Romans 10:16 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But they have not all obeyed— This seems an objection of the Jews to what St. Paul had said, which he answers in this and the following verse. The objection and answer may stand thus: "You tell us, that you are sent from God to preach the Gospel. If it be so, how comes it that all who have heard, have not received and obeyed; especially if, as you would insinuate, the messengers of good tidings were so welcome to them?" To this he answers, out of Isaiah, That the messengers sent from God were not believed by all. And from those same words he draws an inference to confirm the argument he was upon, namely, "That salvation cometh by hearing and believing the word of God." He had laid it down, Romans 10:8 that it was by their having ρημα πιστεως, the word of faith, nigh them, or present with them, and not by the bodily presence of their Deliverer among them, that they were to be saved. This word he tells them, Romans 10:17 is by preaching brought to be actually present with them and the Gentiles; so that it was their own fault, if they believed it not to salvation. See Locke and Bos.