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!

ROMANS 10:15KJV
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Romans 10:15 (KJV)

What does Romans 10:15 mean?

Romans 10:15 says that people cannot share the message of Jesus unless they are sent out to do so, and it praises those who bring the good news as having "beautiful feet." The verse highlights the importance and honor of those who spread the gospel, describing their work as both necessary and wonderful.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, explaining how people come to faith in Jesus. He points out that someone must be sent to preach the message so others can hear and believe. By quoting, "How beautiful are the feet...," Paul uses a familiar Old Testament image to show that bringing good news is a joyful and valued task.

The Greek behind Romans 10:15

  • "Preach" (κηρύσσω, kēryssō, G2784) means to announce or proclaim publicly. In this verse, it emphasizes the act of openly sharing the message about Jesus, not just private conversation.
  • "Sent" (ἀποστέλλω, apostellō, G649) carries the sense of being officially commissioned or dispatched with a purpose. Paul is stressing that preaching is not self-appointed but comes from being sent by God or the church.
  • "Beautiful" (ὡραῖος, hōraios, G5611) is often understood as timely or fitting, not just attractive. Here, it means the arrival of the messenger is welcome and good, not just physically beautiful.
  • "Gospel" (εὐαγγελίζω, euangelizō, G2097) and "tidings" (also εὐαγγελίζω, euangelizō, G2097) both refer to bringing good news. The repetition highlights the positive, joyful nature of the message being shared.

Why Romans 10:15 matters

  • Romans 10:15 clarifies that sharing the gospel is not a random act but something that happens because people are purposefully sent, showing the organized and intentional nature of Christian mission.
  • The verse connects the act of preaching with Old Testament prophecy, showing continuity between the message of Jesus and the promises made earlier in Scripture.
  • By calling the feet of the messengers "beautiful," Paul shifts focus from outward appearance to the value of their mission, helping readers appreciate the importance of those who bring hope and good news.

Where else these words appear

“beautiful” Greek G5611 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
  • Acts 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

“gospel” Greek G2097 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:(he is Lord of all:)
  • 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

“except” Greek G3362 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
  • Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

“preach” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.