Romans 10
KJV and Stephanus Greek NT
17 αρα η πιστις εξ ακοης η δε ακοη δια ρηματος θεου
Some call Romans 10 the Means of Grace chapter, like Isaiah 55.
The ακοη is translated as hearing, and acoustics come from the Greek word. But does it simply mean hearing?
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
16 αλλ ου παντες υπηκουσαν τω ευαγγελιω ησαιας γαρ λεγει κυριε τις επιστευσεν τη ακοη ημων
If we expand the meaning of ακοη, we could say
"hearing the Report," or
"hearing the Gospel sermon," or
"hearing the Atonement taught."
The Report verse opens Isaiah 53 -
Isaiah 53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
ΚΥΡΙΕ, τίς ἐπίστευσε τῇ ἀκοῇ ἡμῶν...LXX - Greek Old Testament
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Reading Isaiah 53 and the verses just before that chapter, we can see that this is the Gospel of the Old Testament, a precise description of the death of Jesus and the reason for that death.
Since Paul is quoting Isaiah 53, the word for hearing is really meant to include that chapter as the Report. In fact, the New Testament reproduces most of Isaiah 53 if all the quotations are collected. Isaiah 53 is central to NT doctrine and serves as the bedrock foundation of evangelism - it was all revealed centuries before.
This is why serious students need basic NT Greek, because ακοη is translated variously as:
- News, Matthew 4:24
- Hearing, Matthew 13:14
- Fame, Matthew 14:1
- Rumor, Matthew 24:6
- Hearing, Luke 7:1
- Report, Romans 10:16
- Hearing, Romans 10:17
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!
Sent is a key verb in the Gospel of John, describing Jesus as sent from the Father. Jesus sending the disciples is directly related to the Father sending the Son.
The Gospel of Peace is not unilateral disarmament, but the righteousness of faith, forgiveness, which gives peace to those who believe the Report.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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?
Salvation comes from calling on the Lord, the result of believing the Report. The word for hearing is the verb form that forms the climax of the argument - ακοη.
Believing is not the work of man, but the gift of God. Those who constantly, foolishly talk about faith as a work of man are ignorant of Jesus' teaching in John -
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.
Note that Jesus defined the Holy Spirit revealing sin as not believing on Him. John 16:8ff.
John 16:8 And when He [GJ - the Holy Spirit, preaching through the Word] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 Of sin, because they believe not on He;
There is no shame in believing the Gospel of Christ
Romans 10: 11 For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.
As taught in the Reformation, the righteousness of works - which Paul described so eloquently - must be replaced by the righteousness of faith.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Paul preached the Word of faith, a fact never disclosed by the rabid Objective Justification faction. Everything afterwards in Romans 10 is perfectly in harmony with these two verses.
Nothing in Paul's inspired writing leads the reader to imagine that the world was justified, declared righteous, absolved of all sin - when Jesus rose from the dead.
Citing Romans 4:25 for their Objective Justification (Stephan/Walther/Rambach) is proof that the 1932 LCMS convention was a parliament of idiots. The continued abuse of Romans 4:25 proves that nothing is too dumb for false teachers to promote.
