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Meaning, commentary and cross references

Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
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In other translations

  • KJV · King James Version

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

  • NIV · New International Version

    Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

  • WEB · World English Bible

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

What does Romans 10:17 mean?

John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing,.... That is, by preaching; for the word hearing is used in the same sense as in the preceding verse; and designs the report of the Gospel, or the preaching of the word, which is the means God makes use of, to convey faith into the hearts of his people; for preachers are ministers, or instruments, by whom others believe: and hearing by the word of God; or "of Christ", as some copies read, and so do the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions; and intends either the holy Scriptures, which have God for their author, and Christ for the subject of them; and which furnish the men of God, or ministers of the Gospel, with proper materials to preach; and so hearing or…

John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Romans 10:12–21

Faith cometh by hearing. It is the summary of what he had said before, Rom 10:14. The beginning, progress, and strength of faith, are by hearing. The word of God is therefore called the word of faith: it begets and nourishes faith.

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

John Calvin · Commentaries, on Romans 10:14–17

17. Faith then is by hearing, etc. We see by this conclusion what Paul had in view by the gradation which he formed; it was to show, that wherever faith is, God has there already given an evidence of his election; and then, that he, by pouring his blessing on the ministration of the gospel, to illuminate the minds of men by faith, and thereby to lead them to call on his name, had thus testified, that the Gentiles were admitted by him into a participation of the eternal inheritance. And this is a remarkable passage with regard to the efficacy of preaching; for he testifies, that by it faith is produced.

John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

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Context: Romans 10:14–20 (WEB)

14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? 15And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, didn’t they hear? Yes, most certainly, “Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” 19But I ask, didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, “I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation. I will make you angry with a nation void of understanding.” 20Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who didn’t seek me. I was revealed to those who didn’t ask for me.”

Read all of Romans 10

Cross references

  • Galatians 3:2

    I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

  • Galatians 3:5

    He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

  • Luke 11:28

    But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”

  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:13

    For this cause we also thank God without ceasing that when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, God’s word, which also works in you who believe.

  • Mark 4:24

    He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you who hear.

  • Luke 8:21

    But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

  • Romans 1:16

    For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.

Key words

In the Baptist Catechism

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