Romans10

Paul expresses his fervent desire for Israel's salvation, noting their zeal for God, but a lack of true knowledge regarding His righteousness. He explains that salvation comes through faith in Christ, who is the end of the law for righteousness, requiring confession and belief in His resurrection. This salvation is universally available to all, Jew and Greek alike, who call upon the Lord, emphasizing the crucial role of preaching the gospel for faith to arise.

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Paul's Concern for Israel's Salvation

¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Christ: The End of the Law

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

The Righteousness of Faith

But 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:)

Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

But 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;

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.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Salvation is Universal

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The Necessity of Preaching

How 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?

And 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!

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Israel's Culpability Confirmed

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

But 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.

But 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.

But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Study Notes for Romans 10

Verse 1

This verse establishes the heartfelt transition from the theological defense of God’s sovereignty (Chapter 9) to Paul’s persistent, practical desire for the salvation of his Jewish kinsmen.

Verse 2

Paul acknowledges Israel's deep religious fervor ('zeal of God'), but critiques its direction. True devotion must be paired with accurate understanding ('knowledge') of God’s redemptive plan in Christ.

Verse 3

This verse diagnoses Israel’s fundamental error: attempting to achieve justification through their own works (establishing their own righteousness) instead of submitting to the free gift offered through Christ (God’s righteousness).

Verse 4

Christ fulfills the Law's requirements and demands perfectly, thus ending its role as the means for acquiring justification. The Law now serves primarily to reveal sin and point believers to Christ.

Verse 5

Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5, summarizing the covenant of works: righteousness is achieved only by perfect, lifelong obedience. This contrasts sharply with the accessibility of faith.

Verse 6

Paul adapts Deuteronomy 30:12, applying the Law’s proximity to the gospel of faith. Righteousness is not achieved through impossible, heroic efforts (like ascending to heaven to retrieve Christ).

Verse 8

The word is nigh thee: The message of faith is not distant or mysterious, but has been brought near through the preaching of the gospel, accessible to all who hear.

Verse 9

This is the core statement of salvation through faith. Confession acknowledges Christ's lordship and deity; belief in the resurrection confirms God's acceptance of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Verse 10

Paul distinguishes between the internal act (belief leading to righteousness, or justification) and the external act (confession leading to salvation, or public acknowledgement of that justified status).

Verse 11

Quoting Isaiah 28:16, Paul emphasizes that trust in Christ guarantees ultimate vindication and security, regardless of the believer's background.

Verse 12

This emphasizes the universal scope of the Gospel, abolishing the ethnic division between Jew and Greek. God’s grace is equally abundant for all who appeal to Him.

Verse 13

A direct quotation from Joel 2:32, stressing that salvation is dependent solely upon calling upon the name of the Lord (Christ), making the path simple and available to all humanity.

Verse 14

Paul uses a chain of rhetorical questions (the 'missionary chain') to demonstrate the logical necessity of evangelism: faith requires hearing, and hearing requires a preacher.

Verse 15

The sending establishes the divine authority of the messenger. The quotation from Isaiah 52:7 highlights the immense value and positive impact of those who announce the good news.

Verse 16

Paul addresses the reality of rejection, confirming that the prophets (here, Isaiah 53:1) predicted that not all would obey the gospel message, despite its clear proclamation.

Verse 17

This famous summary verse clarifies the origin of faith: it is not self-generated, but is produced when one hears the authoritative divine message (the word concerning Christ).

Verse 18

Paul answers the question of whether Israel had sufficient opportunity to hear. He quotes Psalm 19:4, applying the universal testimony of creation to the widespread reach of the Gospel message.

Verse 19

Paul quotes Moses (Deuteronomy 32:21) to show that God long ago warned Israel that their failure to obey would lead Him to extend salvation to the Gentiles ('no people'), provoking Israel to jealousy.

Verse 20

Quoting Isaiah 65:1, Paul highlights the shocking inclusion of the Gentiles—those who previously did not seek God are now finding Him.

Verse 21

Quoting Isaiah 65:2, Paul concludes by emphasizing God’s persistent grace toward Israel, contrasting His outstretched hands with their continued stubbornness and disobedience.

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Romans10

Paul's Concern for Israel's Salvation

Christ: The End of the Law

The Righteousness of Faith

Salvation is Universal

The Necessity of Preaching

Israel's Culpability Confirmed

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