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!
Study Note
Study Note
The citation of Isaiah 52:7 — 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things' — in support of the chain 'sent → preach → hear → believe → call upon → saved' grounds the universal scope of mission (10:12-13) in prophetic vision. Isaiah 52:7 originally announced the herald running to Zion with news of Babylon's defeat and God's return as king; Paul applies it to the network of sent missionaries whose preaching makes possible the universal calling upon the name of the Lord. The image of 'beautiful feet' (hōraios, 'timely, seasonally appropriate') honors the physical, geographical embodiment of the apostolic mission — that the gospel travels on actual human feet across actual terrain. The verse became the inspiration for countless missionary commissioning services and hymns in Christian history.
Other Translations
and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
and how shall they preach, if they may not be sent? according as it hath been written, `How beautiful the feet of those proclaiming good tidings of peace, of those proclaiming good tidings of the good things!'
And how will there be preachers if they are not sent? As it is said, How beautiful are the feet of those who give the glad news of good things.
Cross References
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto …
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is …
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good …
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift …
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now …
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people …
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto …
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.