Romans 10:6

KJV

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:])

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the righteousness {G1343} which is of {G1537} faith {G4102} speaketh {G3004} on this wise {G3779}, Say {G2036} not {G3361} in {G1722} thine {G4675} heart {G2588}, Who {G5101} shall ascend {G305} into {G1519} heaven {G3772}?(that is {G5123}, to bring {G2609} Christ {G5547} down {G2609} from above:)

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, the righteousness grounded in trusting says:

“Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend to heaven?’” —

that is, to bring the Messiah down —

Berean Standard Bible

But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down)

American Standard Version

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:)

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:6 profoundly articulates the nature of righteousness by faith, contrasting it with the unattainable standard of legalistic righteousness. Paul personifies faith as speaking, declaring that true salvation is not achieved through human effort or mystical journeys to bring Christ from heaven, but is readily accessible through belief in His completed work. This verse serves as a pivotal statement on the immediacy and simplicity of God's saving grace, emphasizing that Christ has already accomplished all that is necessary for humanity's justification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 10:6 is situated within Paul's broader argument concerning Israel's relationship with the gospel. In the preceding verses (Romans 9-11), Paul grapples with the paradox of Israel's rejection of Christ despite being God's chosen people. Specifically, [Romans 10:1-4](/romans/10-1-4 "Romans 10:1-4 - Israel's Zeal Without Knowledge") expresses Paul's deep desire for Israel's salvation, lamenting their pursuit of righteousness through the law rather than through Christ. [Romans 10:5](/romans/10-5 "Romans 10:5 - Righteousness by Law") sets up the immediate contrast, quoting Leviticus 18:5 to describe the rigorous demands of the law ("the man which doeth those things shall live by them"). Verse 6 then introduces the "righteousness which is of faith" as a direct counterpoint, reinterpreting Old Testament passages (Deuteronomy 30:12-14) to illustrate the accessibility of salvation in Christ. The subsequent verses in [Romans 10:7-8](/romans/10-7-8 "Romans 10:7-8 - The Word is Near") continue the rhetorical pattern, further clarifying that faith does not require extraordinary human feats but is found in the "word of faith" that is near to us.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience included both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, a city where Jewish legalism and Hellenistic philosophical ideas about attaining divine knowledge or status were prevalent. The Jewish understanding of righteousness was deeply intertwined with adherence to the Mosaic Law, often leading to a works-based approach to salvation. Paul, a former Pharisee, understood this mindset intimately. By quoting and reinterpreting [Deuteronomy 30:12-14](/deuteronomy/30-12-14 "Deuteronomy 30:12-14 - The Commandment is Near"), Paul engages directly with a text familiar to his Jewish readers, demonstrating how the ancient promises find their ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in Christ. The rhetorical questions about ascending to heaven or descending to the abyss would resonate with common ancient ideas of heroic quests or mystical journeys to attain divine truth or bring about a messianic figure, which Paul emphatically refutes as unnecessary in light of Christ's finished work.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans. The primary theme is the **Accessibility of Salvation by Faith**, contrasting sharply with the **Futility of Righteousness by Law**. Paul argues that salvation is not a distant, elusive goal requiring human striving or heroic feats (like ascending to heaven or descending to the abyss, as mentioned in [Romans 10:7](/romans/10-7 "Romans 10:7 - Bringing Christ Up")). Instead, it is a free gift, "near" to everyone, made available through simple belief in Christ. This underscores the **Sufficiency and Finality of Christ's Work**, emphasizing that His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection have already accomplished all that is necessary for justification. There is no need for humanity to "bring Christ down" because He has already come. This theme of Christ's completed work is central to Paul's gospel, echoed throughout Romans, particularly in chapters like [Romans 3](/romans/3 "Romans 3 - Righteousness Through Faith") and [Romans 5](/romans/5 "Romans 5 - Peace with God Through Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** From _díkaios_, meaning "equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification." In this context, it refers to the state of being declared just or right before God, not through human merit or adherence to the law, but as a divine gift. Paul uses this term to denote God's saving activity and the status granted to believers.
* **Faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From _peíthō_, meaning "persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation." Here, "faith" is the active trust and belief in God's provision through Christ, serving as the means by which one receives righteousness. It is not merely intellectual assent but a profound reliance.
* **Ascend (Greek, _anabaínō'_):** From _aná_ and the base of _básis_, meaning "to go up (literally or figuratively)." In the rhetorical question, it refers to the idea of undertaking an arduous, seemingly impossible journey to the heavens, symbolizing human effort to reach God or bring down a divine solution, which Paul dismisses as unnecessary because Christ has already descended.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise":** Paul introduces a striking personification, attributing speech to "the righteousness which is of faith." This literary device emphasizes that faith-based righteousness has its own distinct message, contrasting it sharply with the demands of the law. It "speaks" a different, more accessible, and ultimately more truthful message about how one is made right with God. The phrase "on this wise" signals that what follows is the very content of this message.
* **"Say not in thine heart":** This is a direct command, echoing the Old Testament's emphasis on the inner disposition of the heart as the seat of thought, will, and intention. It warns against internalizing or entertaining ideas that contradict the simple truth of faith. The "heart" here signifies one's deepest convictions and spiritual understanding, implying that the temptation to seek righteousness through human effort is an internal struggle.
* **"Who shall ascend into heaven?":** This is the first of two rhetorical questions (the second being in Romans 10:7), directly quoting and reinterpreting Deuteronomy 30:12. In Deuteronomy, it referred to the law not being "too hard for you, neither is it far off." Paul recontextualizes it to refer to the futility of human effort to bridge the gap between God and humanity. The question implies that no one needs to undertake such a heroic, impossible journey, because the solution has already come from heaven.
* **"(that is, to bring Christ down [from above:])":** This parenthetical explanation clarifies the meaning of the rhetorical question. Paul explicitly connects "ascending into heaven" with the idea of needing to "bring Christ down." This underscores the theological point that Christ's incarnation was a singular, sufficient event. Humanity does not need to initiate or facilitate His coming; He has already come, fulfilling all requirements for salvation. This phrase highlights the completeness and finality of Christ's first advent.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 10:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Personification** is evident in "the righteousness which is of faith speaketh," giving an abstract concept an active voice, making its message more immediate and authoritative. The verse also utilizes **Rhetorical Question** ("Who shall ascend into heaven?"), a device not meant to elicit an answer but to make a strong assertion by implying the obvious impossibility of the action. This technique underscores the futility of human striving for salvation. Furthermore, there is a profound **Allusion** to [Deuteronomy 30:12-14](/deuteronomy/30-12-14 "Deuteronomy 30:12-14 - The Commandment is Near"), where Moses speaks of the commandment not being "too hard" or "far off." Paul reinterprets this ancient text, applying its principle of accessibility not to the law, but to the person and work of Christ, demonstrating the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:6 is a theological cornerstone, asserting that salvation is not a reward for human effort or a distant, unattainable goal, but a freely offered gift received through faith. It dismantles the notion that one must perform extraordinary deeds or undertake arduous spiritual journeys to appease God or bring about His redemptive work. Instead, it proclaims that God, in Christ, has already initiated and completed the work necessary for reconciliation. This truth liberates believers from the burden of self-righteousness and legalistic striving, inviting them into a relationship with God based on trust in His finished work. The verse emphasizes that the "word of faith" is not remote or obscure but "nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart" ([Romans 10:8](/romans/10-8 "Romans 10:8 - The Word of Faith is Near")), highlighting the intimate and immediate accessibility of the gospel.

* [Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith Apart from Law")
* [Galatians 3:11](/galatians/3-11 "Galatians 3:11 - The Just Shall Live by Faith")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:6 offers profound comfort and clarity to all who seek to be right with God. It dismantles the common human tendency to believe that we must earn God's favor through our own strenuous efforts, good deeds, or intellectual achievements. The "righteousness which is of faith" speaks a liberating message: God has already done the heavy lifting. We are not called to ascend to heaven to bring Christ down, nor to descend into the abyss to bring Him up (as further elaborated in [Romans 10:7](/romans/10-7 "Romans 10:7 - Bringing Christ Up from the Dead")). Our part is not to perform a heroic feat, but to humbly receive what God has already provided. This verse encourages us to abandon self-reliance and embrace the radical simplicity of the gospel: that salvation is a free gift, accessed by faith in Jesus Christ. It calls us to trust completely in His finished work on the cross and resurrection, rather than in our own ability to measure up. This truth should lead to deep gratitude, genuine humility, and an eager embrace of the "word of faith" that is already near to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you still try to "ascend into heaven" or earn God's favor through your own efforts, rather than trusting in Christ's completed work?**
* **How does the "righteousness which is of faith" speaking to you challenge your understanding of salvation and your daily walk with God?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully embrace the simplicity and accessibility of salvation by faith, as described in this verse?**
* **How does the truth that Christ has already come and completed His work bring you peace and assurance?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that "the righteousness which is of faith speaketh"?**

Answer: This is a powerful instance of **personification**, where Paul gives the abstract concept of "righteousness by faith" a voice. It means that this particular way of being declared righteous by God (through faith, not works) has its own distinct message or declaration. It's as if faith itself is proclaiming a truth, contrasting with the message that might come from a legalistic approach. The message it speaks is that salvation is not far off or difficult to attain, but is readily accessible because Christ has already accomplished all that is needed.

**Why does Paul quote from Deuteronomy 30:12-14 in this context?**

Answer: Paul quotes and reinterprets [Deuteronomy 30:12-14](/deuteronomy/30-12-14 "Deuteronomy 30:12-14 - The Commandment is Near") to make a profound point about the accessibility of God's saving truth. In Deuteronomy, Moses was telling Israel that the commandment was not hidden or far off, requiring an impossible journey to heaven or across the sea. Paul applies this ancient principle of accessibility to the new covenant reality in Christ. He argues that just as the law was "near," so too is the "word of faith" in Christ. The point is not that the law *is* faith, but that the *principle of accessibility* applies even more powerfully to salvation through Christ, because He has already fulfilled what the law required and made salvation perfectly available.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:6 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of the "righteousness which is of faith." The rhetorical question, "Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above:])" directly points to the divine initiative in salvation. Humanity does not need to perform an impossible feat to bring God's solution to earth, because Christ, being God incarnate, has already "descended" from heaven. His incarnation ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), perfect life, atoning death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - He Humbled Himself")), and victorious resurrection ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Raised for Our Justification")) constitute the complete work necessary for our righteousness. We do not need to "bring Christ down" because He willingly came. His first advent was the definitive act of God bridging the gap between heaven and earth, making righteousness available not through human striving, but through faith in His finished work. This truth liberates us from the burden of earning salvation and invites us into the free gift of justification found in Him alone, echoing the profound truth that "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")).

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

Deuteronomy 30:11

¶ For this commandment which I command thee this day, it [is] not hidden from thee, neither [is] it far off.

Deuteronomy 30:14

But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

John 3:12

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?

John 3:13

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.

Proverbs 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Ephesians 4:8

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:10

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)