The Epistles · Chapter 10 of 16

Romans 10

Paul yearns for Israel's salvation. They have zeal but not knowledge, seeking to establish their own righteousness instead of God's. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe. The word of faith is near: confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him, and you will be saved. Whoever calls on the Lord's name is saved, so the gospel must be preached and sent.

What happens in Romans 10

Paul voices his heart's desire that Israel be saved, honoring their zeal for God while grieving that it lacks knowledge. Ignorant of God's righteousness, they labor to establish their own and will not submit to his. Paul declares that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. He contrasts the righteousness of law, which demands doing, with the righteousness of faith, which receives a word already near, in the mouth and heart. Salvation comes by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised him from the dead.

There is no difference between Jew and Greek, for whoever calls on the Lord's name shall be saved. So the gospel must be carried: none can call without believing, believe without hearing, or hear without a preacher who is sent. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Yet Israel heard and largely refused, while God stretched out his hands all day to a disobedient people.

Romans 10 in context

Romans 9 through 11 forms Paul's anguished meditation on Israel. Chapter 9 defended God's sovereign freedom in election; chapter 11 will hold out hope of Israel's future mercy. Chapter 10 sits between, explaining why many in Israel missed the righteousness of faith while Gentiles found it.

Paul writes as a Jew who loves his people, arguing that the gospel he preaches is the very fulfillment their Scriptures pointed toward.

Main themes of Romans 10

Romans 10 (KJV)

1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And 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! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Verses to carry from Romans 10

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”Romans 10:9

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Romans 10:13

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”Romans 10:17

Reflection

If you have been striving to earn God's approval, hear that the word is already near you. You do not have to ascend or descend to reach Christ; he has come near. Turn your striving into trusting, and let your mouth confess what your heart believes.

A prayer from Romans 10