Romans 10:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} Christ {G5547} is the end {G5056} of the law {G3551} for {G1519} righteousness {G1343} to every one {G3956} that believeth {G4100}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah, who offers righteousness to everyone who trusts.

Berean Standard Bible

For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:4 profoundly declares that Jesus Christ represents the ultimate culmination and termination of the Mosaic Law as a system for achieving righteousness. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ provides the divine standard of righteousness that the Law demanded but could not empower humanity to attain, making a right standing with God freely accessible to all who place their faith in Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 10:4 is a pivotal statement within Paul's extended argument concerning God's redemptive plan, particularly in relation to Israel's rejection of Christ. In chapters 9 and 10, Paul grapples with the paradox of Israel's privileged status and their failure to embrace the Messiah. He expresses deep sorrow for his people, who, despite their fervent zeal for God, pursued righteousness through adherence to the Law rather than through faith in Christ. Paul explicitly states their error in [Romans 10:3](/romans/10-3 "Romans 10:3 - Israel's Misguided Zeal"), noting that they sought to establish their own righteousness and thus did not submit to God's righteousness. Verse 4 then provides the foundational theological explanation for why their approach was fundamentally flawed: the Law was never intended to be the final and sufficient means for achieving righteousness, but rather served a preparatory role, pointing to Christ as its ultimate fulfillment and conclusion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the Jewish people in Paul's time, the Law (Torah) was central to their identity, covenant relationship with God, and their understanding of righteousness. Observance of the commandments, rituals, and dietary laws distinguished them as God's chosen people. There was a strong emphasis on meticulous adherence to the Law as the path to divine favor and a right standing with God. The Temple system, with its sacrifices and priestly mediation, was also integral to their religious life, designed to address sin and maintain covenant purity. Paul, himself a former Pharisee, understood this deep-seated commitment. His teaching in Romans 10:4 would have been revolutionary and challenging to many Jews, as it reoriented the source of righteousness from legal performance to faith in a crucified Messiah, thereby re-evaluating the very purpose and function of the Law within God's unfolding plan.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological themes central to Paul's epistle to the Romans and indeed, to the entire New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Christ as the "End" of the Law**. The Greek word *telos* (G5056) carries a dual meaning, signifying both "goal" or "purpose" and "termination" or "cessation." In this context, Christ is both the Law's ultimate **goal and fulfillment**, perfectly embodying its righteous demands and completing its prophetic types and shadows, as Jesus Himself declared in [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"). Simultaneously, Christ represents the **termination** of the Law as a system for achieving righteousness, because no one can be justified by perfectly keeping the Law, for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Righteousness by Faith**. It explicitly states that righteousness is now available "to every one that believeth," emphasizing that justification—being declared righteous by God—comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works of the Law, as Paul consistently argues in [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith") and [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification Through Faith in Christ"). Finally, the phrase "every one that believeth" emphasizes the **Universality of Salvation**. This new path to righteousness is not limited to any specific ethnic or religious group, but is open to all people, regardless of background, who place their trust in Jesus Christ, reflecting God's impartial love and the global scope of the Gospel, as famously articulated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **end (Greek, _télos'_):** (G5056) This crucial word signifies both a "goal" or "purpose" and a "termination" or "conclusion." In Romans 10:4, *télos* encompasses both aspects. Christ is the ultimate aim and fulfillment toward which the Law pointed, bringing to completion its prophetic types and moral demands. Simultaneously, He marks the cessation of the Law as a system by which one can obtain righteousness before God.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** (G1343) This term refers to a state of being right with God, or a right standing before Him. It denotes conformity to God's holy character and will. Paul consistently teaches that this righteousness is not achieved by human effort or legalistic adherence but is a divine gift, imputed to believers through faith in Christ, thereby establishing a new and true basis for acceptance with God.
* **believeth (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** (G4100) To "believe" in this context is more than mere intellectual assent; it signifies to have faith in, to trust in, or to commit one's spiritual well-being to a person or thing. Here, it refers to placing complete reliance and trust in Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation and the source of righteousness, acknowledging His finished work on the cross as sufficient.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For Christ is the end of the law":** This foundational clause asserts Christ's definitive relationship to the Mosaic Law. "End" (Greek: *telos*) implies that Christ is both the ultimate goal or purpose to which the Law pointed (its fulfillment) and the termination of the Law's function as a means of achieving righteousness. The Law, with its commands and sacrificial system, served to reveal sin and prepare the way, but it was never designed to be the final path to justification.
* **"for righteousness":** This phrase clarifies the specific purpose for which Christ is the Law's "end." The Law's inability to provide perfect righteousness for sinful humanity is overcome by Christ. He provides the true and complete righteousness that God requires, a righteousness that is not earned by human effort but is a divine provision.
* **"to every one that believeth":** This final clause specifies the recipients of this Christ-provided righteousness and the means by which it is received. It emphasizes the universal accessibility of salvation, open to all people—Jew or Gentile—who place their faith, trust, and reliance upon Jesus Christ. This highlights the impartial nature of God's grace and the singular path to salvation through faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in Romans 10:4 to convey his profound theological message. The central device is **Metaphor**, where Christ is presented as "the end of the law." This isn't a literal end, but a metaphorical one, signifying His role as both the Law's ultimate goal and its termination as a salvific system. This creates a powerful image of Christ as the definitive conclusion to a previous era of God's redemptive history. There is also an element of **Paradox** in the dual meaning of *telos*, where the Law's purpose is fulfilled through its cessation as a means of righteousness. This highlights the unexpected way God brings His plan to fruition. Finally, the phrase "to every one that believeth" employs **Emphasis** and **Inclusivity**, underscoring the universal scope of the Gospel and God's impartial offer of salvation, contrasting with the previous focus on Israel's unique covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:4 stands as a cornerstone of Pauline theology, articulating the profound shift from a covenant of works to a covenant of grace through faith. It underscores that humanity's pursuit of righteousness through legal observance is futile, as the Law, though holy and good, could only expose sin, never eradicate it or provide the perfect obedience required for justification. Christ, in His person and work, perfectly fulfilled the Law's demands and bore its curse, thereby becoming the sole source of righteousness for all who believe. This truth liberates believers from the burden of earning God's favor and establishes a new, accessible path to a right standing with Him, grounded entirely in God's gracious provision rather than human merit. It highlights the supremacy of Christ and the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice as the ultimate solution to humanity's sin problem.

* [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith Apart from the Law")
* [Galatians 3:24-25](/galatians/3-24-25 "Galatians 3:24-25 - The Law as a Guardian Leading to Christ")
* [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - Christ, Mediator of a Superior Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:4 offers profound liberation and assurance to every believer. It frees us from the crushing burden of legalism and the endless striving to earn God's favor through our own efforts or adherence to rules. This verse assures us that our right standing with God is not dependent on our imperfect performance, but is secured entirely by the perfect, finished work of Jesus Christ. We are declared righteous not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done, and our faith in Him. This truth cultivates humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of peace, knowing that our salvation is a gift, not a wage. It empowers us to live not *for* righteousness, but *from* righteousness, motivated by love and gratitude for God's incredible grace, rather than fear of failure or a desire to earn His acceptance. This understanding transforms our relationship with God from one of obligation to one of intimate, loving communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I still be subtly trying to earn God's favor or righteousness, rather than resting in Christ's finished work?**
* **How does the truth that Christ is the "end of the law for righteousness" impact my daily walk and my understanding of Christian freedom?**
* **How can I more fully embrace and live out the reality that my righteousness before God is a gift received by faith, not a status achieved by works?**

### FAQ
**What does "the end of the law" truly mean in this verse? Does it abolish the Old Testament Law entirely?**

Answer: The phrase "the end of the law" (Greek: *telos nomou*) does not mean that the Old Testament Law is entirely abolished or rendered irrelevant. Instead, *telos* carries a dual meaning: it signifies both the "goal" or "purpose" and the "termination" or "cessation." In this context, Christ is the **goal and fulfillment** of the Law, perfectly embodying its righteous demands and bringing to completion its prophetic types and shadows. He lived a life of perfect obedience that no human could achieve. Simultaneously, Christ is the **termination** of the Law as a system by which one can earn or achieve righteousness before God. The Law exposed sin and pointed to the need for a Savior, but it could not provide the means of justification. Thus, for believers, the Law no longer functions as the path to a right standing with God; that path is now exclusively through faith in Christ. While the Law's ceremonial and civil aspects are fulfilled in Christ and no longer binding for salvation, its moral principles (e.g., the Ten Commandments) continue to reflect God's character and serve as a guide for righteous living, empowered by the Spirit, not as a means of earning salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:4 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who perfectly embodies and completes the Law's purpose while simultaneously inaugurating a new covenant of grace. Christ is not merely a figure who brings an end to a legal system; He is the very embodiment of the righteousness that the Law demanded but could never impart. In His sinless life, Jesus perfectly fulfilled every righteous requirement of the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), becoming the only one capable of satisfying God's holy standard. His atoning death on the cross served as the ultimate sacrifice, bearing the curse of the Law that humanity deserved ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), thereby bringing about its termination as a means of justification. Through His resurrection, Christ was vindicated as the righteous one, and His perfect righteousness is now freely imputed to all who believe in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, Christ is the "end" of the Law in that He is the climax of God's redemptive plan, the one in whom the Law's demands are met, and through whom a perfect, divine righteousness is made available by grace through faith, forever freeing believers from the futile pursuit of self-righteousness and establishing them in a secure standing before God ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). He is the living fulfillment, enabling the righteous requirement of the Law to be met in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 3:24

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Romans 8:4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Matthew 5:17

¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:39

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.