Come with the intent to find faith in Jesus; cry to God to make his word effectual to our salvation, and then hearing will be quite another business with you. pres-pas-imp. Commenting on, Christ Here I am not going to give a translation but a substitution using an analogy used in John 1:1. It is not God seeking, or man bringing righteousness. But hearing only is mentioned, as the more ordinary and natural way of receiving information. Their reasoning was presumably due mostly to the nature of the witnesses. Or let's put on our asbestos suits and descend into hell and bring the Messiah back from the grave. The commission which the apostles received runs thus: Go you into all the world--preach to every creature--disciple all nations; and they did with indefatigable industry and wonderful success pursue that commission. And there (for such was the point) it was the complete condemnation of this evil thing, the nature in its present state, so as, nevertheless, to set the believer as before God's judgment free from itself as well as its consequences. What were the principles of it? Jesus Is Addressed As Both Human And Divine We find Jesus being addressed by the human and divine usages of kurios. All then that believe, though uncircumcised, might claim him as father, assured that righteousness will be reckoned to them too. And that word is the message of faith which we proclaim. It is no longer blood, but death Christ's death and resurrection. And how can they know who to trust if they havent heard of the One who can be trusted? ii) In verse 17, it says that faith comes. His patience in making these offers: All day long. In Jesus Christ there is neither Greek nor Jews, Colossians 3:11. The mere statement of this has brought, by the operation of the Spirit of God, faith into the soul. Consequently the call of God, and not the birth simply makes the real difference. The righteousness of God, then, could now go forth in virtue of His blood. Thus, their good works must outweigh their bad works. Your name is not on the list." for on your own showing, according to that word to which we all bow, you must admit that one man's sin brought in universal moral ruin and death. Jesus had come and died; Jesus had been a propitiatory sacrifice; Jesus had borne the judgment of God because of the sins He bore. Moses saith, "I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people," etc. I say the word of God delivered as we find it is that which, when heard, brings faith to the souls of men. God has condemned the flesh. Our faith is in the acts of Jesus Christ, our faith is based on him alone, not the Bible which came nearly three hundred years after. The apostle writes with the full assertion of his own apostolic dignity, but as a servant also. Because of Jesus Christ, man is no longer faced with the task of satisfying God's justice; he need only accept his love. out of favor with God, at enmity with eternal love, destitute of eternal life! For, essentially associated as He is with the glory of God the Father, the full deliverance of souls from the realm of death was His also. Yet, how many times we take the promises of God and say, "Oh, God, just help me to believe. Sometimes faith has come into men's minds by hearing the simple statement of the gospel. How are they to hear without someone to proclaim the good news to them? But did this satisfy the apostle? I may, on the other hand, accept it not at all because I have myself perceived the apparent truth of it, but because of the person who tells it to me. participle. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. With some, how ever, hearing does not bring faith, because they hear without any after meditation. Christ is come, and has changed all. It is even as close as your mouth. It is the same form of expression exactly as in the beginning of Romans 5:1-21 "being justified by faith" ( ). why am I still under bondage and misery from the constant evil of my nature, over which I seem to have no power whatever? "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized unto his death?" They grasped the meaning of this offer all right, when it came to them unexpectedly and unsought." This, however, will be put to the test by-and-by. Remember the Samaritan Woman. "Their voice is gone out to all the earth, and their words to the boundaries of the inhabited world." Hence, in certain churches, birthright membership is thought to be a proper practice, and the child of a Christian is thought to be a Christian. And this lies in the fact that Abraham believed God before he had the son, being fully persuaded that what He had promised He was able to perform. When one has heard these things, and understands them, surely the mind, if it be not wilfully blinded, must receive the Savior. I assure you it is not this that we are aiming at in preaching to you. Now, if it was righteous in God (and who will gainsay it?) 2 195). He had indeed before declared, that of itself it is of no avail; but that when it pleases the Lord to work, it becomes the instrument of his power. To those that were under it, to be sure. He shall come to Zion, says the other. Now, in what way would you go to work to get faith in him? In both parts, as it may be observed, the door is opened to the Gentile. You are quite willing to believe in him, but you cannot blindly follow any man, for there are thousands of quacks and impostors. 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." But now he turns around and says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This is the first ground. Faith comes by hearing when a man does, as it were, give himself up to the word of God, like a person who is badly wounded and surrenders himself to the surgeon's hand. Some did not hearken. In fact, so many did not listen that Isaiah said, Who has believed our report? Paul wanted to see obedience of faith among all the nations (1:5), but this didnt happen. This also is a most important truth, my brethren, to bear in mind. However plainly we may preach this truth, there will always be some who will misunderstand us, and as many more who will raise objections against it, as if it were their part to give an opinion, and not to do as they are bidden by the Lord. Not just saving faithbut throughout our walk with God, the totality of Gods Word becomes real in our lives as we appropriate it. See the extent of Paul's province, Romans 15:19; Romans 15:19. What could be conceived closer or more even than this? Paul continues in Romans 10:17 to summarize the argument thus far: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (NASB). Welcome to Bible Hermeneutics SE and thank you for your contribution. And how can they proclaim it unless they be sent?So the basis for missions: having heard, having believed, having known, we are now responsible to send those to tell others of this glorious salvation and righteousness that God has offered to all men, Jew and Greek, who will just simply believe on His son Jesus Christ. For this he appeals to two passages of the Old Testament, to show how inexcusable they are too. By a draught of water. he bears long, but he will not bear always. The word of God is the entire Bible. It is not said to be revealed in the gospel. Yes, whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ", But all have not obeyed the good news. It is agreed by all commentators that this is one of the most difficult and obscure passages in the letter to the Romans. That God is the same to all: The same Lord over all is rich unto all. Thus, by the guidance of the Spirit, the word finds out the man, and faith cometh by hearing. So then faith cometh - This I take to be clearly the language of the objector. Here I shall be very brief. We have Paul informing us that he transfers sometimes in a figure to himself that which was in no wise necessarily his own experience, and perhaps had not been so at any time. The patience of God towards provoking sinners is admirable. "For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. It is evident, therefore, that dispensational position will not suffice for God, who holds to His own unchangeable estimate of good and evil, and who judges the more stringently according to the measure of advantage possessed. Now, sometimes, persons have been led into faith in Christ, by feeling that those whom he sent to be testifiers to his person, death, and resurrection were evidently true to the core, and, therefore, their word was worthy of all acceptation. But this may be comparatively a light question. "His flesh was torn off by the whips, and he streamed down with blood, and his flanks were laid open by wounds." Nor would it be needful in answer to my question to trace the river to the clouds, and to treat upon the formation of vapor by the skill and wisdom of God. This clearly takes in man, it will be observed; and this is his grand point now. Did they venture to plead that it must be not only the same father, but the same mother? When the heart rebels against the word: when it says, "If this be true I am living a bad life, and I shall have to give up my pleasures, therefore will not accept it." And he is father of circumcision in the best sense, not to Jews, but to believing Gentiles. Psalms 19:1-14 is used in the most beautiful manner to insinuate that the limits are the world. The wrath of God could not possibly be glad tidings. No fresh revelations from God can nullify those which preceded them; but as the prophets looked onward to what was coming, so is the gospel already come, supported by the past. Even by this passage, therefore, it seems that a message was necessary, that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the divine message. Clearly, then, such ground is untenable. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. Glad tidings of good things, but not all who hear obey. What a provocation it was to the Jews to see the Gentiles taken into favour we may see, Acts 13:45; Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13, and especially Acts 22:22. Zealous the Jews were and are. So, then, faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the word which comes from Christ and which tells of him. It is not a question of His mercy merely; for this weakens the truth immensely, and perverts its character wholly. Now the doctrine which we saw asserted in the latter part ofRomans 5:1-21; Romans 5:1-21 is applied to both. Help me to believe, Lord." For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge ( Romans 10:1-2 ). I am sure the sleepy one is not likely to do so, and I am pretty clear that the juryman who is most likely to get at the truth will be the man who, when he gets away from the court, having heard attentively all the time, takes home the notes of the evidence, weighs it, and makes comparisons, and endeavors to sift out the truth. Before the cross there hung out the gravest question that ever was raised, and it needed settlement in this world; but in Christ sin is for ever abolished for the believer; and this not only in respect of what He has done, but in what He is. You have a first rate blog! He has no longer to win God's favour; he need simply take the grace and love and mercy which he freely offers. Now, positively: "Faith cometh by hearing." Men have found it impossible not to believe in a friend so self-sacrificing, a Redeemer so altogether lovely. Romans 10:9-10 are of prime importance. Christ's work of redemption deserves that God should act as He does in the gospel. How acceptable they should therefore be to the children of men for their work's sake: How beautiful are the feet, that is, how welcome are they! For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. All through this section Paul has been driving home the personal responsibility of the Jews. The Word of God is essential for the development of faith within my heart. If they do not, they will reject the gospel and be lost. God bids them trust in Jesus, and they do so through his grace. What, then, is its voice? If we spent our time in nothing else but just explaining the text, "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved," we might achieve a blessed life-work, and perhaps might see greater results than when our ministry takes a wider range. Do you mean to tell me that because my father does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah that he is lost?" First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation and I will anger you ( Romans 10:19 ). God's great goodness to them: All day long I have stretched forth my hands. . ", Ah, remember, though your present state is terrible it is not all. for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Every mouth was stopped; the Jew by his own oracles, as the Gentile by their evident abominations, shown already. Then there is another and crowning part of the blessing: "And not only so, but also boasting in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation." (i) The first objection is: "You cannot call on God unless you believe in him. The future must be brought in by the grace of God; and this he accordingly gives us at the close of Romans 11:1-36. Somebody must tell them what they are to believe. I may hear a man descant upon the gospel with all the eloquence that can be commanded by the most fluent tongue, yet if my faith comes to me because the man spoke pathetically, or poetically, or argumentatively, or rhetorically, it is a poor miserable faith; being, of the power of the flesh, it will die, and so prove itself unlike the faith which springs from the incorruptible word of God, for that liveth and abideth for ever. You hear him speak and you perceive that he understands your case, for he describes exactly all your symptoms, even those which none know but yourself and a skillful physician. So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The Luther bible has "So kommt der Glaube aus der Predigt, das Predigen aber aus dem Wort Gottes.". He is preparing a place for his people, but that place is not for you. Then your principle is your condemnation. There can be no one to proclaim the good news unless God commissions someone to do so." And she gives me the worst time because she knows how totally she has me wrapped around her little finger. But if children, we are His heirs. As the union includes the bodies of believers as well as their souls (1 Corinthians 6:15, 16, 17, 18, 19-note), so this transforming power will ultimately extend to the former as well as to the latter (Ro 8:10, 11-note). It was the Son of God not merely as dealing with the powers of the earth, Jehovah's King on the holy hill of Zion, but after a far deeper manner. 1. Thus he manifested himself to the Gentiles, by sending the light of the gospel among them, when they were so far from seeking him and asking after him that they were following after lying vanities, and serving dumb idols. the spiritual fool of Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:1; Pro 17:21 ) will I anger you. In this too we have the blessed connection of the Spirit (here peculiarly designated, for special reasons, "the Spirit of holiness"). They cannot hear without a preacher; how should they? As He has made all, so He is heir of all. And the blessedness of the gospel is, that it is (not merely an exercise of mercy, but also) divinely just. 10:1 Brethren, the delight of my own heart and my supplication which I address to God for them is for salvation. Even when the Lord was upon the earth, there were many unbelievers (John 12:37-41). Thereby is identification with His death. In addition, as recorded by Metzger:3, The expression occurs only here in the New Testament, whereas is a more familiar expression. There were those who were good, whose balance was on the right side; there were those who were bad, whose balance was on the debit side; there were those who were in between, who, by doing one more good work, could become good. higher, if so high, in this epistle. Is there no call, no mercy, of God for any besides? The Gentiles the despised heathen were to be brought in; the self-satisfied Jews are left behind, justly and beyond question, if they believed the law and the prophets. This is a state of mind, and not the necessary or immediate fruit of Romans 3:1-31, but is based on the truth of Romans 4:1-25 as well as 3. Oh, how nice you look today. Tonight whoever you might be salvation is so close to you, all you have to do is call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. I do say this for them--that they do have a zeal for God, but it is not a zeal which is based on a real knowledge. Last of all, the apostle links up this fundamental treatise of divine righteousness in its doctrine, its dispensational bearings, and its exhortations to the walk of Christians, with higher truth, which it would not have been suitable then to bring out; for grace considers the state and the need of the saints. It happens when the written word becomes real to us in our heart. They are zealous for God, yes. of it. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness are going about to establish their own righteousness, and they have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Did not God begin in love, and manifest himself to us when we did not ask after him? Now he began the argument by saying that everything was of God and that men had no more to do with it than the clay had to do with the work of the potter. The time of God's patience is here called a day, lightsome as a day and fit for work and business, but limited as a day, and a night at the end of it. It became simply a question whether, in fact, God did call Gentiles, or whether He had revealed such intentions. There is then the solemn truth also of divine wrath. God established that they had to bring an animal and kill the animal in their stead, that their sins must be transferred onto the animal and the animal slain. There is no question of a people on earth, and of God's wrath breaking out in one form or another against human evil in this life. "What faith really is, in biblical language, is receiving the testimony of God. Before Paul can answer Israels objections, he must first reiterate how one is brought to belief. What the apostle had given him in fulness was the great truth, however fundamental it may be, that I am entitled, and even called on in the name of the Lord Jesus, to know that I am dead to sin; not that I must die, but that I am dead that my baptism means nothing less than this, and is shorn of its most emphatic point if limited merely to Christ's dying for my sins. Now, faith in Christ is like faith in anyone else, it comes to us by the same kind of mental processes, and is based upon simple principles and plain matters of fact, and needs no vision of the night. 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 preaching is by them, or else the command of God or Christ, which more properly signifies; and the sense is, that men preach the Gospel in obedience to the commandment of the everlasting God, and according to the orders, mission, and commission, warrant and authority, of the Lord Jesus Christ: and so these words are the conclusion, and sum of the whole; that as invocation is owing to faith, so faith to hearing, hearing to preaching, preaching to a mission; whence it follows, that it is the original will of God, to send forth his apostles and ministers, to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, as well as to the Jews; that they hearing might believe, and believing call upon the Lord, and so be saved by him: it is a saying of the Jews, , "hearing depends upon the word" e. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. And so you will see them at the wailing wall, you will see them as they tie to them a little box, the phylacteries as they bind them to their foreheads and as they put on their prayer shawl and they go up to the wall and they begin to bob up and down and they go through their prayers and all, a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. Remember that word of Christ, it is one of the most terrible I know of, "if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Here now we have the basis for missionary activity by the church. Green Then faith is of hearing, and hearing through the Word of God. This brings out a most emphatic truth and special side of Christianity. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Romans 1:1-32. But it is quite possible for the unconverted to be tenacious of the truth, yet unrighteous in their ways; and so much the worse for them. Why don't we use the 7805 for car phone charger? This was not a direct and intrinsic effect, of course, but the result of spiritual dealing for the soul. Why does contour plot not show point(s) where function has a discontinuity? Can you any longer refuse to believe and submit? That they are yielding to His Lordship His ruling authority over them.