The Bible — World English Bible
Romans 10
In brief
In Romans 10, Paul expresses his desire to see his people saved. Israel has zeal for God, but seeks to establish its own righteousness instead of submitting to God's. Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Salvation is offered to all: whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Paul shows the chain that leads to faith: proclaiming, hearing, believing, calling. The chapter ends with the sadness of seeing a people who do not obey.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved.
2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
4For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”
6But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down);
7or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)”
8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith which we preach:
9that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.
11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”
12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.
13For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How 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?
15And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
17So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18But I say, didn’t they hear? Yes, most certainly, “Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
19But I ask, didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, “I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation. I will make you angry with a nation void of understanding.”
20Isaiah 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.”
21But about Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Key verses
For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Paul does not say that the Law is bad, but that no one is made righteous by keeping it: righteousness comes through faith in Christ.
that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.
A central text on salvation: believing in the heart that God raised Jesus and confessing with the mouth that he is Lord. Paul joins inner conviction and spoken word, without making them two separate steps.
For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The promise is for whoever: calling on the name of the Lord. Salvation is reserved for no people and no category of persons.
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 Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
A series of questions that reminds us that the gospel does not spread by itself: messengers must be sent so that others hear and believe.
So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes through the word of Christ. It is born from listening to the Word rather than from inner effort.
Bible verses to meditate on
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Romans 10
What does Romans 10:9 mean?
The verse says that whoever confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised him will be saved. It joins a conviction of the heart and a public confession. Salvation is presented there as a gift received by faith, and not as the result of works done.
What does it mean that faith comes from hearing?
In verse 17, Paul indicates that faith is born from listening to the word of Christ. It is not manufactured: we receive it by hearing the gospel proclaimed. This is why Paul insists on the need for messengers sent to proclaim it.
What does it mean that Christ is the end of the Law in Romans 10:4?
The word end can be understood as the goal or as the completion of the Law. Either way, Paul affirms that Christ fulfills what the Law aimed at, and that righteousness before God is obtained by believing in him rather than by striving to keep the Law. Commentators stress different nuances, but they agree on this point.
Does Romans 10 say that everyone can be saved?
Paul writes that there is no difference between Jew and Greek, since they have the same Lord, rich toward all who call on him. The offer of salvation is therefore universal. Christian traditions differ on how this offer fits with God's choice, which Paul addresses in chapters 9 and 11.
Articles quoting Romans 10
- 16 Christian Farewell Messages for a Missionary Family: Send-Off Words and Cards
- 20 Bible Verses for a First Communion or Confirmation: Young Faith and Belonging
- Matthew 5: Divorce, Remarriage and Covenant in a World of Convenience
- Hebrews 11:35: A Better Faith, Even Without Deliverance
- 1 Thessalonians 1: The Gospel in the Midst of Trials
- John 8: Jesus Stoops Down and Rewrites Your Story
World English Bible translation — public domain.