What does it mean that faith comes by hearing?

The phrase 'faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' (Romans 10:17) highlights the essential nature of the proclamation of the Gospel in the life of a believer. It suggests that hearing God's word is a prerequisite for faith. In the case of Samuel, although he was physically present in the temple and saw the rituals, he had not yet come to a personal acknowledgment of God until that divine revelation occurred. This emphasizes that, while the act of hearing—listening to sermons, reading Scripture, engaging with the Gospel—does not, by itself, produce faith, it is the means through which God communicates to His chosen ones, ultimately granting them a true understanding and belief in Him.