Romans 10:17
Bible verses · Also called: Rom. 10:17, Faith cometh by hearing, Faith comes by hearing, Hearing by the word of God, Hearing by the word of Christ
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So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The text is the New Korean Revised Version (1998), shown under a licence from the Korean Bible Society. Wording may differ slightly from the Korean Revised Version and the Revised New Korean Standard Version. Read in the Korean Revised Version
A verse stating that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (KJV: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"). It is widely cited to support the importance of preaching and evangelism and has served as a starting point for various theological accounts of the relationship between the Word and faith.
Context
In verses 14–15, Paul asks, "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 how shall they hear without a preacher?" With these questions he argues for the necessity of preachers who are sent. In verse 16 he quotes Isaiah 53:1 and states that not all of Israel has obeyed the gospel. Verse 17 sums up this argument, and verses 18 and following go on to say that Israel did not fail to hear but heard and rejected the message.
Interpretation
- As the means of the proclaimed Word: Reformed and Lutheran churches hold that God creates faith through the proclaimed Word, and they cite this verse as grounds for regarding preaching as a means of grace. This is connected to the Reformation tradition's placement of preaching at the center of worship.
- As a basis for missions: Read together with verses 14–15, the verse is cited as grounds for the missionary mandate to go and proclaim the message to those who have not heard.
- As extending to personal hearing of the Word: Some applications hold that personal devotion, such as reading and meditating on Scripture, is also included in "hearing."
Debates and Issues
Manuscripts are divided between the readings "the word of Christ" and "the word of God." The older manuscripts generally read "the word of Christ," while the King James Version follows "the word of God."
Regarding the Greek word rhema, translated "word" here, some charismatic circles teach that it denotes a "word spoken to me now," distinct from the written Word (logos). Others counter that the two terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament, so such a distinction has little basis. Critics also argue that applications claiming faith grows through repeatedly hearing and declaring something go beyond the meaning of the verse.
In the Korean Church
The verse is frequently used as a motto for preaching-centered worship, for Bible read-through and Scripture memorization movements, and for evangelistic rallies.
Related Passages
- Romans 10:14–15
- Isaiah 53:1
- Galatians 3:2
- John 20:31
See also 6
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