The problem for Israel was not hearing. Just as general revelation wordlessly speaks of the glory of God to all of creation, so also “the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17) had analogously been spoken to the Jews and Gentiles (Romans 10:18; cf. Ps 19:4). Neither was the problem for Israel its understanding (Romans 10:19a). They simply refused to obey the call to salvation.

In Romans 9–11, Paul addresses Israel’s present unbelief and future salvation. A quick sketch up to Romans 10:14–21 is that chapter 9 discusses this unbelief from God’s perspective while chapter 10 explains it from Israel’s perspective. Israel has rejected the righteousness of God in Christ because she pursued her own righteousness through the law, a pursuit that would never reach its goal (cf. Romans 9:30–10:13).

“Then” introduces a new section (Romans 10:14), connecting Romans 10:14–21 with Romans 10:13 with the repetition of the word “call.” The subject of Paul’s words is unclear as he spoke of “everyone” (Romans 10:13), leaving the identity of the repeated “they” unclear in Romans 10:14–18. However, Paul clearly identifies “Israel” in Romans 10:19, the main subject of Romans 9:30–10:21 (cf. Romans 9:31; 10:21). Putting these facts together and considering what follows, Paul’s aim in Romans 10:14–21 is explain why most of Israel has not believed or called upon the Lord for salvation. What he says of Israel could apply to other unbelievers as well.

Paul asks four “how?” questions in Romans 10:14–15a. How can one (1) call without believing, (2) believe without hearing, (3) hear without preaching, or (4) preach without being sent? For those who are sent, their feet are as beautiful as those who will tell Israel the good news that God’s eschatological wrath has ended and blessing has begun (Romans 10:15b; cf. Isa 52:7).

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