Romans 10:14
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?
Original Language Analysis
πῶς
How
G4459
πῶς
How
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
1 of 18
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἐπικαλέσονται
shall they call on
G1941
ἐπικαλέσονται
shall they call on
Strong's:
G1941
Word #:
3 of 18
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
εἰς
him in
G1519
εἰς
him in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
οὗ
of whom
G3739
οὗ
of whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πιστεύσουσιν
believed
G4100
πιστεύσουσιν
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
7 of 18
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
πῶς
How
G4459
πῶς
How
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
8 of 18
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
πιστεύσουσιν
believed
G4100
πιστεύσουσιν
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
10 of 18
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
οὗ
of whom
G3739
οὗ
of whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πῶς
How
G4459
πῶς
How
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
14 of 18
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
Cross References
Titus 1:3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;2 Timothy 4:17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.Ephesians 4:21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.James 5:15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.Acts 8:31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Historical Context
The early church took the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) as literal mandate. Paul's missionary journeys planted churches throughout the Roman Empire within one generation (Rom 15:19-23). Early Christians understood that Christ's return awaited gospel proclamation to all nations (Matt 24:14). This urgency fueled persecution-defying evangelism. Modern "anonymous Christian" theories and pluralistic inclusivism contradict Paul's clear logic: special revelation (the gospel) must be heard for saving faith.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your theology and practice reflect Paul's logic that lost people cannot be saved without hearing the gospel?
- How does this verse challenge both hyper-Calvinism ("God will save the elect without means") and universalism ("sincere seekers will be saved apart from Christ")?
- What is your personal responsibility in the sending-preaching-hearing-believing-calling chain?
Analysis & Commentary
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?—Paul's chain logic (sorites) moves backward from calling (v. 13) to establish evangelistic necessity. Four rhetorical questions with one answer: gospel proclamation is essential. Pōs oun epikalesōntai eis hon ouk episteusan? (πῶς οὖν ἐπικαλέσωνται εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν; "How then shall they call on [Him] in whom they have not believed?")—calling requires prior faith.
Pōs de pisteusōsin hou ouk ēkousan? (πῶς δὲ πιστεύσωσιν οὗ οὐκ ἤκουσαν; "How shall they believe [in Him] of whom they have not heard?")—faith requires hearing the gospel message. Pōs de akousōsin chōris kēryssontos? (πῶς δὲ ἀκούσωσιν χωρὶς κηρύσσοντος; "How shall they hear without one preaching?")—hearing requires a preacher (kēryssō, κηρύσσω, "proclaim, herald"). This demolishes universalism: salvation requires hearing the gospel. It also demolishes Christian passivity: the lost will not be saved without messengers. The logical chain is unbreakable: no preachers = no hearing = no faith = no calling = no salvation.