10^th Chapter of Romans

Romans 10:1 (all verses are from the New International Version)

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

THE JEWISH PROBLEM

One of the greatest stumbling blocks to the general acceptance of the Gospel of Christ was Jewish unbelief. While considerable numbers of Jews, especially in Judea, had become Christians, the nation as a whole was not only unbelieving but bitterly antagonistic. The Jewish rulers had crucified Christ. They had persecuted the church at every opportunity. It was Jewish unbelievers who made trouble for Paul in almost every city he went. If Jesus was really the Messiah promised in the prophetic writings of their own Scriptures, how did it happen that God's own nation rejected Him? Chapters 9, 10 and 11 contain the Spirit's answer. -- Halley's Bible Handbook

Even though Paul just finished describing at the end of the last chapter Israel's situation as bleak (morbid, hopeless and barren), he still has much hope for their salvation, shown by his prayer to God for all Israel to be saved. It was his heart's desire! The only barrier to Israel's salvation was their own unbelief. Paul desires for them to be saved through the Gospel, specifically through the words of Jesus (Rom_10:16-17). As much as Paul loved his countrymen he knew their hope was only in Christ. This proves Paul was not a pre-millennialist since he didn't believe that all Israel would be saved - only those who are in Christ!

Is this how you pray for those you love? Is it your conviction that without the Gospel they will never have hope? If so then your heart's desire will be to pray for them to accept the Gospel and to use every opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

Romans 10:2

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

Paul mentions five things that were preventing Israel from being saved. These five barriers also prevent any person, not just Israelites, from being saved.

1 - Zeal Without Knowledge

Hos_4:6 NIV My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.

The Jews had the desire to be a holy people, belonging to God and destined for greatness, but they were not knowledgeable in the pursuit of that goal. Theirs was a pure desire of the heart, void of concrete action or plan on how to be fulfilled. We know the dangers the heart harbors (Jer_17:9; Luk_6:45). Without God's knowledge to guide the heart, any zeal can lead you astray. Zeal for anything without godly knowledge from the Bible is a purely subjective venture which brings about the consequences of the next four barriers which continue to obstruct salvation.

Paul says here that he was personally able to testify about their zeal. He knew it firsthand as a former Pharisee! The Old Testament has many examples of the zeal of the Jews for God, how they detested paganism and the prominent polytheism of the Greek and Roman cultures.

In the absence of knowledge you will fill in from your own heart the things you consider to be good and righteous. These however, have no power or no value in God's sight for they are worthless and vain. In the absence of knowledge you end up worshipping your own heart.

Mat_15:6-9 NIV Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"

Mat_22:29 NIV Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

Romans 10:3

Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

2 - Ignorant of the righteousness of God

Having a desire for something is never enough. It is a good starting point that needs to be followed up by concrete plans of action. In the absence of specific knowledge to be able to fulfill your desire (ignorance), you will seek to establish your own convictions about the matter and fail to submit to true wisdom, which in this case is the righteousness of God.

3 - Sought to establish their own righteousness

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2Ti_4:4). This is what Israel, and anyone who ignored God's righteousness, eventually does by default. They implement their own traditions and religious devices as if by them they can gain the righteousness of God that is alone in Jesus Christ (Rom_1:16-17). Turning aside from truth will always be detrimental! The only way not to turn to myths is by not turning away from the truth!

4 - Failed to submit to God's righteousness

Rom_10:3 NIV Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

An example of how the Jews failed to submit to God's righteousness in the Gospel by trying to establish their own is found here:

Act_15:1-5 NIV Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. 5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."

Here are some ways religious groups today make the same mistake and end up condemning themselves and those who hear them instead of saving them:

1. Those who profess salvation by faith only, aside from obedience.

2. Those who profess salvation by accepting/believing Jesus into their heart.

3. Those who claim it makes no difference what one believes.

4. Those who profess one church just as good as another.

5. Those who say yes to the man, but no to the plan.

6. Those who profess "once saved, always saved".

7. Those who profess that it takes a direct operation of the Holy Spirit to be saved.

Romans 10:4

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 - They failed to believe in God's plan fulfilled through Jesus!

They failed to accept Christ, who is the end (telos: (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose)) of the law. As we learned in chapter 4 the law of Moses, held so dearly by the Jews, was completely fulfilled in Jesus. Moses' Law was a temporary measure until all righteousness could be fulfilled in Christ by faith:

Rom_4:13 NIV It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Gal_3:24 NIV So the law was put in charge (was our custodian [tutor]) to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

So Jesus is the end of the law bringing true righteousness that is by faith for everyone who believes. Of course this last clause, to everyone who believes, is a synecdoche for God's entire plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Paul could have used any number of synecdoches he's used before like, to everyone in Christ, or to everyone who has faith, or to everyone who obeys, etc.

The preposition to (in for righteousness to everyone) expresses purpose or goal. Christ is not the end of the law in an absolute sense. He does not abolish the will of God as expressed in the law. Rather his coming signals its end with regard to the attainment of righteousness (that is, right relationship with God). He is the revelation of God’s righteousness (Rom_1:17). His life is an incarnation of God’s relation-restoring action, God’s way of setting us right (Rom_10:3). Therefore, the law as a means of approach to God, as that which determines relationship with God, as that which was perceived in Paul’s Jewish tradition to lead to life on the basis of conformity, has been abolished. (In this passage) we are confronted with the affirmation that the law no longer determines our relationship with God. -- Hard Sayings of the Bible (emph. mine)

Mat_5:17 NIV Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Act_3:22 NIV For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you."

Joh_1:17 NIV For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:5

Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."

Paul is quoting Lev_18:5. Righteousness based on the law was defined as by how well you followed (lived, applied) the commandments, that is, how well you obeyed them.

We know of no one who was able to keep the commandments perfectly other than Jesus Christ. He obtained righteousness by His perfect faith, becoming the source of righteousness for all who have been transferred to Him by faith.

The mountain fact concerning Christ is that he indeed kept the law perfectly, his faith and obedience reaching a state of absolute perfection for every second of his total life on earth. That is what God requires to save any man. That is the righteousness which alone can save; and it is available to people "in Christ"; the great device of God's redemption plan being not that of transferring righteousness into sinners, but that of transferring sinners into Christ, where the righteousness is. -- Coffman

Romans 10:6-7

But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

RIGHTEOUSNESS BASED ON FAITH

It is important to be reminded again how true righteousness is obtained by faith. This is the perfect kind of righteousness, the one based on faith. Not because it is based on our perfect faith but because it is based on the faith of Jesus who is our righteousness! Recall the following passages we studied from the King James Version:

Rom_3:22 KJV Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:

Phi_3:9 KJV And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Gal_2:16 KJV Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Justification by faith is not from the sinner's point of view but from the faith of Jesus. Any attempt to make man's faith a basis of justification ends up being a meritorious attempt at justification, which reduces the faith to a work; akin to being justified by works of law. -- Pedro Gelabert, Commentary on Romans Chapter 3

What follows in verses 6-8 is a parallel of Jewish or worldly expectations (righteousness based on law) and Christian expectations (righteousness based on faith). Paul borrows the form of his expression from Deu_30:11-14 :

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

We could consider this a Messianic prophecy since it is talking about the Word of God, the commandments, being the central focus. Notice how Moses is reassuring the Israelites that God has not asked them to do something too difficult or beyond their reach. All they are required to do is keep that word, which is always near, in their mouth and in their heart in full obedience.

Paul changes the words slightly to accommodate for the Jew's lack of faith in Christ expressed in such words during his crucifixion:

Mat_27:40 NIV "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

Mar_15:30 NIV ...come down from the cross and save yourself!"

Luk_23:39 NIV "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

Luk_23:37 NIV "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

So Paul is taunting their lack of belief in these expressions by putting these words in their mouth to mirror the encouragement given by Moses to the Israelites in the desert: "All right, if Jesus is the Messiah, bring him down from heaven, or up from the grave, and let him lead our nation in throwing off the yoke of Roman bondage."

But if their righteousness was based on actual faith they would not have asked such things for they would have recognized the Messiah in Jesus Christ!

The Jews expected a physical restoration of their kingdom (Act_1:6), something God had never planted in their minds - they were the ones who originally wanted a physical kingdom, to be like the rest of the world (1Sa_8:7). So the restoration they were expecting was a physical one instead of God's true Kingdom fulfilled - a kingdom not of this world (Joh_18:36)! But they didn't recognize God's Son nor God's intent (Joh_1:11). They were expecting signs and wonders and the only one they got was the sign of Jonah (Mat_12:38-39).

Just as the people of Moses’ day did not have to go to heaven to find out what was right, neither did they have to descend into the deep to discover truth, because it had been revealed by God. The same is true with Jesus and the gospel of Christ. -- World Video Bible School Commentary

Those who are righteous by faith don't have their eyes set on the external (physical) things: miracles, wonders and signs - they have their focus set on God's Word - on obeying Him as we will see it beautifully explained in verses 9-13.

Col_3:1-3 NIV Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

So many today, like the people back then, want to try to find the truth by any other means than by looking at Jesus. They would rather believe in anything ludicrous or senseless than in the simple Gospel of Jesus. Anything that tries to distract you from the Gospel, especially using some sort of sign or wonder or false miracle is the work of the devil:

2Th_2:9-10 NIV The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Real miracles, signs and wonders were already used to establish the Gospel (Mar_16:15-20; Act_2:22; Act_5:12; Act_14:3; 2Co_12:12; Heb_2:4). They are not used by God anymore (1Co_13:8-10), but by the devil to detract from the work of God! But beware, these "new" miracles, signs and wonders are fake! They never have been nor will be like anything the people experienced at Jesus' hands or the apostle's hands.

Many people also depend on human tradition and other things they have learned in the world that may sound wise or cunning, but really is hollow and deceptive. Faith, which comes from hearing the words of Jesus (Rom_10:17) is the only real thing.

Col_2:6-8 NIV So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Many more nowadays like to base their lives on visions and other psychic or "spiritual" phenomena. These are in complete disconnect with reality and with Jesus. Rules and regulations that usually govern this kind of "wisdom" give it up as human commands and teachings that have no spiritual power.

Col_2:18-23 NIV Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Romans 10:8

But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

So, what does real wisdom dictate? What does righteousness based on faith says?

Here we go back to Deu_30:11-14:

1. The word is near you - You don't have to do the impossible to get the wisdom of God. It is not at the top of the mountain nor at the bottom of the ocean nor in some remote location on outer space. It is near! As near as God is (Act_17:26-28)! All you have to do is accept this word by faith. That's the only way you can make it yours - by accepting it, taking it in, taking your stand on it by obeying it (1Co_15:1-4). Then it will be in your mouth and in your heart:

2. The word is in your mouth - What can you do when the Word of God is in your mouth? Can you keep it in and not let it out? Jeremiah tried this and could not (Jer_20:9)! God's word is to be confessed (acknowledged; professed) as we will see in the next verse. Our job as vessels of honor is to deliver the Word that has been planted in us for the salvation of other souls. No other job precedes this one!

3. The word is in your heart - The heart is where we form convictions based on what we learn. The heart is not to form convictions based on what we feel - that's the sickness of the heart (Jer_17:9-10). It should harbor convictions based on what we know to be true. Remember that Paul's point here is that the Jews had zeal without knowledge. Our knowledge comes from God's Word - point being that it is God's Word that should reign and guide our heart (2Co_4:6)!

Righteousness based on faith is concerned about letting the word be planted in our mouth and in our heart! Any word or idea or doctrine? NO! The Spirit is talking about the word of faith proclaimed by Jesus, Paul and the other apostles - the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

We are to believe and accept and work the words God has planted in our mind and heart! We do that by allowing the words to transform us within (Rom_12:2) and letting the word out of our mouths for others to be able to take them in and be transformed by them! The word is to be preached (proclaimed) (kerusso: to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): - preach, proclaim, publish.) in order to accomplish this.

Romans 10:9

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The righteousness based on faith is based on confession and belief.

The purpose of the mouth is to confess (derived from: homo - together; same and logos - words; speech | homologeo: to assent, that is, covenant, acknowledge: - confess, profess, declare openly and freely; give thanks, promise.) God's words stored in your heart. Being that the tongue is such a dangerous tool (Jas_3:5-8), one to be used with great caution (Jas_3:1-2), the safest way to use it is to be dedicated to use it to save and build others up by proclaiming the Word of God!

It (to confess) properly means to “speak what agrees with something which others speak or maintain.” Thus, confession or profession expresses our “agreement or concord with what God holds to be true, and what he declares to be true.” It denotes a public declaration or assent to that, here expressed by the words “with thy mouth.” A profession of religion then denotes a public declaration of our agreement with what God has declared, and extends to all his declarations about our lost estate, our sin, and need of a Saviour; to his doctrines about his own nature, holiness, and law; about the Saviour and the Holy Spirit; about the necessity of a change of heart and holiness of life; and about the grave and the judgment; about heaven and hell. As the doctrine respecting a Redeemer is the main and leading doctrine, it is put here by way of eminence, as in fact involving all others; and publicly to express our assent to this, is to declare our agreement with God on all kindred truths. -- Albert Barnes

Our confession can occur like this:

Mat_10:32-33 NIV Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Proclaiming Jesus publicly to all peoples is our main form of confession. Your confession should also be witnessed and corroborated by others who hold to the same standard when you first decide to join Jesus in baptism:

1Ti_6:12 NIV Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul is probably referring to when Timothy first confessed Jesus as Lord when he was baptized, but we cannot limit the scope of this verse to be a one-time profession of our faith in light of Mat_10:32-33. It is like the confession of a couple's love for each other on their wedding day - staring out as a public profession of their love, yet that confession needs to continue if the marriage is to continue.

The Spirit, through Paul, is fighting the formula-like religion the Jews were professing. They had narrowed everything down to a formula, which is why they neither confessed nor really believed on a continual basis. Not only that, but they were also confessing to man-made rules and regulations, which caused them to judge each other and further lies and deceptions amongst God's people. That is not what righteousness based on real faith is about. Think about the problem many so called churches face: their own destruction by confessing man made doctrine (Jas_3:14-16). Remember, you don't need to go to a college, seminary or any other man-made institute to have God's Word - it is near!

Our confession needs to be Jesus-centered. All we say, and for that matter, all we do needs to be Jesus-centered. Everything that comes out of our mouths needs to uphold Jesus as Lord. Everything that we do needs to say Jesus is Lord. Our confession needs to be a testimony of our lives in Christ.

Jas_3:17-18 NIV But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

The correct use of the heart God gave us is to hold onto those Words no matter what - to believe them. To believe is to be convicted by those Words from the Bible and let them guide everything we do. We don't just believe anything, but something very specific that will make our faith flourish the way God wants it to flourish: we need to be convinced that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is one of the tenets of the Gospel message (1Co_15:3-4). If you are absolutely convinced of that, nothing else will matter and you will go on living your life as though Jesus died yesterday, rose today and is coming tomorrow! Everything that you do in this life will be affected by that belief - it will change you thoroughly, which is the purpose of God planting the Gospel seed in your heart! That is what the Word of faith is for!

This type of confession and belief (faith) will save you.

Actively confessing Jesus at your baptism because you really believe God raised Him from the dead and the subsequent active confession of Jesus before men is a test to true discipleship. Paul relayed this to Timothy with slightly different words:

1Ti_4:16 NIV Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

By mentioning "hearers" it obviously means that persevering in the faith at some point requires active confession of it to others. Notice how salvation is a result in both this verse, Rom_10:9 and 1Ti_4:16.

Does this mean that the entire salvation plan is contained within these two passages? All we have to do is believe God raised Jesus from the dead and confess this Gospel to other people and we will be saved? Well, by saying "Gospel" I am already letting you know the right answer. We've already seen from Romans 6 that obedience to the Gospel involves uniting ourselves to Christ through baptism, which is how we get the word of God in us in the first place - by having us get into Jesus through baptism. Since Paul already mentioned this back in chapter 6, Paul is talking about keeping our salvation here in this verse. How you keep yourself saved is by continuing to be convicted in your heart and confessing with your mouth. You don't have to perform any difficult or improbable feat, nor go to great lengths other than continuing to keep your focus on the Gospel in your heart and coming out of your mouth. That's the simple Gospel truth!

How this verse is taken out of context

Despite this simple truth, we know many man-made churches have based their entire doctrine on this verse. They say "confess that Jesus is Lord and believe Him into your heart and you will be saved", or some variant of this. This doctrine is misquoted, misapplied and taken entirely out of context.

1. Misquoted - These charlatans (people who makes elaborate, fraudulent, and often voluble claims to skill or knowledge; a quack or fraud) don't even quote it right: It doesn't say "accept Jesus into your heart" nor does it say "believe Jesus into your heart."

2. Misapplied - confession is misapplied. To confess, within the context and meaning of the word, is not just to say "Jesus is Lord". It means to teach it with understanding and to acknowledge it by how you live. It is not a one-time event thing, but a continual confession that saves us, as it is a continual conviction. This type of conviction saves because it will guide you to obey the Gospel, as the Romans had done it - by being immersed to be united with Jesus (Rom_6:3-4).

3. Taken out of context - the context in this passage is the difference between righteousness based on faith and law-keeping. The context is not limited to obtaining salvation by superficially doing what verses 9 and 10 say. It is not a formula for achieving salvation. It is that very treatment of Scripture that the Holy Spirit is condemning in this passage since the Jews had everything narrowed down to a formula, which is why they neither confessed nor really believed on a continual basis. To the Jews, faith in God was a checklist of things to do.

Romans 10:10

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Heart

The only cure for a desperately sick heart (Jer_17:9) is full surrender in faith to Jesus. With the heart we believe (1Jn_5:10). Our belief begins with the mind, for faith comes from understanding, not feeling, as we will see in verse 17. However, since the heart influences us so heavily to sin (Mat_15:19), ultimately that deep seated believe needs to reside in the heart to bring our emotions and feelings under control. The kind of belief that leads to fruit of the Spirit (Gal_5:22-25) is the kind of belief that justifies a person in the eyes of God. This belief is shown by obedience from the heart (Rom_6:17), like Abraham's faith (remember chapter 4?). It is not merely an intellectual belief as many false teachers profess. True belief from the heart produces obedience from the heart, which justifies us and leads on to confess (testify) our faith.

Mouth

Mat_12:34-35 NIV You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

Mat_15:18-19 NIV But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

These passages, along with Jas_3:5-8 teach us how connected the mouth is to the heart. Only someone who can show great restraint in what he says (Jas_3:2; Jas_1:19) can love perfectly. Our mouths should be limited to praising God and testifying about our Lord Jesus' love and salvation.

Actively confessing Jesus at your baptism because you really believe God raised Him from the dead and the subsequent active confession of Jesus before men is a test to true discipleship. Paul relayed this to Timothy with slightly different words:

1Ti_4:16 NIV Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

By mentioning "hearers" it obviously means that persevering in the faith at some point requires active confession of it to others. Notice how salvation is a result in both this verse, Rom_10:9 and 1Ti_4:16.

In speaking of believing and confessing Paul is showing us all how close salvation is to anyone who believes and confesses! Of course, we know repenting (Rom_2:4), being baptized (Rom_6:3-4) and persevering (Rom_5:3-4) are also included in this synecdoche. There was no other "formula" for salvation, no other hoops to jump through, nor other lists of things to accomplish. God's plan is simple but profound, and requires delivering our heart and mind (and body) unto Him for salvation. This is what righteousness based on faith says since the days of Abraham!

Romans 10:11

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Paul is quoting from Isa_28:16

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed."

True belief in Jesus as Lord, God's chosen Messiah, from the heart and from confession, results in glorification.

Mat_10:32-33 NIV Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

A slight variation from:

Mar_8:38 NIV If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.

The opposite of glorification with Jesus is being an outsider, shamed as a result of unbelief as seen in these pronouncements by Jesus unto those who lacked faith:

Mat_8:12 NIV But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat_22:13 NIV Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Mat_25:30 NIV And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

This is the simple faith that justifies - even Abraham!

Many false teachers use Rom_10:11 to summarize their misinterpretations on Rom_10:9-10, trying to further the faith only false doctrine but finding themselves contradicting their very own suppositions. If it were true that you only needed to possess faith only, without anything else added to it, then why do you need to confess? Then why the need to even believe? If belief is the only thing needed, even aside from obedience (since this crowd objects to anything the believer should do, otherwise your salvation wouldn't be genuine according to their standards), then why confess? And doesn't belief necessitate something the believer needs to do anyway? See, they get caught up in their own decadent and illogical loop.

We understand Rom_10:11 to be the ultimate synecdoche of all the Spirit has informed us thus far in this epistle.

Romans 10:12

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

The one Gospel Paul begins to mention in Rom_1:16 is being announced again - the Gospel of Jesus, the one approved by God, the precious cornerstone we can all trust!

This is for both Jew and Greek for God is one (Eph_4:4-6). God will not do things differently for one group of people than for another. His plan was to have them all together as one from the beginning (Joh_10:16; Gal_3:8). He does not play favorites! God's desire is to bless everyone who calls on Him. He is no respecter of man, as Paul already told the Romans:

Rom_2:9-11 NIV There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

This was very hard to accept for the Jews, since they had hated Gentiles through the ages. They could not imagine themselves being grouped together with Gentiles, much less by God's own authority! This was a challenge to their man-made faith. They were being challenged to have real faith - real belief. We also are to surpass the traditional perspectives we have adopted from our own society and prejudices. Our faith needs to be from a pure heart:

2Ti_2:22 NIV Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Calling on the Lord is perhaps the greatest synecdoche Paul introduces here, which I will get into in the next verse.

Romans 10:13

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

And how do we call on the name of the Lord?

The Scriptures interpret this exactly so that it shouldn't be left up to anyone's presumption:

Act_22:16 NIV And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

So within these few verses, which are falsely interpreted by those who twist the Scriptures to mean "salvation by faith only" (a Biblically false idea); the Spirit brings together all the elements of a faith that saves into this final synecdoche: everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

This expression was used throughout the book of Acts when preaching the Gospel (beginning with Peter's sermon on Pentecost - Act_2:21) and also used by Paul here in Romans and in Corinthians (1Co_1:2) to refer to those who desire salvation and obey the Gospel, answering God's call (Act_2:39; Rom_1:7; Rom_8:28; 1Co_1:9). So it is really God who has called us and we reply by calling on Him! This expression originated in Joe_2:32 :

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

Since it is Peter who begins to preach the Gospel with these very words from Joel, drawing a question from the crowd upon finishing: "what shall we do?" Peter himself gives them the very words found in Act_22:16, perhaps because Act_22:16 is a copy of his first act of preaching that Gospel!:

Act_2:37-39 NIV When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

As we can see here, it is our Lord who calls us, and we answer by calling on His name just like it happened with Samuel (1Sa_3:1-10). The end result of calling on God's name must be obedience to His word. Calling on God by your own standard will not achieve you salvation:

Mat_7:21-23 NIV "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Simply calling on God does not mean you know Him (Luk_6:46). Knowing Him begins by obeying His will, which means your will has to die, as we know from Romans 6.

Therefore, Paul has arrived at these conclusions: (1) justification is by faith; (2) justification is by the same method for both Jew and Gentile alike; (3) the Jew is responsible for his present spiritual condition because he has not called “upon the name of the Lord.”

Romans 10:14

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

FAITH BASED ON THE WORD OF CHRIST

Now the details on how those words of faith that save come to us is given. Like the Spirit tells us, the words don't arrive by personal visions from Heaven, or by any human feat or intellectual or philosophical prowess. No - the words that save come to us by people that have already received that word from someone else; tracing the origin all the way back to the apostles who first received it, like Paul himself tells the Corinthians:

1Co_15:1-4 NIV Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...

1. Paul reminds them of the Gospel he preached

2. It is this Gospel that saves, no other!

3. It saves you by holding firmly to the words given to you, not to your own or someone else's ideas!

4. To believe in vain is to alter the original word passed on to you or to hold on to other words different from the ones given to you

5. This gospel that saves was received by Paul from Jesus Himself in the vision on his way to Damascus (Act_26:16)

In the next few verses we trace the Gospel's lineage and the Spirit makes sure we understand this Gospel is not a personal message tailored to the individual - no; it is an all inclusive Gospel message - the same for all! As Peter says:

2Pe_1:20-21 NIV Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

In these verses Paul informs us in reverse order that if people are to be saved (1) a preacher must be sent; (2) the message must be preached; (3) the message must be heard; and (4) the message must be believed. -- Believer's Study Bible

God has made sure this message gets to everyone! It s God who is behind the missionary effort and who makes sure Gospel preachers go where they are needed (Act_17:26-31). God has made His Gospel very available! It is always near those who need it! Whoever is near you, who carry the Gospel, is near to salvation!

”Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This truth is for all people of all classes, colors, cultures, and countries. Anyone who turns to Jesus Christ will be saved. He is rich to all who call upon Him. That should encourage our sharing the gospel with everyone. People are lost until they hear the gospel and believe it. Many may not hear if you do not obey God’s call and witness to the gospel. -- Disciple's Study Bible

Let's break down the Spirit explains in these verses:

I. You need to believe something specific to be able to call on the name of the Lord

A. It is not a general belief in Jesus or God.

B. It is not a personal belief in Jesus or God

C. It is a belief that you don't originally have

D. This specific belief needs to be taught to you

1. You need to believe specific things about Jesus and how to get into Him (Rom_10:9-10; Rom_6:3-4)

2. You need to believe God sent Him from Heaven

3. You need to believe He is the Son of God - He comes from God and is God (Joh_8:24)

4. You need to believe He is Lord and Savior

5. You need to believe that you need to give up your life and unite yourself to Him to be saved (Rom_6:3-4)

6. You need to believe the Gospel: Jesus' death, burial and resurrection (1Co_15:1-4)

7. You need to obey that Gospel! (2Th_1:8;1Pe_4:17)

II. There is something you need to hear to be able to believe and call on the name of the Lord

A. The word that saves doesn't come by personal revelation or inspiration (2Pe_1:20-21)

B. The word that saves is passed on to you by someone who has already received it

C. You will not learn it from the world

D. You are not born knowing it

E. You need to hear about Jesus to believe in Him! (Rom_10:17; 1Co_15:1-4)

1. You need to hear His story in the Bible

2. You need to hear His words from the Bible

3. You don't need to hear someone's interpretation

4. You don't need to hear someone's opinion

III. Someone needs to preach that message you need to hear to believe and call on the Lord's name

A. The message is relayed through people

B. The people get the message from the Bible (Rom_10:17)

C. The word of Christ is found in the Bible

D. Make sure that what you are hearing is the message in the Bible! There is no other message that can save you (Act_4:12; 1Co_15:1-4).

Romans 10:15

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

IV. Someone needs to be sent to preach the message that needs to be believed for you to call on the name of the Lord

A. A specific someone must be sent, some who is prepared

B. Not just anybody is sent

C. A Gospel preacher is sent - these were the evangelists

1. Timothy was sent - 1Co_4:17; Php_2:22; 1Th_3:2-5

2. Titus was sent - 2Co_8:16-17; 2Co_8:23; Tit_1:5

V. Those who are sent are beautiful containers of truth!

A. These are the vessels of honor!

B. They are involved in the work of the Gospel!

C. They only preach the Word of God!

Paul is quoting here Isa_52:7:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Perhaps this is a prophecy of those who would bring the Gospel to Israel in the first century A.D. - the apostles, prophets and evangelists of that time. Remember that "Gospel" means "good tidings".

From heaven's viewpoint, there is nothing more beautiful than the message-bearer of God's merciful offer of salvation to people. Hope for lost and fallen humanity does not derive from anything that man can do for himself, nor from anything that he might either build on earth or hurl out into space. Nothing that man can send up into heaven can save him, for it is God's message alone that can cleanse his sins, break the chains of his bondage, and endow his spirit with love and hope. How pitiful, ineffectual and utterly inadequate God's plan appears to the dim eyes of mortal people. Save the world by preaching? Ridiculous. Paul himself acknowledged this when he wrote:

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe (1Co_1:21).

Therefore, people must look again at the method God has chosen; and, remembering the omnipotence of him who chose, the divinity of the message, and the power of the living word, they must dare to trust and use the means God elected as the instrument of his holy will. Churches should cease their striving after new methods, novel devices, and so-called "modern approaches" to saving people's souls. There is only one way: preach the word! -- Coffman

Romans 10:16

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"

And we come to the sad truth: not everyone obeys. Here we see that salvation comes by obedience!

1Pe_4:17 NIV For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

2Th_1:8 NIV He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Act_5:32 NIV We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

Act_6:7 NIV So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

And one of our theme verses in Romans:

Rom_1:5 NIV Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

The fact that they have not obeyed means they have not believed. What have they not believed? Specifically, Paul quotes Isa_53:1, the beginning of the messianic prophecy of Jesus containing the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. They have not believed in Jesus, the Messiah, sent by God to redeem His people and forgive their sins.

1. They did not believe

2. They did not obey

3. They have not found salvation

Mat_7:13-14 NIV Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Revelation requires a faith response to Jesus Christ who delivered God’s revelation in Person. Not all who see and witness God’s manifestation respond in faith and belief, as the Old Testament repeatedly witnesses. -- Disciple's Study Bible

Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

"So", means here comes the conclusion of this matter. What do we conclude?

1. Faith comes from hearing

a. Hearing enables you to understand which enables you to believe and be convicted to obey

2. Hearing through the Word of God (Christ)

a. The Word of God and the Word of Christ are identical (Joh_12:49)

One of the most illustrative passages in the New Testament about the origin of faith: faith comes from hearing the message. Not just any message on God and Jesus, but the message that comes from the words of Jesus - the words we find in the Bible of Jesus Himself and those words He spoke through the apostles' writings:

Joh_17:6-8 NIV I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word (They obeyed). 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me (They believed).

Joh_17:14-23 NIV I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me.

1. The rest of the people in the word would believe through the apostles message

2. We preach that message today when we preach from their word in the Bible, which is Jesus' word He gave them

3. Without the message there can be no hearing, this no faith, this no obedience unto salvation

4. Faith does not come directly from an experience, or a vision, or the Holy Spirit, unless you are reading or hearing the Spirit's words in the Bible.

5. Faith is based on certainty of what you can know (Heb_11:1-2)

6. You can know for certain the word of Christ in the Bible (2Pe_1:19-21)

7. If you cannot know it for certain then it is not true faith!

8. Faith is not assumptions, suppositions or guesses.

The only thing capable of producing faith in human hearts is the word which receives its authority from God and has as its subject the life and work of Jesus Christ, together with all of his teachings through the apostles; and, since that is true, anything that reduces, obscures, or replaces the word of God in men's preaching must be hailed as counter-productive. It is what God has revealed which, alone, can carry conviction to the human heart; and one can only deplore the amazing scarcity of Bible reference in modern pulpits. It is precisely in that omission that the widespread unbelief of this generation originates. -- Coffman

Heb_11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

1Th_2:13 NIV And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

When one believes a thing religiously and it is not found in the word of God, then it is not of faith - World Video Bible School Commentary

Romans 10:18

But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

REPRIEVE OF THE JEWISH PROBLEM

1. The Jews have heard

a. The Gospel has been preached!

b. The people were sent by God!

c. The Gospel was first for the Jews and then for the Gentiles!

2. The Jews have not all believed

3. The Jews have not all obeyed (called on the name of the Lord - Rom_10:16)!

For the first ten years the church was almost exclusively Jewish! It was not until about the 10th year that the first Gentiles started to accept the Gospel, helping the apostles realize that this message was intended for all peoples (Act_10:34-35).

Paul is quoting from Psa_19:4, which is really talking about the revelation of God in Nature. It is clear that the spreading of the Gospel is considered part of this natural and more specific revelation of God's heart and His desire to reconcile all peoples.

Col_1:23 NIV ...if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

The Gospel rang out everywhere within the first century. God did not fail the Jews. They just didn't all take Him at His word and accepted His offer.

Romans 10:19

Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."

So the question is not: "Did they hear"? The real question is: "Did they understand"? Paul continues his diatribe argument. Both questions are answered in the affirmative. Yes, the Jews heard and they should've understood! What was happening now is no different than what has happened in ages past.

Paul quotes from Deu_32:21:

They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.

1. The Jews had aroused God's jealousy by conferring unto other gods

2. God would confer His blessings unto other nations in hope to arouse their jealousy and return to God

a. If the Jews rejected God's covenant, God would confer that covenant unto other nations (Gentiles)

b. God would do this in hopes that Israel would want to return out of jealousy

3. The Jews were not hearing anything new

a. It was the same message God had been teaching them since the days of Moses

b. By Israel's rejection of God other nations would be blessed

In this passage the great doctrine which Paul was defending is abundantly established - that the Gentiles were to be brought into the favor of God; and the cause also is suggested to be the obstinacy and rebellion of the Jews. It is not clear that Moses had particularly in view the times of the gospel; but he affirms a great principle which is applicable to those times - that if the Jews should be rebellious, and prove themselves unworthy of his favor, that favor would be withdrawn, and conferred on other nations. The effect of this would be, of course, to excite their indignation. This principle the apostle applies to his own times; and affirms that it ought to have been understood by the Jews themselves. -- Albert Barnes

1. Israel wanted God’s blessing.

a. They did not, however, always remain faithful to Him.

b. God was hurt when they turned to other gods.

2. In the same way God was hurt, Israel would be hurt when God turned to other people.

a. God hoped this incited them to return to Him

3. This chapter is important in understanding chapter eleven.

Romans 10:20

And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."

Not only was Moses a witness of God's intent to provoke Israel to jealousy, but Isaiah as well, as seen here in this quote from Isa_65:1-2 :

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.' 2 All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations-

1. God had always planned to reveal Himself to other nations (non-Jews)

a. The Gentiles did not seek God - but God sought them out

b. The Gentiles did not find God - God found them out

2. This statement in the Scriptures was bold

a. It was clear cut

b. The Jews should have taken heed of such declarative and no-holds-barred statements!

Romans 10:21

But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

Here's the reason why God sought out other peoples:

1. The Jews were obstinate

2. The Jews were disobedient

3. The Jews were more interested in their own imaginations

The eleventh chapter will indeed provide the answer regarding Israel's fate as a nation, but the fate of every Israelite, as an individual, is not revealed in God's word, but will be determined, like the fate of all others, by the individual's response to God's gracious offer of salvation through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no separate plan for Jews, any more than there is for Australians or Canadians. -- Coffman

Paul has been very careful thus far in categorically addressing the state of Israel using the Scriptures they held so dear; from Abraham to Moses to the prophets. Paul's and God's hope was to wake up Israel since this was going to be the final call to the everlasting plan of God. From here on out Israel was no longer going to be seen or treated as God's special people. God's special people, from the beginning, were His faithful remnant - the called out - the church: those who would continue to remain steadfast and faithful despite their circumstances or testing.