24.

God’s Plan of Salvation – Part 4

Romans 10:14-21

In our last study of Romans (10:1-13), Paul re-emphasised his teaching on justification
be faith as the way to salvation for both the Jew and the Gentile. Though clearly
emphasising God’s mercy through sovereign election in the previous chapter, Paul has
equally stressed the need for sinners to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Only those who exercise faith in Christ will have the righteousness of Christ imputed to
them, and then will not be put to shame in eternity.

If it is only those who exercise faith in Christ that shall be saved, how will those of God’s
elect be saved that have not yet heard the gospel? It is to this very point that Paul now
turns, explaining the means whereby a sinner comes to faith in Christ.

Please Read Romans 10:14-21

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE:How will a person in the remotest parts of the
Sahara desert become a Christian? Explain hoe the passage answers the question?

Verses 14,15: If the gospel is for all men without distinction, then it follows that the
gospel must be brought to the attention of each person. In these two verses Paul poses
a series of questions that link together, moving from effect to cause in each case. If men
are to call upon God in order to be saved, then these things listed need to happen.

If all men who call upon the Lord shall be saved, then it follows that they need to believe
in Christ. In order to believe they need to hear the gospel. In order to hear the gospel,
there needs to be someone to proclaim it to them (1 Cor 1:21). In order to proclaim the
gospel successfully, the preacher must have been sent by God (2 Cor 5:20,21). Without
these things, one cannot call upon the Lord in order to be saved. As the confession of
faith states, the decree of God not only provides for the ultimate outcome in the
salvation of the elect, but also the very means whereby that outcome is met.

Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 in order to describe the joy and excitement with which a God

Romans Bible Study Series: 24. God’s Plan of Salvation (Part 4) – Romans 10:14-21 1
sent preacher will be received by those who believe the good news of the gospel (Ps
93:1; Rev 19:6). It is not so much the feet of those who proclaim the good news that are
warmly embraced, but the message and its heralds.

Verse 16: Though many will respond in faith to the gospel and good news that is
proclaimed, there are many that will not. All men will not be saved, for not everyone
who hears the gospel will believe it, and this was certainly true of Israel (9:27; 10:21; 1
Cor 10:5). Paul confirms this fact by quoting the experience of Isaiah in Isaiah 53:1. This
quote lends support to the view that Paul has the Jews primarily in view in this passage,
yet he also includes all people as seen by the context of verses 11 to 15.

Verse 17: This verse presents something of a summary to Paul’s latest argument
regarding entrance into the true Israel of God by faith. The necessary faith can only
come by hearing the message of the gospel. Therefore, if people are to believe, the
message must be declared to them, even though the vast majority may reject the
message.

QUESTION: How does this verse emphasis the need for missionaries? Explain.

Verse 18: If verse 17 is true, as it is, why hasn’t everyone believed the gospel, since it
has been widely proclaimed? Paul is probably thinking primarily of the Jews in this
verse, though the passage also applies it to all people.

That the message has indeed been widely declared, is confirmed by Paul in quoting
Psalm 19:4, which refers to the universal declaration of creation. This he does simply to
confirm that the message is now heard throughout the world as the voice of creation is
also heard throughout the world. His thought is quite possibly toward the Jewish
people, of whom the vast majority would have heard of Jesus by this time.

Verses 19-21: This question may mean ‘did Israel understand the gospel,’ or ‘did Israel
not know of the calling of the Gentiles and their own rejection?’ It is difficult to know
which interpretation to prefer. The two quotations that follow are to answer the
question Paul has raised, and therefore the question itself may be understood by the
answer that is given. Perhaps both are intended, but I think the last interpretation is to
be preferred.

The first quote is from Deuteronomy 32:21, where God was provoked to jealousy by
Israel worshipping ‘no-gods.’ God’s judgment upon them would be reject Israel and to
provoke them to jealousy by those that are a ‘no-people.’ Therefore the thought of the
verse is that the Jews were not the true Israel of God, but that others were, or would be
because of God’s judgment upon the Jews for their rebellion against Him.

The second quote is from Isaiah 65:1,2 and this more clearly spells out the fact of the

Romans Bible Study Series: 24. God’s Plan of Salvation (Part 4) – Romans 10:14-21 2
rejection of physical Israel, and the inclusion of the Gentiles. This clearly portrays God’s
sovereign right to extend His salvation to all, taking in those who were previously
outside of the true Israel of God, and the rejection of physical Israel on account of their
rebellion, even though the way was yet still open to them.

INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY

Is there then no room for the Jews in the Israel of God? Explain.

Who are the ‘all Israel’ of Romans 11:26? Explain.

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Romans Bible Study Series: 24. God’s Plan of Salvation (Part 4) – Romans 10:14-21 3