Romans 10:1-13

Text

Romans 10:1-13. Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved. Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Romans 10:3 For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:5 For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby. Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith saith thus, Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down:) Romans 10:7 or, who shall descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: Romans 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: Romans 10:10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Romans 10:13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 10:1-13

442.

Is it right to pray for sinners? Does Paul do this in Romans 10:1? Explain.

443.

Being sincere is not enough. We must have a plus factor. What is it?

444.

How did the Jews express their zeal for God?

445.

In just what manner did the Jews attempt to establish their own righteousness?

446.

Christ is the end of the law. What law? In what manner is he the end? Show two or three ways.

447.

A man could be justified by the law. Verse five so indicates. Explain how.

448.

Why would anyone ask that Christ be brought down from heaven?

449.

What is the abyss of Romans 10:7?

450.

The righteousness of faith is as close as our heart and mouth. Explain.

451.

Verse nine contains a very positive unqualified statement. Can we be saved by faith and confession without repentance or baptism?

452.

Would we be fair to emphasize the fact that faith and confession are unto salvation and not into? Be very careful here.

453.

There is a rich blessing in Romans 10:11. Please, please, do not be superficial in your study of these verses. Give the meaning of this verse.

454.

In what sense is there no distinction between Jew and Greek?

455.

On the day of Pentecost men called on the Lord and were saved. (Acts 2:14-41) How shall we understand the words call and saved?

Paraphrase

Romans 10:1-13. Brethren, knowing the punishment which they shall suffer who reject Jesus, my earnest desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved from the sin of unbelief. See Romans 11:26 :

Romans 10:2 For I bear them witness, that they have a great zeal in matters of religion: (see examples, Acts 21:27-31. Acts 22:3.) But their zeal not being directed by knowledge, hath misled them.

Romans 10:3 Wherefore, being ignorant of the righteousness which God appointed at the fall, as the righteousness of sinners; and seeking to establish their own righteousness, by observing the sacrifices, and ceremonies, and other duties enjoined in the law of Moses, they have not submitted to the righteousness of God's appointment by faith:

Romans 10:4 Although the believing on Christ as the Messiah is the end for which the law was given, that righteousness might be counted to every Jew who believeth.

Romans 10:5 For Moses thus describeth the righteousness which is by the law, That the man who doth its statutes shall live by them. Now, that kind of righteousness being impossible, the law obliges all to have recourse to Christ for righteousness; Romans 10:4.

Romans 10:6 But the gospel, which enjoins the righteousness which is by faith, to show that it is attainable, thus speaketh, Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? that is, to bring down Christ to take possession of the kingdom, as if that were necessary to one's believing on him.

Romans 10:7 Or who shall descend into the deep? that is, to bring again Christ from among the dead, raised to life, as if the crucifixion of Jesus had proved him an impostor.

Romans 10:8 But what does it say farther? Why this, The matter required of thee by the gospel is nigh thee, and hath its seat in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the matter of faith which we preach, as the righteousness appointed by God, is nigh thee; is easily understood and attained.

Romans 10:9 For we preach, that if, notwithstanding the danger accompanying it, thou wilt before the world confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, as the seed in whom all nations are blessed, and, as the ground of that confession, wilt sincerely believe that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart we believe, so as to attain righteousness, and with the mouth we confess our belief in Christ, so as to have in ourselves a strong assurance of salvation.

Romans 10:11 That all who believe on Christ, and confess him, shall be saved is certain: for the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on the precious corner-stone, shall not make haste out of the presence of God or men, as ashamed.

Romans 10:12 Indeed, in the salvation of mankind, there is no distinction of Jew or Gentile; For the same Lord of all is rich in mercy towards all who call upon him. He will save not those only who believe on Jesus, but all in every nation who sincerely worship the true God.

Romans 10:13 For so the prophet Joel hath declared, Joel 2:32. Whosoever will worship the true God sincerely, shall be saved.

Summary

Paul desires in heart, and prays for the salvation of Israel. He testifies to their zeal, but declares it to be not according to knowledge. Their zeal displayed itself in seeking to establish their own theory of justification, and a rejection of God'S. There is no justification except to the believer in Christ. The justification of the law is shown to be impracticable. No insuperable difficulties must be surmounted in order to be justified by belief. On the contrary, its requirements are easy, and lie within reach of all. Belief and confession will secure it. There is no longer any difference between Jew and Greek in receiving God's favor. All may enjoy it on the same conditions.

4.

Why Israel Was Rejected. Romans 10:1-21

INTER-CONNECTING REMARKS

The unanswerable logic of the Holy Spirit through Paul has presented in the ninth chapter the fairness of God in rejecting Israel. The discussion of Israel's rejection as developed in the ninth chapter was God-ward, an explanation of the reasonableness of Jehovah'S actions in the case. The tenth chapter is likewise a presentation of God's rejection of Israel, but it is man-ward, a discussion of Israel'S part in the rejection. What did they have to do with God's decision to reject them? What were their actions in the circumstance? These questions are answered in the tenth chapter.

251.

How are the ninth and tenth Chapter s alike, yet different?

a. They were rejected because they sought justification by another means than that provided by God. Romans 10:1-5

This chapter begins very much as did the ninth. In the ninth chapter we find Paul strongly affirming his love for the Hebrew nation; it is likewise here. In speaking to the brethren at Rome he says: Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God for them (is) that they may be saved. The longing of his burdened heart and the prayer of his compassionate soul is for the salvation of Israel. One further admirable trait concerning Israel suggests itself, that they have a zeal for God. Indeed they have, for an enormous amount of energy had been and still was being exerted in Paul's day by the Jews for their God. But alas, their holy ardor was misdirected, for it was not according to knowledge. Not that it was totally devoid of knowledge, but it lacked the greatest of all facts, that is, that Jesus of Nazareth was their Messiah and Savior. This knowledge relating to the Messiah found a consummation in the justification or righteousness provided by him. Thus were they ignorant of God's righteousness. This would have been tragic enough, but they were not only blinded to God'S, but what is far worse: They sought to establish their own (method of righteousness). Therefore, they would not submit to God's means of justification, since they were seeking through their own method to attain it. It is a law of universal application that as long as man feels self-sufficient he feels no need of help from God. Romans 10:1-3

Christ was the very one sent to bring the law to its grand conclusion. The law pointed ever toward this one who would come to fulfill the law, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:16-17). There were many things in which the law was not perfect, so Christ came to take it out of the way and to supply a new covenant which would be perfect. The imperfections of the law all had to do with its fundamental lack, which was its inability (because of the weakness of the flesh) to provide justification. Thus Christ came to fill up this lack and provide righteousness or justification, to everyone that believeth. Romans 10:4

252.

State in one sentence the content of Romans 10:1-5.

253.

Did Paul pray for the salvation of the lost? If so, how did he think his prayer would be answered?

254.

What is meant by the statement, not according to knowledge?

255.

What twofold tragedy was enacted by the Jews in respect to righteousness?

256.

How can we say that Christ is the end of the law?

257.

What was the fundamental lack of the law?

The contrast of the two methods of justification is clearly brought out in verse five. Moses plainly stated the way in which a man could stand just before God through the law. The law demanded absolute obedience, so if one wanted justification by the law he would have to obey it to the letter. Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:10

If Israel were to escape rejection, they had to be justified by faith. What follows is an explanation of this method of justification.
b.

Justification by Faith Explained. Romans 10:6-13

The method of attaining justification by the law has been spoken of. There remains the method of justification by faith. How does it operate? How is justification obtained by this method?

Once again we find the apostle anticipating the thoughts of the Jewish mind on this subject. The method of justification by faith is personified, and is made to speak the mind of the Jewish critics. The one underlying difficulty of the Jew who in this section objected to justification by faith was that he wanted to dictate the terms of his belief; or better stated, he wanted to lay out the points of evidence which would constitute his basis for belief. These points are found in the sixth verse. He is heard to say, If you will go up into heaven where you say Christ has ascended, and bring him down with you that I might see him, then I will believe. (This is very similar to what the same persons said at the foot of the cross. Matthew 27:39-42) Going to the other extreme, there were those who would better express the unbelief of the Jew by saying, Go down into the abyss, (the place of departed spirits) and there having found this Christ, bring him up, and then we will believe on him. But all of this is an absurdity, for were it accomplished there would be no faith, but rather knowledge. Knowledge excludes faith, and we are discussing salvation by faith and not by sight. It is not only absurd, but it is unnecessary, for all the evidence necessary to belief has been given. (cp. John 20:30-31) There is no need to go to such great lengths in attaining salvation by faith. One need look no farther than his own mouththan his own heart. This method of justification by faith is attainable now. How is that? someone is heard to say. The answer is found in the meaning of the words, in thy mouth and in thy heart, as they relate to justification. Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (or justified). Romans 10:6-9

258.

What is described in Romans 10:5? What is implied by this description?

259.

What is the main thought of Romans 10:6-13?

260.

What was the one underlying difficulty suggested in Romans 10:6?

261.

Why was the thought of Romans 10:6-7 an absurdity as well as unnecessary?

262.

How does Romans 10:8 develop the thought of Romans 10:6-7?

The Jew wanted to make God's method of justification as difficult and complicated as was the method under the law, hence the suggestions just made. The apostle answers that nothing like this is demanded or at all needful, for what Moses said of the commandment (Deut. 30:41) can be applied to justification by faith. Restating what has been said by way of conclusion, we have the tenth verse: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (or justification). This is a mere reiterating of two parts of the method of God for justification. It is not here to be concluded that these two conditions are all that is required by God for justification, for we find repentance and immersion likewise connected with salvation, remission of sins, justification (which are all synonyms expressing the same condition). Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21.

Verses eleven through thirteen give to the Jews the substantiation of the Old Testament of the method of justification just described. Verse eleven speaks from the Old Testament scriptures of the necessity of belief (Isaiah 28:16). Verse twelve gives the real meaning to the word whosoever used by Isaiah in connection with belief. Paul says the word whosoever is to be understood in its broadest sense. In those that believe there is to be no distinction, neither in those who call upon the Lord. Then in verse thirteen we have the reference from the prophet Joel to the effect that this confession of Christ was to be enjoined upon allWhosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Joel 2:32). Why the apostle did not here connect repentance and baptism with salvation as well as faith and confession is probably found in the fact that the subject of a death to sin through repentance and a burial into Christ through baptism have already been discussed. (See comments on the sixth chapter.) Romans 10:11-13

263.

What did the Jew want to do with God's method of justification?

264.

How is it that repentance and baptism are left out of the obtaining of justification in this place?

265.

Give the content of Romans 10:11 through Romans 10:13.