Faith Comes by Hearing

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

In the time of Paul and the apostles, believers would gather in someone’s house (church) and a designated person would bring a letter from Paul or the other apostles. They would get up and read from the letter, possibly without breaks, all the way through. In the letter to the Romans, Paul outlines the difference between allegiance to law as a means of salvation vs. the free gift of God through His grace. Since there were no chapter breaks, no verses marked, the believers in that house church would hear the words of Paul in its entirety. There was no time to stop and meditate on what Paul meant to say when he said for example,

“The Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets, as written in the Holy Scriptures. It is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ” v. 2-3

These words come and go so quickly, that it would be hard to process everything in detail. However, one advantage for the ones listening, is that they would hear the whole argument from Paul, from beginning to end.

For example, believers could note right away that Paul explains the gospel (good news) is not about our own salvation, but about a person and what God is like:

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed…” v. 16 In the way that God deals with humans we can see how just, truthful, honest and loving He is.

For most of the letter, Paul then explains that God will save all who trust in Him. Regardless of whether or not a person followed the Jewish law and its customs or not, such as the gentiles.

As he gets toward the end of the letter, he starts to clarify as to what kind of people we must be now that “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” 8:1

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 12:2

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” 12:10

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 12:13-21

By the time the letter is finished, a few of these things may have stayed in people’s minds:

1. The gospel is about God and his own righteousness.
2. The law is insufficient and cannot grant salvation.
3. We are all equal in God’s sight, both Jews and gentiles, regardless of what we have been entrusted with (law and its customs).
4. When we are in Christ, we are children of the promise to Abraham.
5. There is still a spiritual struggle between living as children of God in the Spirit vs. our fleshly/worldly desires that we must overcome.
6. If/when we fail to do so, however, there is NO condemnation if we are in Christ because where sin abounds grace abounds much more.
7. Therefore, because we are not condemned, we ought to live like true children, true ambassadors of God’s kingdom and no longer according to our fleshly desires.

I encourage you to find an audio bible and listen to Romans from beginning to end. Write down the verses or phrases that stick out to you in the narrative. What are the themes that pop out to you? Try to do it in a common language version, for Paul wrote in the common language of the day so all could quickly understand. My favorite so far has been Today’s English Version (Good News Translation), even though I know some areas are a bit more embellished.

It is a blessing though to hear God’s word from time to time as opposed to reading it, after all, faith comes by hearing.

Image: Epistle to the Romans 1:1-7; oxyrhynchus 209, manuscript of the New Testament, designated by P10 on the list Gregory-Aland.