Letter to the Romans

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?

And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

But they didn't all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

But I say, didn't they hear? Yes, most assuredly, "Their sound went out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world."

But I ask, didn't Israel know? First Moses says, "I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding I will make you angry."

Isaiah is very bold, and says, "I was found by those who didn't seek me. I was revealed to those who didn't ask for me."

But as to Israel he says, "All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.

I ask then, Did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

God didn't reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don't you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel:

"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life."

But how does God answer him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal."

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.