Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Original Language Analysis
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
1 of 19
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
κηρύξουσιν
shall they preach
G2784
κηρύξουσιν
shall they preach
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
3 of 19
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
4 of 19
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀποσταλῶσιν
they be sent
G649
ἀποσταλῶσιν
they be sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
6 of 19
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
8 of 19
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Ὡς
How
G5613
Ὡς
How
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
9 of 19
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὡραῖοι
beautiful
G5611
ὡραῖοι
beautiful
Strong's:
G5611
Word #:
10 of 19
belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e., (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively))
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐαγγελιζομένων
and bring glad tidings
G2097
εὐαγγελιζομένων
and bring glad tidings
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
14 of 19
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
εἰρήνην,
of peace
G1515
εἰρήνην,
of peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
15 of 19
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐαγγελιζομένων
and bring glad tidings
G2097
εὐαγγελιζομένων
and bring glad tidings
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
17 of 19
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
Cross References
Isaiah 52:7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!Nahum 1:15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.Ephesians 2:17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Ephesians 6:15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;Isaiah 40:9O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!Ephesians 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;Jeremiah 23:32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.1 Peter 1:12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.Isaiah 57:19I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
Historical Context
Isaiah 52:7-10 prophesied heralds running to announce Yahweh's return to Zion, Israel's redemption from Babylon, and universal salvation. In 537 BC, this found initial fulfillment in Cyrus's decree allowing exiles to return. Paul sees ultimate fulfillment in gospel messengers announcing eschatological redemption in Christ. Ancient warfare made messengers vital—runners brought news of victory or defeat. Gospel preachers are victory heralds: Christ has triumphed, the war is won, peace is declared. This motivates missionary sending.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you view preachers and missionaries with the joy and honor Paul prescribes ("beautiful feet")?
- How is God calling you to be sent—in formal ministry or informal witness—to proclaim the gospel?
- What makes the gospel "good news of peace" and "glad tidings" in our anxious, fragmented world?
Analysis & Commentary
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!—The fifth question: Pōs de kēryxōsin ean mē apostalōsin? (πῶς δὲ κηρύξωσιν ἐὰν μὴ ἀποστάλωσιν; "How shall they preach unless they are sent?"). Apostellō (ἀποστέλλω, "send forth with commission/authority") gives us "apostle"—the sent one. Evangelism requires divine sending, not self-appointment (Heb 5:4; Jer 23:21). God sends through His church (Acts 13:1-4; Rom 15:24).
Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7, Hōs hōraioi hoi podes tōn euangelizomenōn agatha (ὡς ὡραῖοι οἱ πόδες τῶν εὐαγγελιζομένων ἀγαθά, "How beautiful the feet of those announcing good things"). Isaiah celebrated messengers announcing Jerusalem's restoration from exile. Paul applies it to gospel heralds. Hōraios (ὡραῖος, "beautiful, timely, seasonable") describes not aesthetic beauty but timely appropriateness—the joy of messengers bringing desperately needed good news. "Feet" represents the whole messenger, journeying to proclaim.