The Beautiful Feet of Them that Preach the Gospel Romans 10:15

After declaring, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”, Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome three questions concerning the spreading of the gospel, “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 in chapter ten and verse fifteen of Romans, Paul asked another question concerning people receiving the gospel and then stated, “how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace” where we read:

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The verse begins, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Paul began with the words, “and how” which means “and in what way” “shall they preach” which means “will people herald, proclaim and publish”, “except” or “in case and whether” “they be sent?” which means “those who proclaim the word are appointed, allowed to depart and set at liberty”. Paul questioned how those who “preach” the “gospel” of Jesus Christ are able to do so unless they are “set at liberty” and “allowed” to do so.

The verse goes on to say, “as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Paul continued with the words, “as it is written” which means “like it is delineated or formed in letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material” “How beautiful” which means “blooming and flourishing” “are the feet” or “the part of the body which promotes and helps in walking and standing with balance” “of them” which refers to “the people” “that preach” or “who herald, announce and proclaim” “the gospel” which refers to “the good news and glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ” “of peace” or “pertaining to the state of tranquility, exempt from havoc of war, harmony and concord”, “and bring” which means “and carry, announce and proclaim” “glad tidings” or “good news, joyful news of God's kindness and His Messianic blessings” “of good things” which means “pertaining to useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, happy and excellent benefits”. Paul referred to Isaiah chapter fifty-two and verse seven where we read, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that saith unto Zion, Your God reigns!” as he described people who share the “gospel of Jesus Christ” with others.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see his emphasis through question concerning “sending” people to proclaim the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. Along with “hearing, believing and proclaiming” the gospel is the need to “send” people to share about Jesus. This is the “mission” of the church. Jesus said, “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. (Matthew 28:19-20), and the very “feet” of those who do so are blessed by God. The Christian's privilege is to participate in sharing of the “good news” of God that follows the “bad news” of the world, and whether they are the ones who “proclaim” the “gospel” or send those who do, everyone who believes and trusts in Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord” must participate in God's mission to “seek and to save that which was lost”. (Luke 19:10)

Next time we see Paul tells his readers, “but they have not all obeyed the gospel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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