Read the Passage: Romans 10

Zeal and Knowledge (10:1–4)

In Romans 9, Paul demonstrated that God’s promises of salvation to Israel were never genetic, even as given in their original context. Rather, salvation has always been by faith alone in order “that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works” (Rom. 9:11). During Paul’s time, few Jews believed, for they pursued salvation by works, not by faith. In Romans 10, Paul furthers this line of reasoning, as he explains how Israel tried to establish their own righteousness through law-keeping, rather than by faith in the promised Messiah. As he had done at Rom. 9:1–3, so here at Rom. 10:1 Paul writes, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Although much of Paul’s persecution in ministry had come at the hand of the Jews, he was not bitter toward his countrymen; rather, he continually shared with Israel and prayed for their salvation.

Although Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Rom. 11:13), he never lost his desire to see his countrymen saved. Paul was not attempting to justify Israel’s rejection of Christ, nor their persecution of himself; nevertheless, he writes, “I bear Israel witness that they have a zeal for God” (Rom. 10:2). Yet, explains Paul, the Jews’ zeal for God was not according to knowledge. This is an important observation, for oftentimes people equate zeal and sincerity with knowledge and truth; however, it’s possible to be sincere and to be sincerely wrong. Indeed, while Israel had many privileges that should have led them to an understanding of salvation by faith alone (cf. Rom. 9:4–5), they were without this crucial knowledge. Like all those without knowledge of spiritual truth, Israel attempted to justify themselves via law-keeping rather than by trusting in Jesus for salvation (cf. Rom. 10:4).

Works and Salvation (10:5–13)

After citing Israel’s attempts at law-keeping at Rom. 10:3, in Rom 10:5 Paul points out the implication of such self-salvation efforts as he quotes Lev. 18:5, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” Paul’s point here is that salvation by law-keeping would require complete obedience, which is an impossibility (cf. Gal. 3:10, 21; Jas. 2:10). Given that self-salvation is not possible, at Rom. 10:6–8 Paul personifies salvation by faith alone and cites Deut. 30:12–14 to argue that grace-based salvation is freely available to all. Observe that Rom. 10:7 is often cited in conjunction with Eph. 4:9–10 and 1 Pet. 3:19 to support of the doctrine of Jesus’ descent into Hades. While this doctrine is debated by some, Paul’s point here is merely to teach there is no need to descend into Hades in order to be saved, for “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10:8).

Rom. 10:9–10 is one of clearest and most cited explanations of the gospel in Scripture, as Paul explains, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Next, which is an essential teaching for Paul’s Jewish readers, at Rom. 10:11 Paul quotes Isa. 28:16, as he teaches, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame” (cf. Jer. 17:7; Joel 2:32). This is an important verse, as here Paul demonstrates that salvation has always been by faith alone and that it has always been available to the Gentiles. In the following verse, Paul exegetes his own citation as he explains the breadth of the gospel, “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek . . . to all who call upon Him” (Rom. 10:12).

Scripture and Faith (10:14–21)

After explaining the lost condition of Israel in Rom. 9:1–10:13, in accord with his heart’s desire and prayer for the salvation of the Jews, at Rom. 10:14–16 Paul exhorts his Gentile readers to share the Word of God with Israel. It is true that Israel has already heard and rejected the gospel (cf. Rom. 10:18), and that the Gentiles heard the gospel and accepted it (cf. Rom. 10:20); yet, God has a purpose in this phenomena (cf. Rom. 10:19), which is why the gospel must still go out to all Israel (cf. Rom. 10:21). Rom. 10:17 is one of the most important verses in this book, as here Paul explains that the Word of God is the only divinely designed conduit through which God is pleased both to birth and to sustain faith. Note that salvation does not come by emotional appeal or by intellectual prowess; rather, since man’s problem is spiritual, it is only remedied through hearing the Word of God.

Application Questions:

1. Is it an antisemitic statement to say that Israel is spiritually lost and needs salvation via faith alone in Jesus Christ? How can believers best evangelize Jews?
2. Do you find it difficult to pray for your enemies? When you have been mistreated in the past, did you become bitter toward those who wronged you?
3. What does Paul mean in writing that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom. 10:4)?
4. What is essential to know in order to be saved? What are the fundamental facts of the gospel message?
5. Is hearing the gospel contained in the Word of God the only way to be saved (cf. 1 Cor. 1:21; Titus 1:3; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23)?