Faith Comes By Hearing the Word of God Romans 10:17

After declaring, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”, Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome a series of questions concerning the spreading of the gospel such as, “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 preach, except they be sent?”, and he added, “as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” In chapter ten and verse seventeen of Romans, Paul declared, “faith comes by hearing...the word of God” where we read:

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The verse begins, “So then faith comes by hearing, ...” Paul began with the words, “so then” or “therefore and wherefore” “faith” which means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ” “comes by” or “is gained out of and away from” “hearing” which means “things heard such as instruction, preaching and report”. Paul recognized that “belief and trust” in God's “good news” is understood, gained and acknowledged by the “hearing” His message.

The verse goes on to say, “... and hearing by the word of God.” Paul continued with the words, “and hearing” which means “and things heard such as instruction, preaching and report” “by the word” which means “through and by way of the speech, discourse, utterance, message, narrative and command” “of God” or “pertaining to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul further declared how “spiritual” “hearing” is gained through God's word.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how it is important to “hear” God's “word”. The idea presented is “hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing, etc” the “word of God”. Paul is not declaring just receiving “sounds” alone, but rather “hearing” God's word over and over and over again. When a person receives Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they should begin reading and studying “God's word”. This allows a person to become familiar with God and His ways, and as they study “the word of God” they know more about God which leads to “trusting” or having more “faith” in Him. Oh that everyone who reads these words would desire to “hear” God through His “word”, and as they do, may great “faith” arise.

Next time we see Paul asks his readers, “Have they not heard?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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