dead words of man will never do the job.
Ro 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it [the gospel] is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
There is a necessity to articulate the gospel; it is not enough to live the gospel. The gospel shared in the power of the Holy Spirit will produce results. God will use us to win the lost to Christ if we share the message. Some will accept it.
Faith does not come by unadulterated experience, mystical experience, or any method other than spoken words. Trust in what God says comes from hearing the gospel. Belief will come to people who open themselves to the truth. Therefore, it is necessary that we beseech people on the behalf of Christ:
2 Co 5:20, Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
We hear with our natural ear, we confess the Word of God with our mouth, to the point that it is heard by our spiritual ear. Resulting in Faith built into our heart, thus, when we speak forth from our spirit; it is released into the atmosphere with its(the Word) creative force.
Grant, I would love to hear what you would say about the comment made above by Jay a few years ago . . .
Jay, 10:17 gives an inference from 10:16, which is quotation from Scripture. Our faith comes from trust in what God has said in His Word. The hearing is the hearing of the Word of God. The whole idea is that we do not make up our message, which is the opposite of what you say.
Thanks for answering that question, Grant. I am currently privately reviewing a booklet published in the Word of Faith movement and needed your comment about human words holding power.
I was told a story of a man from Africa who did good deeds, loved his fellowman but NEVER heard about Jesus. He died and I was asked if this person will go to Heaven. I read scriptures in Romans, Acts and Isaiah. They talk about hearing and believing. But if he never heard the word what about his salvation? I also know that God’s Spirit is in all men’s heart and available to receive. Paul talked about the “unknown God” being worship – maybe in his culture he worship the unknown God. Thank you for your response.
Hello Carol, it has been a long time since we have talked. Re your question. This issue is quite involved but I will attempt to give a brief answer. There is a sense where everyone has “heard.” That is, God will “draw all men [people] unto Himself” (Jn 12:32; cf. 6:44). The Holy Spirit will “convict the world…” (Jn 16:8ff). In other words, no one has ever existed without God drawing people to Himself and the Holy Spirit bringing them to a point of conviction. This has happened to this person in Africa. Also, a person does not have to hear the gospel per se to respond to God. The argument of Romans one is that God has exposed every person on earth to Himself via creation. If a person responds to the witness of Creation then God will send a person to deliver the specific gospel message. The problem in Romans was that they suppressed the gospel (Ro 1:18). The word “suppress” in that verse comes from two words: to hold and down. That is, they rejected God’s revelation via creation by suppressing its truth. They were negative volition toward God’s revelation such as it was. Salvation is much like an iceberg–most of it is below the surface where God is at work. God has been at work on every person who ever existed. If they go positive volition then he sends a messenger with the gospel, “how can they hear without a preacher” (Ro 10:14).
There are mission societies today who claim that people can be saved without hearing the gospel. In my mind, that is a new form a heresy. That is, it violates extant statements of Scripture.
I believe Paul clearly is stating in the context of the election previously discussed by him that “hearing” can only come when God says “hear”
In other words it is God who allows a person to”have ears to hear”.
If He does not grant the hearing the the Word “falls on deaf ears”.
It it is He who brings people to Christ NOT our words.
Having preached to countless people over the last 38 years, I’ve seen first hand the difference when He gives a person HEARING to hear and understand the gospel.
What say you Grant?
Ralph, I agree that a person cannot come to Christ by operation bootstraps; God must draw, convict and sovereignly work on the soul. The human will has a choice to respond to God or not. Note this more in-depth study: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/concursus/gods-decree-and-free-will/
Hi, is it true that if you want to grow your faith you need to hear more of God’s Word?
Or is this verse only talking about when a person receives salvation upon hearing the gospel message?
Thank you! I’m learning so much from your studies 🙂
Christel, the immediate context deals with salvation, but it is true that a Christian cannot grow without applying the principles of Scripture to experience. See these studies: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/christian-maturity/living-by-the-book/ and for a longer study read this: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/christian-maturity/the-edification-construct-discussion-guide/
I hear preachers read or quote Rom 10:17 and leave yhe word and out.
Should and be left out?
Beverly, definitely not. The “word” is central to the meaning of this verse.