Romans 10:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} Moses {G3475} describeth {G1125} the righteousness {G1343} which {G3588} is of {G1537} the law {G3551}, That {G3754} the man {G444} which doeth {G4160} those things {G846} shall live {G2198} by {G1722} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For Moshe writes about the righteousness grounded in the Torah that the person who does these things will attain life through them.

Berean Standard Bible

For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”

American Standard Version

For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:5 introduces the principle of righteousness derived from the Mosaic Law, articulating Moses's description that life and covenant blessings are promised to those who perfectly fulfill its commands. This verse serves as a foundational premise for Paul's subsequent argument, highlighting the law's absolute and unyielding standard for righteousness, which ultimately exposes humanity's inability to achieve salvation through self-effort, thereby setting the stage for the revelation of righteousness by faith in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 10:5 is strategically placed within Paul's fervent discussion concerning Israel's spiritual condition and their pursuit of righteousness. Following his deep lament and prayer for their salvation in [Romans 10:1](/romans/10-1 "Romans 10:1 - Paul's Desire for Israel's Salvation"), Paul identifies Israel's "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" ([Romans 10:2](/romans/10-2 "Romans 10:2 - Israel's Misguided Zeal")). He explains that their ignorance of God's righteousness and their attempt to establish their own righteousness prevented them from submitting to God's way ([Romans 10:3](/romans/10-3 "Romans 10:3 - Israel's Failure to Submit to God's Righteousness")). Verse 5, by quoting [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - The Law's Demand for Life"), precisely defines the law's standard, creating a stark contrast with the righteousness that comes by faith, which Paul immediately introduces in [Romans 10:6-8](/romans/10-6-8 "Romans 10:6-8 - The Righteousness of Faith"). This juxtaposition is crucial for understanding Paul's argument that Christ is the culmination of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people, particularly in Paul's day, held the Mosaic Law in extremely high regard, viewing it as the divine pathway to righteousness and covenant standing with God. The concept of "doing" the law to "live" by it was deeply ingrained in their understanding of their relationship with Yahweh. This perspective, while rooted in the Old Covenant, had often evolved into a system where meticulous observance of external commands was seen as the means to earn divine favor and salvation. Paul, a former Pharisee, understood this mindset intimately, having himself pursued righteousness "under the law" ([Philippians 3:6](/philippians/3-6 "Philippians 3:6 - Paul's Former Zeal for the Law")). His argument in Romans challenges this prevailing understanding, not by demeaning the law itself, but by exposing humanity's inherent inability to perfectly fulfill its demands, thereby highlighting the necessity of God's gracious provision for righteousness outside of human performance.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Righteousness**, specifically distinguishing between righteousness "of the law" and righteousness "of faith." It establishes the unattainable standard of the former, paving the way for the latter. Secondly, it highlights the **Purpose of the Law**, demonstrating that while the law is holy, just, and good ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy, Just, and Good")), its primary function is to reveal sin and demonstrate humanity's need for a different path to salvation, rather than to provide the means of salvation itself ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Christ as the Fulfillment of the Law**, showing that because no one can perfectly "do" the law to "live by them," Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death become the sole means by which true righteousness is imputed to believers ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **describeth (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This verb means "to grave," "to write," or "to describe." Here, it signifies that Moses, as the divine instrument, clearly lays out or records the nature and requirements of the righteousness that comes through the law. It emphasizes that this is not Paul's novel interpretation, but a direct articulation of what the Law itself states.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** Derived from a word meaning "equity" or "justice," this term refers to a state of being right or just in character or action, particularly in relation to God. In this context, it refers to the perfect conformity to God's moral and ceremonial law that would render a person blameless and acceptable in His sight. Paul uses this term throughout Romans to contrast human attempts at self-righteousness with God's divinely provided righteousness.
* **doeth (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb means "to make or do" in a very wide application, implying active performance, execution, and fulfillment. Its use here underscores the law's demand for complete and continuous action. It's not about intention or partial effort, but about the full and perfect accomplishment of all the law's stipulations.
* **live (Greek, _záō'_):):** This verb means "to live" in a literal or figurative sense. In the context of the Old Covenant and this verse, it signifies not merely physical existence, but a full, blessed life characterized by God's favor, covenant blessings, spiritual well-being, and intimate relationship with Him. It implies flourishing and prosperity that comes from being in right standing with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law,"**: Paul introduces Moses as the authoritative voice, indicating that the principle he is about to state is not his own invention but is rooted in the very fabric of the Old Covenant. The "righteousness which is of the law" refers to the standard of acceptability before God that is achieved through perfect obedience to the Mosaic Law. It describes a system where human performance is the basis for divine approval.
* **"That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."**: This clause, a direct quotation from [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - The Command to Keep God's Statutes"), states the absolute condition for attaining life (i.e., covenant blessings, favor, and spiritual well-being) under the law. It emphasizes an active, continuous, and perfect obedience ("doeth those things") to the law's every command. The phrase "shall live by them" means that life and righteousness are contingent upon one's own perfect performance of the law's requirements, highlighting a system of merit.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 10:5 employs several potent literary devices. Primarily, it utilizes **Quotation**, directly citing [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - The Law's Promise of Life for Obedience") from the Old Testament. This serves to ground Paul's argument in the undisputed authority of the Mosaic Law itself, demonstrating that his critique of righteousness by works is not an attack on the law but an accurate interpretation of its own demands. Secondly, there is a strong element of **Juxtaposition** and **Contrast**. By presenting the law's demanding standard ("doeth those things shall live by them"), Paul sets up a dramatic contrast with the "righteousness which is of faith" that he introduces immediately in the subsequent verses. This rhetorical strategy highlights the fundamental difference between human effort and divine grace as pathways to righteousness. The verse also implicitly uses **Hyperbole** or an **Impossible Standard** to emphasize the law's perfection, as no human being can perfectly "do those things" to live by them, thereby underscoring the universal need for a different kind of righteousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:5 is a pivotal theological statement that encapsulates the essence of the Old Covenant's demand for righteousness, setting the stage for the New Covenant's provision. It clarifies that the law, while holy and good, was never intended as a means for fallen humanity to earn salvation. Instead, it functioned to reveal the impossibility of self-justification through works, thereby driving humanity to recognize its need for a divine solution. The verse highlights the fundamental difference between a righteousness based on human performance and one based on God's gracious provision. It underscores the biblical truth that no one can stand justified before God by perfectly keeping the law, because all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. This truth prepares the reader for the radical good news of the Gospel: that God provides righteousness as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ.

* [Galatians 3:12](/galatians/3-12 "Galatians 3:12 - The Law is Not of Faith")
* [Deuteronomy 27:26](/deuteronomy/27-26 "Deuteronomy 27:26 - Curse for Disobedience to the Law")
* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No One Justified by Works of the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:5 serves as a crucial mirror, reflecting the inherent limitations of human effort in achieving a right standing with God. For many, there is a natural inclination to believe that good deeds, moral living, or adherence to religious rituals can earn divine favor or salvation. This verse powerfully disabuses us of that notion, reminding us that the law's standard is absolute perfection – "doeth those things shall live by them." Since no human being, apart from Christ, has ever perfectly fulfilled every command of God's holy law, this verse highlights our universal inability to earn righteousness. The profound application, then, is one of humility and surrender. It calls us to abandon any lingering reliance on our own performance for salvation and to wholeheartedly embrace the divine provision of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. This frees us from the impossible burden of legalism and invites us into the liberating grace of the Gospel, where righteousness is a gift, not a wage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the absolute standard of the law, as described in Romans 10:5, impact your view of your own efforts to please God?**
* **In what ways might you still be subtly relying on your "doing" rather than God's "done" work in Christ for your sense of righteousness or acceptance?**
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for the grace of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to fully embrace righteousness by faith and release the burden of trying to earn God's favor?**

### FAQ

**What does "live by them" mean in the context of the Law?**

Answer: In the context of the Law, "live by them" (from [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - The Law's Promise of Life for Obedience")) signifies more than mere physical existence. It refers to experiencing the fullness of covenant blessings, enjoying God's favor, spiritual well-being, prosperity, and a right relationship with Him. It implies a flourishing life in accordance with God's design, which was promised to those who perfectly and consistently obeyed all the commands of the Mosaic Law. However, as Paul argues, this perfect obedience was unattainable for sinful humanity, rendering "life by the law" an impossible standard for salvation.

**Does Romans 10:5 imply that the Law is bad or abolished?**

Answer: No, Romans 10:5 does not imply that the Law is bad or abolished. Paul consistently affirms the Law's holiness and goodness ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy and Good")). Rather, this verse highlights the Law's function: it reveals God's perfect standard and, by extension, humanity's inability to meet that standard through its own efforts. It serves to expose sin and demonstrate the universal need for a different kind of righteousness. The Law's purpose was never to provide salvation for fallen humanity, but to point to the need for a Savior. Christ did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfilled the Law")), becoming the "end of the law for righteousness" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")) for all who believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:5, by articulating the law's demand for perfect obedience as the pathway to life, powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment of righteousness. Since "the man which doeth those things shall live by them," and humanity's sinfulness renders such perfect doing impossible ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")), Christ emerges as the only one who perfectly fulfilled the law's rigorous demands. Jesus lived a life of sinless obedience, embodying the very righteousness that the law required ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). His active obedience, coupled with His passive obedience on the cross, where He bore the curse of the law for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), means that He alone truly "did those things" to "live by them" in a redemptive sense. Therefore, Christ is the "end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")), because His perfect righteousness is imputed to those who trust in Him, enabling them to stand justified before God not by their own doing, but by His finished work ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In Him, the impossible standard of the law is met, and life is freely offered by grace through faith.

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

Leviticus 18:5

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

Nehemiah 9:29

And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Ezekiel 20:13

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Ezekiel 20:21

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:11

And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them.

Galatians 3:12

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Luke 10:27

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.