Romans 10:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G3754} if {G1437} thou shalt confess {G3670} with {G1722} thy {G4675} mouth {G4750} the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} shalt believe {G4100} in {G1722} thine {G4675} heart {G2588} that {G3754} God {G2316} hath raised {G1453} him {G846} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, thou shalt be saved {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered.

Berean Standard Bible

that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

American Standard Version

because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 10:9 stands as a pivotal declaration of the accessibility of salvation, articulating the dual requirements of heartfelt belief in Christ's resurrection and vocal confession of His Lordship. This verse encapsulates the core of the gospel message, emphasizing that God's righteousness is freely available to all who embrace Christ through faith, bridging the gap between divine grace and human reception. It highlights the profound connection between an internal transformation of conviction and an external expression of allegiance, culminating in the promise of deliverance and eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 10:9 is situated within Paul's extended argument in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9-11 "Romans 9-11 - God's Righteousness and Israel's Place") concerning God's faithfulness to Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan. Having lamented Israel's pursuit of righteousness through the law (cf. [Romans 9:30-32](/romans/9-30-32 "Romans 9:30-32 - Israel's Stumbling Block")), Paul contrasts this with the righteousness that comes by faith, which is available to all. He asserts that Christ is the "end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")). Verses [Romans 10:6-8](/romans/10-6-8 "Romans 10:6-8 - The Righteousness of Faith") set the stage by quoting Deuteronomy to show that the "word of faith" is near, in one's mouth and heart, directly leading into the specific requirements of confession and belief in verse 9. This verse, therefore, serves as the practical application of the theological truth that salvation is not by human effort but by divine grace received through faith.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, public confession of allegiance was a common practice, whether to a deity, an emperor, or a philosophical school. For early Christians, confessing "Jesus is Lord" ([Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confession and Belief")) was a radical and often dangerous act. It directly challenged the imperial cult's demand to confess Caesar as Lord, making it a potentially subversive and life-threatening declaration. This public acknowledgment was not merely a verbal assent but a profound commitment that often led to social ostracism, persecution, and even martyrdom. Furthermore, within a Jewish context, the concept of a crucified Messiah was a "stumbling block" ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified, a Stumbling Block")), and the idea of salvation apart from strict adherence to the Mosaic Law was revolutionary. Paul's emphasis on both internal belief and external confession reflects the early church's understanding of faith as a holistic commitment that transformed both inner conviction and outward life.

* **Key Themes:** Romans 10:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and Pauline theology. Foremost is the theme of **righteousness by faith**, contrasting it sharply with righteousness by works of the law, a central tenet of Paul's gospel (cf. [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The verse also underscores the **universal accessibility of salvation**, asserting that it is available to "everyone who believes," irrespective of ethnic or social background, echoing the declaration in [Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel"). Crucially, it highlights the **centrality of Christ's resurrection** as the validating act of God, affirming Jesus' divine identity and His victory over sin and death, which is foundational to the Christian faith (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:12-20](/1_corinthians/15-12-20 "1 Corinthians 15:12-20 - The Importance of the Resurrection")). Finally, the verse emphasizes the **necessity of confession**, demonstrating that genuine faith is not merely a private intellectual assent but also involves a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus as Lord, an outward manifestation of an inward reality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Confess (Greek, _homologéō'_):** From G3670, meaning "to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge." This word signifies more than a casual statement; it implies a public declaration, an open acknowledgment, and an agreement with a stated truth. In the context of Romans 10:9, it refers to a public affirmation of Jesus' Lordship, a profound personal and communal commitment.
* **Believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, meaning "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." This term denotes a deep, abiding trust and reliance, not merely intellectual assent to facts, but a personal conviction that leads to entrusting one's life and destiny to Christ. It implies a firm conviction that God's action in raising Jesus from the dead is true and salvific.
* **Raised (Greek, _egeírō'_):** From G1453, meaning "to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence)." Here, it specifically refers to God's powerful act of bringing Jesus back to life from the state of death, signifying His triumph over sin and the grave. This divine act is the cornerstone of Christian belief, validating Jesus' claims and securing the hope of salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,"**: This clause establishes the first condition for salvation: a verbal, public declaration. "Confess with thy mouth" implies an outward expression of an inward reality. The content of this confession is "the Lord Jesus," acknowledging Jesus' divine authority, sovereignty, and rightful claim over one's life. In the Roman context, this was a radical statement, elevating Jesus above Caesar and all other deities.
* **"and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,"**: This clause presents the second, equally vital condition: an internal, sincere conviction. "Believe in thine heart" points to a deep-seated trust and conviction, not just intellectual agreement. The object of this belief is the resurrection of Jesus by God, which is the ultimate validation of Jesus' identity as God's Son and the efficacy of His atoning work. The resurrection signifies God's acceptance of Christ's sacrifice and His victory over death, providing the basis for our hope and justification.
* **"thou shalt be saved."**: This is the glorious promise and consequence of fulfilling both conditions. "Saved" (Greek, _sṓzō_) encompasses deliverance from sin's penalty and power, reconciliation with God, and the gift of eternal life. It signifies a holistic salvation that transforms one's present reality and secures their eternal destiny, emphasizing that this salvation is a divine gift, not a human achievement.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 10:9 employs several significant literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. A prominent device is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **antithetical parallelism** or **complementary parallelism**, where "confess with thy mouth" is paired with "believe in thine heart." This highlights the dual, yet interconnected, nature of salvation: it requires both an external declaration and an internal conviction. The use of **Metonymy** is also evident, where "mouth" stands for the act of speaking or confessing, and "heart" represents the inner person, the seat of intellect, emotion, and will. This emphasizes that salvation involves the whole person—both their outward actions and their innermost being. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Conditional Statement** ("If... then..."), clearly outlining the necessary conditions for receiving salvation, presenting a direct and unambiguous path to God's grace. The simplicity and directness of the language contribute to its powerful and universal appeal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 10:9 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of salvation in Christian theology. It underscores the profound truth that salvation is not earned through human effort or adherence to a legal code, but is a gracious gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is presented as a holistic response, encompassing both a sincere internal conviction regarding Christ's resurrection and a courageous external confession of His Lordship. The resurrection is highlighted as the linchpin of this saving faith, for it validates Jesus' divine identity and power, demonstrating God's acceptance of His atoning sacrifice. This verse thus powerfully connects the historical reality of Christ's death and resurrection to the personal experience of salvation, making God's righteousness accessible to all who believe and confess.

* [Matthew 10:32](/matthew/10-32 "Matthew 10:32 - Confessing Christ Before Men")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 10:9 offers profound assurance and a clear pathway to salvation, reminding us that God's grace is not complex or unattainable, but beautifully simple and universally accessible. It challenges believers to move beyond a private, intellectual assent to faith and to embrace a public, vocal commitment to Jesus as Lord. This public confession is not merely a formality but an act of allegiance that aligns our outward life with our inward conviction, serving as a powerful witness to others and a strengthening of our own faith. The verse also grounds our hope firmly in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection, which is the ultimate proof of God's power and the guarantee of our own future resurrection and eternal life. In a world that often seeks complex solutions, Romans 10:9 redirects us to the foundational truth: salvation is a gift received through a simple yet profound act of believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths. It calls us to live out our faith boldly, trusting in the finished work of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dual requirement of "confessing with your mouth" and "believing in your heart" challenge or affirm your current understanding of salvation?**
* **In what practical ways can you more intentionally confess Jesus as Lord in your daily life, both verbally and through your actions?**
* **How does the historical reality of Christ's resurrection strengthen your personal faith and assurance of salvation?**
* **What might prevent someone from publicly confessing Jesus as Lord, and how can believers overcome such obstacles?**

### FAQ

**Is confession truly necessary for salvation, or is belief alone sufficient?**

Answer: Romans 10:9 presents both confession with the mouth and belief in the heart as integral components for salvation. While the "belief in thine heart" is the foundational internal conviction, the "confess with thy mouth" is the outward manifestation and declaration of that inward faith. The Greek word for "confess" (homologéō) implies a public acknowledgment and agreement. This is not to say that a person who is physically unable to speak cannot be saved, but rather that genuine saving faith naturally expresses itself in allegiance to Christ. The two elements are inextricably linked, representing a holistic response of the entire person—mind, will, and voice—to God's saving grace. As Paul continues in [Romans 10:10](/romans/10-10 "Romans 10:10 - Heart Belief, Mouth Confession"), "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." This indicates a progression where belief leads to righteousness, and confession leads to salvation, suggesting they are two sides of the same coin of genuine faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself, serving as the very heart of the gospel message. The confession of "the Lord Jesus" points directly to Christ's supreme authority and divine identity, a truth echoed throughout the New Testament, particularly in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord of All"), where every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord. Furthermore, the belief "that God hath raised him from the dead" is the cornerstone of Christ's triumph over sin and death, validating His atoning sacrifice and securing our justification (cf. [Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ's Resurrection for Our Justification")). Jesus' resurrection is not merely a historical event but the very power by which believers are transformed and receive new life. Thus, Romans 10:9 is not a set of arbitrary conditions, but a declaration of how one participates in the saving reality accomplished by Christ. He is the "Lord" to be confessed, the "dead" one "raised" by God, and the source of the "salvation" promised. Our confession and belief are simply the appropriate human response to the finished work of Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, Author and Perfecter of 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

Luke 12:8

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Acts 16:31

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Philippians 2:11

And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 10:32

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:33

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

1 John 4:2

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 4:3

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.