Explain the meaning of Romans 10:17?

Question

Romans 10:17 says:

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

Answer 1

You probably noticed that in verses 13 through 15, Paul described what is essentially a domino effect. After quoting Joel 2:32, where we read that everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved, Paul follows through to the reasonable conclusion: "How will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How will they hear without someone to preach? How will they preach unless they have been sent forth? How comely the feet of those who declare good news of good things!"

They have been sent forth in accord with Luke 9:1-6, Luke 10:1-2 and Matthew 28:19 to preach and teach the good news of God's kingdom. Good news indeed! Paul says, in verse 17, that faith follows the thing heard and the thing heard is the word of Christ – the good news of God's kingdom which, according to Luke 4:43, Christ himself preached. Faith comes through hearing this word.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 2

This verse is the answer to the question, "where does faith come from"

Faith does NOT come from:

1) The "will of the flesh" (John 1:13)
2) You do not inherit faith from your parents
3) Faith is not formed by memorization of scripture (John 5:39)
4) Faith does not come from an emotional feeling of spirituality.

The ONLY way that you will have faith is through learning the Spirit's authorship of the holy scriptures. This translation of "hear" actually is the word "hearkening" from the previous verse in other translations, meaning that even if you are a deaf person you can still be taught the message, even though you didn't "hear it".

Answer 3

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

I'm not sure which Bible translation you read that from, but may I suggest that you get a copy of either the New American Standard Bible, or the English Standard Bible. The NASB is more accurate, but the ESV is more readable. Both are superior to what you quoted.

Faith comes by hearing. When you hear the Gospel, god enables you to have faith in the Word you are hearing (which is why it is so important to have accurate translations).

This is the only verse in the Bible to refer to the Word of Christ; where the Greek is ρηματος χριστου, the word of Christ. This is the objective genitave: the word concerning Christ.

Faith in Christ comes by hearing the word concerning Christ, by hearing the Gospel concerning Christ.

Answer 4

So then faith cometh ... - This I take to be clearly the language of the objector. As if he had said, by the very quotation which you have made from Isaiah, it appears that a report was necessary. He did not condemn people for not believing what they had not heard; but he complains of those who did not believe a message actually delivered to them. Even by this passage, therefore, it seems that a message was necessary, that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the divine message. It could not be right, therefore, to condemn those who had not obeyed the gospel because they had not heard it; and hence, not right to make salvation dependent on a condition which was, by the arrangement of God, put beyond their power. The very quotation from Isaiah, therefore, goes to confirm the objection in Rom_10:14;15.

By hearing - Our translation has varied the expression here, which is the same in two places in the Greek: “Isaiah said, Who hath believed our report? So then, you must admit that faith comes by that report, and therefore this report or message is necessary.” When it is said that faith cometh by hearing, it is not meant that all who hear actually believe, for that is not true; but that faith does not exist unless there is a message, or report, to be heard or believed. It cannot come otherwise than by such a message; in other words, unless there is something made known to be believed. And this shows us at once the importance of the message, and the fact that people are converted by the instrumentality of truth, and of truth only.

And hearing - And the report, or the message, is by the Word of God; that is, the message is sent by the command of God. It is his word, sent by his direction, and therefore if withheld by him, those who did not believe could not be blamed. The argument of the objector is, that God could not justly condemn people for not believing the gospel.

Answer 5

You can't believe in anything you do not hear or know of which is the message of Christ. You have to hear the message before you can have faith and the message comes from Jesus.

Answer 6

You hear the truth of Gods Word, and it generates faith in God within you. Faith comes as a natural consequence of Hearing the truth.

Answer 7

Hearing the word of God can only be obtained by the Holy Spirit.
And when the Holy Spirit has given your heart the Revelation of what HIS word actually means your faith increases.And GOD will give the Holy Spirit to anyone that asks Him for it.Seek and you shall find.Take care and may God bless you.

Answer 8

It means that Christians are to obey the Great Commission.
Mat 28:18 "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you . And be sure of this. I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Answer 9

Another translation says it this way: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". Your spiritual understanding and your faith grows by hearing the Word of God preached, and by reading the Bible.

Answer 10

You get your faith in God by hearing his word.

If someone told you to believe in God but hadn't read his word would you believe or have faith in him?

If you read the scriptures before, you will see they are conveying that they have to get the word out to people so they may be saved.