Then the apostle introduces the ground, certainty, and character of God's judgment (verses 4-16). Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. We can have the written word memorized. There is nothing like the grace of God for producing the truest humility, the humility that not only descends to the lowest level of sinners to do them good, but which is itself the fruit of deliverance from that self-love which puffs itself or lowers others. For "every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.". I am not saying that you should not read the Bible. Why does Acts not mention the deaths of Peter and Paul? "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (ver. Know the diffrence! Basically the scheme is this--in the previous passage Paul has been saying that the way to God is not that of works and of legalism, but of faith and trust. He is not coming according to the covenant that God established by Moses for sins to be forgiven. This was not a direct and intrinsic effect, of course, but the result of spiritual dealing for the soul. He was "declared," says the apostle, "to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" ( , ver. There is no language where their voice is not heard. The resurrection was an essential of Christian belief. This time Paul quotes Psalms 19:4: "Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." Now there is a tremendous failure some place of getting the message out.For how can they call on Him who they don't believe in? This is to fall back on a principle he had already used. and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? They will never come to faith because they do but look at their face in the glass of the word, and go their way and forget what manner of men they are. 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. A man is responsible for failing to know what he might have known. First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by [them that are] no people, [and] by a foolish nation I will anger you. Although written in Greek, Paul clearly has the Hebrew verb shama in mind. Consequently, in view of the chain of prerequisites listed earlier, some will say that Israels unbelief must have something to do with that chain. 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. To man this is the hardest of all obedience; but when once secured, it leads peacefully into the obedience of every day. But there is much more in Christ than that to which too many souls restrict themselves, not less to their own loss than to His dishonour. Why don't we use the 7805 for car phone charger? God makes Christians by calling them through the glorious gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Timothy 1:11). It is with that objection Paul deals; and, as he deals with it in its various forms, on each occasion he clinches his answer with a text from scripture. But the competency of that qualification, and the sincerity of that inclination, must not be left to the judgment of every man for himself: the nature of the thing will by no means admit this; but, for the preservation of due order in the church, this must needs be referred and submitted to the judgment of a competent number of those who are themselves in that office and of approved wisdom and experience in it, who, as in all other callings, are presumed the most able judges, and who are empowered to set apart such as they find so qualified and inclined to this work of the ministry, that by this preservation of the succession the name of Christ may endure for ever and his throne as the days of heaven. There we find Christian knowledge as to the matter introduced; but still it is the knowledge of one who is not in this state pronouncing on one who is. 22). or who hath been his counsellor? God was rather provoking Israel to jealousy by the call of the Gentiles. 18). The language of faith says, Do nothing. the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. Never lose the balance. "Paul, a bondman of Jesus Christ" an apostle "called," not born, still less as educated or appointed of man, but an apostle "called," as he says "separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets." The Lord save you all, for Christ's sake. This brings out a most emphatic truth and special side of Christianity. He quotes from Joel, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ( Romans 10:5-8 ). Many persons in hearing a sermon, are like children looking, at a cornfield it is full of yellow garlic, or perhaps of scarlet poppies, and they cry "What a lovely field;" but the farmer thinks not so, he is looking for the wheat. "What faith really is, in biblical language, is receiving the testimony of God. May you begin to experience greater victory in your walk with Jesus Christ as you yield yourself to that touch of God and as He molds and shapes you into that person He wants you to be, and as He conforms you into the image of Jesus Christ. Hence, as God's wrath is revealed from heaven, it is against every form of impiety "against all ungodliness." Personally I support the usage of Word of Christ, because this particular verse refers to where faith comes from. For example, Genesis 22:6. There is the vindication of God in His ways with the Old Testament believers. participle. Beware of those endeavors of men today to broaden the gate. There can be no one to proclaim the good news unless God commissions someone to do so." It is surprising how a belief in these things lingers still in what is called this age of light; the notion is still current that if you dream of seeing Jesus, or fancy you have seen him while awake, or if a passage of Scripture strikes you, or if you hear or imagine that you hear a voice speaking to you, you are then a believer. Whatever Gods purposes may be, the Jews are still responsible for their own loss. Faith comes by hearing of the free forgiveness procured by the agony, the stripes, the wounds, the death of Jesus, the lover of our souls. This is what made the gospel to be so sweet and precious, and, what is more, absolutely necessary, if he would escape certain and eternal ruin. For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report? 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. The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Seeing that without faith it is impossible to please God, the grace supposed to be conveyed by the mere participation in sacraments is of small value, it cannot give the cardinal requisite for acceptance before God. Romans 10:17 (KJV) CLOSER READING: This is a very LOUD and vocal text. What he meant was: "Christ is the end of legalism." Time was when none of the English, nor French, nor of any other nation believed in the Saviour. The gospel, as now revealed in the New Testament, has linked with it, though not contained in it, the revelation of divine wrath from heaven, and this, you will observe, according to Paul's gospel. Did not Israel know that the Gentiles were to be called in? and , Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power , Luke 16:29-31 Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them, 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; , Colossians 1:4-6 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which , 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you , 2 Thessalonians 2:13,14 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved , James 1:18-21 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should , 1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, , 1 Peter 2:1,2 Why laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and , Jeremiah 23:28,29 The prophet that has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that has , Mark 4:24 And he said to them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you , Luke 8:11,21 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God, Luke 11:28 But he said, Yes rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, , 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of , Hebrews 4:12,13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any , Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and . "To all that be at Rome, beloved of God, called saints" (ver. The sweet love of Jesus has an omnipotence in it to win souls. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------, Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, January 21st, 1872, by, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. 1. Jewish pretensions were therefore disposed of; not here by new and fuller revelations, but by this divinely skilful employment of their own Old Testament Scriptures. Good! 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. Welcome to Bible Hermeneutics SE and thank you for your contribution. Please be sure to take the, The OP is asking about the use of "Christ" in the KJV. It is no longer a question of man's guilt, but of his nature. They are both true, so you can't reconcile. There Isaiah asks the Lord "who has believed what he has heard from us?" (Isaiah 53:1). They were a disobedient gainsaying people. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. It is God Himself who, infinitely glorified in the Lord that expiated our sins by His one sacrifice, remits them now, not looking for our victory, nor as yet even in leading us on to victory, but by faith in Jesus and His blood. Confess Jesus Christ as Lord. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.". The second plea is not that the rejection of Israel is only partial, however extensive, but that it is also temporary, and not definitive. God created a special message and man is responsible for believing and obeying it. At the same time the apostle does allude to that mystery which was not yet divulged at least, in this epistle; but he points from the foundations of eternal truth to those heavenly heights that were reserved for other communications in due time. If you came to look after the good corn, you would care little for the gaudy poppies of a flaunting eloquence so much regarded by the men of these days. They cannot believe in him of whom they have not heard. Scripture clearly shows that in Pauls day there were many Jews who did not believe. Not so, says the apostle; it is because of the evil of the nature, not of the law. As He has made all, so He is heir of all. And, of course, the way we build up ourselves in the most holy faith is through the Word. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. It was not merely, that he had better light. 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. Certainly. Oh, that we dwelt more on this; that he loved his enemies, that he died for the ungodly, that his heart yearns over the lost sheep, that he is willing to receive prodigal sons, for he is full of grace and truth. This means that faith does not come directly from the Holy Spirit, but comes from that Spirit through his authorship of the holy scriptures, and in the sense of his being the living and causative agent in that word We mean that the Holy Spirit does not enter people's hearts to produce faith, that being the appointed function of the word of God, as revealed here. Some, also, have supposed that true faith will come to men by dreams and visions. as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! This were indeed to deny the value of His death, and of that newness of life we have in Him risen, and a return to bondage of the worst description. Finally, Paul insists that, all through history, God has been stretching out hands of appeal to Israel, and Israel has always been disobedient and perverse. as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Some translations says the word of Christ and others the word of God. Translations differ because of a manuscript variation. If he was called, so were they he an apostle, they not apostles but saints; but still, for them as for him, all flowed out of the same mighty love, of God. I will let my words drop rapidly without any ornament, and remind you, dear friend, that if you have been a hearer and faith has not come to you, you are, this moment, in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. Why has Israel failed to believe and call upon God for salvation? The apostle shows them with astonishing force at the starting-point that he was far from slighting their privileges. Read full chapter Romans 10:17 in all English translations Romans 9 Romans 11 New International Version (NIV) namely, in the eyes of those that hear them. Paul wants the Jews to be saved, but they cannot be saved while trying to create their own righteousness through law-keeping. If you want your faith increased, study the Word of God. "But there is no place for boasting neither now or eternally when we get to heaven and when before the throne I stand in Him complete. Yes, God has chosen and elected and predestined. 3. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.". [b.] 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. Darby's English Translation. Therefore, Christians must be sent to proclaim it (14-15). Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. He shall own that once glorious seat of royalty in Israel. Why? You cannot believe in him unless you hear about him. The whole Jewish approach was that by this kind of obedience to the law a man earned credit with God. No, we will find out next week as we move into Romans 11:0 that God still has a plan whereby He is going to bring salvation to the Jew. O God, it is hell, it is eternal damnation. Through His Word. It denotes a clear and distinct sound, whether of a musical instrument (1 Corinthians 14:7) or of the human voice (CBL, GED, 6:425). So then, you must admit that faith comes by that report ex akoes, 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. And this is a remarkable passage with regard to the efficacy of preaching; for he testifies, that by it faith is produced. cf parallel expression Luke 3:2; John 3:34; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 6:5; Hebrews 11:3. Bible in Basic English. God gave us conscience and the guidance of his Holy Spirit; and often we plead ignorance, when, if we were honest, we would have to admit that in our heart of hearts we knew the truth. Accordingly, in the end of the chapter, he shows that this is most true as applied to the moral judgment of the Jew; that uone so much dishonoured God as wicked Jews, their own Scripture attesting it; that position went for nothing in such, while the lack of it would not annul the Gentile's righteousness, which would indeed condemn the more unfaithful Israel; in short, that one must be a Jew inwardly to avail, and circumcision be of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, whose praise is of God, and not of men. There is more to be said faith and obedience go together.They are not separate.You see when you obey you believe what He said and take action .That is the living faith that can move mountains.The reverse of this is not obeying and taking action so ,faith without works is dead. His grace is his own, distinguishing grace his own, and he dispenses it in a way of sovereignty, gives of withholds it at pleasure--anticipates us with the blessings, the riches choicest blessings, of his goodness. Visions have been seen by heathens like Nebuchadnezzar, and angels have appeared to bad men like Balaam who, though he sighed out, "Let me die the death of the righteous," yet perished, fighting against the God of Israel. 1. What does it mean that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)? Horribly offensive as sin is to God, and inexcusable in the creature, it is sin which has given occasion to the astonishing display of divine righteousness in justifying believers. What did they say to Ishmaelites as joint-heirs? I want to be saved in deed and of a truth." The Holy Ghost, who now gives the soul its consciousness of deliverance from its place in Christ, is also the witness that the body too, the mortal body, shall be delivered in its time. ", But all have not obeyed the good news. The Gentiles did not seem to him to be in the same position as the Jews at all. Of these only a remnant would be saved. This occupies the central part of the chapter, which then closes with the unfailing and faithful power of God for us in all our experiences here below. Wuest Expanded So then, faith is out of the source of that which is heard, and that which is heard [the message] is through the agency of the Word concerning Christ. 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. It is not said to be revealed in the gospel. Now, when you call upon the name of the Lord, God doesn't go down the list and say, "Let's see. If they could feel emotions either of horror or of exquisite delight, they would then, they think, be the possessors of faith; but till they have felt what they have heard described in certain biographies of undoubtedly good men, they cannot believe, or even if they have a measure of faith, they cannot hope that it is true faith. A passage like this may seem strange to us and unconvincing; and it may seem that some at least of the texts Paul quotes have been wrenched out of their context and made to mean what they were never intended to mean. He was Emmanuel, yea, the Jehovah, God of Israel. It is what God has revealed which, alone, can carry conviction to the human heart; and one can only deplore the amazing scarcity of Bible reference in modern pulpits. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but can know the eternal life of God and the glory of God's eternal kingdom and can share as children of God, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, kings and priests in that glorious age that is coming. But I say, Have they not heard? Now it was manifested, and not promised or predicted merely. The gospel means His glad tidings for man. It is his word, sent by his direction. Hear you what God the Lord speaketh, and hear nothing else. In short, it is what the words say "the righteousness of God," and this "by faith of Jesus Christ.". It is against the "unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Nothing shows better the Jewish attitude than the three classes into which they divided mankind. 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. It is the going forth of His richest blessing. Commenting on, Christ Here I am not going to give a translation but a substitution using an analogy used in John 1:1. The middle column agrees with the Greek (per verbum Dei); the final column (per verbu(?) Remember the Samaritan Woman. I am going to reword Romans 10:17 by substituting the words with expanded meanings, and/or loose definition wordings taken from other verses. Romans 10:17: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.". It is hard to trust somebody you don't know. One day I was in my office studying Romans, and I was just so upset I put my Bible down and I said, "God, I can't reconcile it," and I walked out of the room. Here it is not merely the negation of law and of circumcision, but we have the positive side. Is public confession necessary for salvation (Romans 10:9-10)? No more the pitiful accents of one who loves your souls, and fain would snatch you as firebrands from the flame: around you all will be dark, and hard, and the only message for you will be this, "He that is filthy, let him be filthy still.". In the end the soldiers so pitied him that they brought him dressed meat, which was not pork, and told him to eat it and say that he had eaten pork. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. You naturally want to know something about him. But interesting question, how can they call upon the name of the Lord? One is from Deuteronomy 32:21 where God says that, because of Israel's disobedience and rebellion, he will transfer his favour to another people, and they will be forced to become jealous of a nation which has no nation. Aside from here, sound (phthongos) is found only in 1 Corinthians 14:7. It is not among the Gentiles, but in the honoured centre of the polity of Israel. Men have an infinite and fatal capacity for shutting their minds to what they do not wish to see, and stopping their ears to what they do not wish to hear. Thanks for explaining it so clear. Next, he enters upon another branch of the truth the Spirit not as a condition contrasted with flesh (these two, as we know, being always contrasted in Scripture), but as a power, a divine person that dwells in and bears His witness to the believer. 6:5, 11.3, The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. The day hastens when the Redeemer shall come to Zion. and what is that regeneration worth which leaves a person an unbeliever, and, consequently, "condemned already, because he hath not believed on the Son of God?" There is laid down the most essential of all truths as a groundwork of salvation; namely, expiation. (See Acts 18:8 for the process of obeying.). The problem is that none is able to keep the law perfectly. 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. These things are matters of conscience, and depend much for their solution on the degree to which souls have attained. Is there a weapon that has the heavy property and the finesse property (or could this be obtained)? I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I will add another illustration. There is no need to explain to me before I drink that the water is supplied by a company, and forced to the spilt by sundry machines, having been first extracted from the great fountains beneath by artesian wells, or drawn from the river at Thames Ditton. You are quite willing to believe in him, but you cannot blindly follow any man, for there are thousands of quacks and impostors. 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. "What shall we then say that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? "Go to the baker's," you say. God Logos in John 1:1 is diffrent than Christ Christos in Romans 10:17.