dv0810-Daily Verse

Author: Stephen Weller
1,378 words, 7 minutes read time

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Faith Comes By Hearing

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

This verse is found in a section that proclaims that the message of salvation is for all to hear. That message is, ⁹ “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (verses 9 – 10). Concerning that message, four questions are asked.

¹⁴ “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (verses 14 – 15). One’s belief is influenced by hearing the message, and thus it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (verse 15).

So, we can conclude that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (verse 17). In writing to the Galatians, Paul asks them a question about receiving the Holy Spirit at the time of their spiritual birth. He asks, “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:2 ESV). It is important that the word of Christ, the gospel, be proclaimed in the hearing of people. That proclamation can be in the form of preaching, teaching or person to person conversation.

Jesus placed an emphasis on proclaiming the message when he said, ¹⁵ “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15 – 16 ESV), and in Matthew 28:18 – 20 (ESV): he said, ¹⁸ “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Since God has gifted people differently, some will go and preach, others will teach, but all of us can have conversations with people we meet about the good news of Jesus Christ and their need of salvation.

As we proclaim the message, there is a word of caution. ³ “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3 – 4 ESV). To reach these people, one may be tempted to water down the truth, as is being done so often today, that people who pray to receive the gift of salvation, may not actually be saved and those who are, are not challenged to serve God as they should and when persecution comes they are not willing to remain faithful to the Lord. The full truth must be proclaimed to ensure that people know what they are committing to. Salvation is not simply a free pass to heaven. It comes with a work assignment, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV).

Faith comes from hearing the gospel, the word of Christ, the good news, but for people to hear, we must proclaim the message in their hearing. How well are you doing your part? Father I pray that the message I share will be received and will produce faith leading to salvation or a closer walk with you.

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Summary Theme

Faith Comes Through Hearing the Word of Christ

Summary Paragraph

Romans 10:17 teaches one of the foundational principles of the Christian faith: genuine saving faith is produced by hearing the message of Christ. Paul has just explained that people cannot call upon Christ unless they believe, cannot believe unless they hear, and cannot hear unless someone proclaims the gospel (Romans 10:13–16). He concludes this argument by affirming that faith is not generated by human effort, emotion, or religious tradition but by God’s revealed Word concerning Jesus Christ. As the gospel is faithfully proclaimed, the Holy Spirit uses that message to awaken hearts, convict of sin, reveal Christ as Savior, and produce saving faith. This verse emphasizes both the necessity of proclaiming God’s Word and the importance of listening to it with an open and receptive heart. Every believer continues to grow in faith through the regular hearing, reading, studying, and applying of Scripture.Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers

1. What does Paul mean when he says, “faith comes from hearing”?

Answer:
Paul teaches that faith originates when people hear the message about Jesus Christ. The word “hearing” refers not merely to the physical act of listening but to understanding and receiving the gospel with an open heart. Faith is not self-generated nor based upon positive thinking or personal determination. Instead, God uses His Word as the instrument through which the Holy Spirit awakens belief. Throughout Scripture, God speaks, and people respond in faith. Just as creation came into existence through God’s spoken Word, spiritual life begins when His Word penetrates the human heart. This reminds believers that the gospel itself possesses divine power because it communicates God’s truth concerning Christ.

2. Why is the “word of Christ” essential for salvation?

Answer:
The “word of Christ” is the message that reveals who Jesus is, what He accomplished through His death and resurrection, and how sinners may be reconciled to God. Without this message, people cannot know God’s plan of redemption. General knowledge of God through creation may reveal His existence, but only the gospel reveals His saving grace through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the preaching, teaching, reading, and sharing of Scripture are indispensable because they communicate the truth that leads to salvation. Every conversion ultimately begins with someone encountering God’s Word about Christ.

3. How does this verse emphasize the importance of preaching and evangelism?

Answer:
Romans 10:17 concludes Paul’s explanation of why believers must proclaim the gospel. Earlier in the chapter, Paul asks how people can believe unless they hear, and how they can hear without someone preaching. This verse answers those questions by declaring that hearing God’s message is the means through which faith is born. Every Christian therefore participates in God’s mission by sharing Scripture, explaining the gospel, supporting missionaries, teaching the Bible, or simply pointing others to Christ. While only God can create faith, He has chosen to work through the faithful proclamation of His Word.

4. Does this verse only apply to unbelievers?

Answer:
No. While Romans 10:17 primarily explains how saving faith begins, the principle also applies to the ongoing growth of every believer. Christians continue to mature spiritually by regularly hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating upon God’s Word. As believers continually encounter the truth of Scripture, their confidence in God’s promises deepens, their understanding increases, and their obedience grows stronger. The same Word that brings a person to faith also nourishes and strengthens that faith throughout the Christian life.

5. What practical lessons should believers take from Romans 10:17?

Answer:
Romans 10:17 encourages believers to place God’s Word at the center of their daily lives. Faith grows when Scripture becomes a regular part of worship, personal devotion, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. It also reminds Christians not to rely on clever arguments or persuasive techniques when sharing the gospel but to faithfully present God’s Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to accomplish His work. Finally, this verse motivates believers to pray for opportunities to proclaim Christ, knowing that God has ordained His Word as the primary means by which He brings people to saving faith and strengthens those who already believe.