Paul states an obvious point, that we can’t believe something that we have never heard. But it is also the case that we can hear and not believe.
In order to call for help from someone, you have to believe in that person’s power: How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed (v 14)? In order to believe in someone, you must hear about them: How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard (v 14)?
In order to hear about them, you must have someone tell you: And how will they hear without a preacher (v 14)?
In order for someone to tell you, they must be sent: How will they preach unless they are sent (v 15)?
Those who are sent and preach the gospel are doing something very good and beautiful: Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things (v 15)!”
The chronological order of this preaching process looks like this:
- a preacher is sent to the lost,
- the preacher preaches the gospel of Jesus,
- the lost hear the good news of Jesus, they believe the good news of Jesus and are saved from hell to heaven,
- and they call on their Lord to help them in their daily life of living by faith.
This is a picture of how preaching the gospel should logically and ideally work out, but Paul proceeds to use it to display the unbelief of the Jews.
Throughout history the Jewish people have heard this message of pursuing righteousness through faith and not the law (Romans 9:30–33): However, they did not all heed the good news (v 16).
Paul quotes the Old Testament prophet to demonstrate this rejection: For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (vv 16–17).
The Jewish people have heard the word of Christ. Paul is reiterating what he said in verse 8–11, that God does not need to send more messengers down from heaven, including Christ, because the messengers and Christ have already come. The message is already here and has been delivered to the Jewish people.
But what if someone has never heard the preaching of the gospel? What if someone never heard the word of the prophets? What if it was just something they didn’t understand? Paul will now address that possibility.
Biblical Text
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Check out our other commentaries:
-
Exodus 29:22-25 meaning
The LORD describes the next part of the ordination ceremony. Aaron and his sons were given parts of the sacrificed animal along with bread cakes...... -
Hosea 5:8-15 meaning
The LORD commands trumpets to be blown to announce judgment on Israel and Judah. He will withdraw His help and plunge His people into war...... -
Numbers 7:54-59 meaning
On the eighth day, the tribe of Manasseh brought offerings to the tabernacle on the eighth day. Their offerings were the same as all the...... -
Deuteronomy 24:6 meaning
Moses told the Israelites that they could not take a handmill or an upper millstone as collateral for a loan....... -
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 meaning
The Israelites are instructed to constantly reflect on God’s covenantal laws, to diligently teach them to their children, and to share these laws with the......
