Steven
E. Runge, High Definition Commentary: Romans
(Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 181-183
Romans 10:14–21
Paul resumes his main theme for this section in 10:14, following his aside of supporting material in 10:2–13. Paul’s detailed description of responding to the gospel sets the stage for him to make a very practical case for the Romans to support his ministry. Certain things must happen for someone to accept the gospel. Paul runs through these needs using a series of rhetorical questions in 10:14–15.
Paul presents a domino trail of necessary actions that highlight the need for ministry to areas like Spain, where Christ had not yet been preached. The entire process presupposes that the gospel will be heard—which means someone must go to preach. If messengers aren’t sent, there can be no positive response. In verse 15, to underscore the importance of those who will go and share the message, Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7, which declares how beautiful and timely are the feet of those who bring the good news. Proclamation of the gospel is paramount for the church to expand.
From this encouraging thought of the gospel going forth, Paul abruptly shifts in verse 16 to the negative reality he is confronting. Not everyone who hears the gospel chooses to respond in obedience. His quotation at the end of verse 16, about the prophet’s message not being heard, suggests a natural consequence. Responding in faith requires hearing, and hearing requires a messenger. Paul thus reinforces the critical role played by those who carry forth the gospel.
Gospel Importance: Paul has mentioned key aspects involved in responding to the gospel: hearing, believing, and confessing. By reiterating these steps, he emphasizes the necessary role that proclamation plays in evangelism through a series of rhetorical questions in 10:14–15. Israel has indeed heard, but in 15:20 Paul makes known his desire to proclaim the gospel where it has not yet been heard.
There is yet another abrupt change in verse 18, where Paul builds on the last rhetorical question in verse 16. Although some can claim ignorance of the gospel, he makes the case in verses 18–21 that the nation of Israel cannot. This is a different side of the same coin Paul mentioned in 10:2–3: Israel as a nation had access to the knowledge of God’s righteousness available through the gospel, but they chose to pursue their own righteousness.
Paul presents Israel’s rejection of God’s righteousness as the first in a long chain of decisions. He begins with God’s declaration that He would use another nation to provoke Israel to jealousy so that they might return to Him (10:19). Paul then cites Isaiah 65:1 to make much the same point he did in 9:30 regarding the Gentiles who found God even though they weren’t seeking Him (10:20). The Gentiles’ actions contrast starkly with Israel’s zealous seeking—in the wrong direction (9:31). To address the latter point, Paul cites Isaiah 65:2 as proof that God has continually extended His hand to Israel, but as a nation they have been disobedient and obstinate in regard to the gospel.
Responding to the Call: Having described the steps involved in responding to the gospel, Paul moves on to describe the results. From a national standpoint, Israel has indeed heard the message, but the Gentiles are the ones who responded. In Romans 11:2–5 Paul makes clear that there is a remnant who believe, including Paul himself.
Paul states that Israel had a chance—there was no lack of messengers, and they did receive the message. But as a nation, Israel chose to turn away. In 9:14–18 Paul presents the idea that God may sovereignly harden whomever He wishes; he will discuss this concept in greater detail in the next section.
Paul makes something of a backward case to accomplish two goals. First, he proves that all of the requirements are in place for the nation of Israel to hear and respond to the gospel. Israel is not some unreached people group; they have simply not recognized the Old Testament prophecies anticipating the Messiah. Second, there is a practical need for missionaries to proclaim the gospel. Although Israel may have had an opportunity to hear and respond, plenty of others haven’t. Paul has not yet mentioned his intention to continue on to Spain, but this section provides important justification for why the Roman church should support his trip.