Why does Romans 10:17 say that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ?

TL;DR:

Romans 10:17 describes the process of coming to faith in Christ. Faith comes as we hear and respond to the good news of the gospel.

In Romans 10, Paul presents the process of coming to faith in Christ, which isn’t by obeying laws but through us responding to God's grace expressed in Christ (Romans 10:4–10). In verse 17 of that chapter, Paul explains that one must first hear about Jesus to have faith in Him. Before that can happen, though, someone must be sent to share “the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Romans 10:17 doesn’t imply that all who hear the good news will receive it. Indeed, in their missionary work, the apostles proclaimed the gospel, but not everyone who heard it responded (Romans 10:16). This included many Jews of Paul’s time who “being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Romans 10:3). Throughout this chapter, Paul highlights the parallel between the stubbornness of the Old Testament nation of Israel and the obstinacy of the New Testament Jews in not receiving the gospel. We are called to respond to the hearing of the gospel and to then share the gospel with others so they can come to faith too.

from the old testament

Isaiah 52:7 is one of the quotes Paul uses in Romans 10: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who bring good news.” This passage highlights the Romans 10:17 assertion that “faith comes by hearing.” People won’t hear if no one is sent to tell them. This is why Isaiah describes those who share the good news as having “beautiful” feet. They are bringing an immeasurable blessing.
God’s plan includes sharing that blessing with all nations. Deuteronomy 32:21 foretells this happening after the Jew’s unfaithfulness toward God: “They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.” The good news would be spread throughout the world.
Despite Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, God promised redemption: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jeremiah 31:31). God will one day ensure that the nation of Israel will be delivered.

from the new testament

Sharing the good news is the first step of the Romans 10:17 process; a message must be preached for others to hear it. Jesus directed His followers to do this in Matthew 28:18–20: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The sharing, hearing, and reception of the gospel is the focus of Jesus’ parable of the sower in Luke 8:4–8. That parable shows the Romans 10:17 process of sowing seed (sharing the good news) but indicates that not all seeds will take root. This applied to many of the Jews Paul referred to in Romans who had heard about Christ but did not accept Him.
A specific example of seed taking root is found In Acts 8:26–40, God sends Philip to preach the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:35). The Ethiopian gained faith by hearing the good news from Philip.

implications for today

Just as God had plans for the nation of Israel, He also has plans for His followers today. God has ensured that we have heard the word of Christ—the message that Jesus died for our sins and conquered death by His resurrection. Believers heard this good news and responded by believing in Him. This brought us salvation from our brokenness and sin. But we’re not just on the receiving end of it. We should also be compelled to share the gospel with others. This doesn’t mean that all Christians must become full-time evangelists, but it does mean that we should have a heart to help others who are in darkness, just as we were before coming to Christ. God can use our everyday actions—e.g., inviting a coworker to church, sharing our faith with a neighbor—to bring others to faith in Christ. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Our telling others about the good news of Christ is an outworking from our salvation.

understand

Faith comes when we hear and respond to the message of Christ; without hearing, there can be no belief.
Faith requires someone to share the gospel.
Hearing the gospel message doesn’t guarantee belief; some choose to reject what they hear.

reflect

How has hearing the gospel impacted your faith, and how can you be more intentional about listening to God's Word?
Who in your life needs to hear the good news, and what will you share with them?
Reflect on a time when you struggled to believe. How did hearing the Word of Christ help you?

engage

What role do you play in the process of others coming to faith? How can you embrace that role more fully?
Why do you think some people choose not to respond to the gospel even after hearing it? How does understanding this affect your approach to sharing your faith?
How does the truth that "faith comes by hearing" shape your perspective on evangelism and discipleship in your community?