Romans 10
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 56 – AD 57 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
21 verses · 454 words · ~2 min read · ~3 min listen
The Word Brings Salvation
1Brothers, my heartʼs desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. 2For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. 3Because they were ignorant of Godʼs righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to Godʼs righteousness. 4For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.
5For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9that 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. 10For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
11It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did:
19I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says:
20And Isaiah boldly says:
21But as for Israel he says:
Footnotes (12)
- a v5 Leviticus 18:5; see also Ezekiel 20:11, 13, and 21.
- b v6 Deuteronomy 30:12
- c v7 See Deuteronomy 30:13.
- d v8 Deuteronomy 30:14
- e v11 Isaiah 28:16(see also LXX)
- f v13 Joel 2:32
- g v15 Literally good news of good things; BYZ and TR How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of peace, who bring good news of good things; Isaiah 52:7
- h v16 Isaiah 53:1
- i v18 Psalms 19:4(see also LXX)
- j v19 Deuteronomy 32:21(see also LXX)
- k v20 Isaiah 65:1
- l v21 Isaiah 65:2(see also LXX)
Study notes on this chapter · 4
The word is near you
Moses tells Israel the commandment is not hidden in heaven or across the sea but near, in the mouth and heart. Paul applies this language to the word of faith in Christ: no one needs to ascend to heaven or descend to the deep to bring him. How Paul's use relates to Moses' original meaning is discussed by interpreters.
When: Deuteronomy (traditionally c. 1406 BC); Romans, c. AD 57.
Ways people read this (2)
- Paul reads Moses' words as having always pointed to the righteousness of faith, now embodied in Christ.
- Paul adapts the wording as a pattern (midrash-like) and does not claim it was Moses' meaning.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news
Isaiah pictures a messenger on the mountains announcing peace and salvation, and saying to Zion, 'Your God reigns'. Paul applies it to those who proclaim the gospel, in his argument that faith comes by hearing.
When: Isaiah, c. 700–540 BC; Romans, c. AD 57.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
Who has believed our message?
John explains the crowds' unbelief despite Jesus' many signs by quoting Isaiah's question 'Who has believed our message?' and, with it, Isaiah's commission to a hardened people. Paul uses the same verse for Israel's response to the gospel.
When: Isaiah, c. 700–540 BC; John's gospel, c. AD 80–95.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
The suffering servant
A servant despised and rejected, wounded for the transgressions of others, silent like a lamb before its shearers, who bears the sin of many and is 'numbered with the transgressors'. The New Testament quotes or alludes to this passage more than any other to explain Jesus' death: healing (Matthew 8), silence before accusers (Acts 8), substitutionary suffering (1 Peter 2), being counted among criminals (Luke 22).
When: Isaiah 40–55 (composition dated to c. 700 BC by some scholars, c. 540 BC by others); quoted in the New Testament c. AD 30–95.
Ways people read this (3)
- Christian reading: a prophecy of Jesus' atoning death.
- Traditional Jewish reading: the servant is Israel, suffering for the nations.
- Some scholars see both an original corporate meaning and a later individual reading.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.