Overview of Romans 10
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday April 30, 2009
Romans: Overview of Romans 10
Lesson # 328
Please turn in your Bibles to Romans 10:1.
This evening we will present an overview of Romans chapter ten, which continues the fifth major section in the book of Romans that ends with chapter eleven.
The first major section of the book of Romans contains the introduction to the epistle of Romans and appears in Romans 1:1-17 and deals with the revelation of God’s righteousness.
The second major section in the book of Romans is contained in 1:18-3:20, and in this passage the apostle Paul demonstrates to his readers that both Gentile and Jew have a need for the righteousness of God.
In Romans 1:18-32, he declares that the Gentiles are unrighteous whereas in Romans 2:1-3:8, he teaches that the Jews are also unrighteous before a holy God.
Then, in Romans 3:9-20 he summarizes his statements in Romans 1:18-3:8 by stating that there is a universal need for the righteousness of God.
The third major section in the book of Romans appears in Romans 3:21-5:21, which teaches how the sinner acquires the righteousness of God, which is through imputation after exercising faith alone in Christ alone.
The fourth major section in the book of Romans that appears in Romans 6:1-8:39 teaches the believer how to experience the righteousness of God after being declared justified by God, which he identifies as “sanctification.”
The main theme of Romans chapter six is the Christian’s freedom from the tyranny of the sin nature whereas chapter seven addresses the Christian’s relationship to the Law in that they are not under its dominion and authority.
Then, in Romans chapter eight, Paul teaches that the utilization of the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential if the Christian is to experience his sanctification.
In Romans 9-11, the apostle Paul defends the righteousness of God in His dealings with the nation of Israel since the question arises that if God is for the elect and that nothing can separate them from God’s love as Paul says in chapter 8, then why has He set aside His chosen people, the Jews, the nation of Israel.
In this section, Paul attempts to explain God’s dealings with the Jews as a vindication of His righteousness.
Paul does it by demonstrating through the Old Testament Scriptures that Israel’s rejection is related to the spiritual pride of the Jews (9,10), that Israel’s rejection is not complete because some are being saved (11), and that Israel’s rejection is not final because it will be reversed before the coming of the Lord (the end of chapter 11).
It appears that these chapters are an interruption or a parenthesis but rather they are a continuation of Paul’s argument for justification by faith.
In Romans 1-8, Paul presents the great spiritual truths or doctrines of the Christian faith and then in Romans 9-11, he demonstrates how these doctrines or spiritual truths apply to God’s dealings with Israel in the past, present and future.
In Romans nine Paul addresses primarily God’s dealings with Israel with regards to her past election whereas Romans ten addresses Israel’s present rejection of Jesus Christ as Savior and then in Romans eleven, he teaches of the future restoration of the nation.
In Romans 9-11, Paul addresses how the sovereign will of God co-exists in history with the volition of men and in particular the individuals who compose the nation of Israel.
In Romans 9:6-29, Paul teaches on God’s sovereign freedom whereas in Romans 9:30-10:21, he teaches that human beings are responsible for their decisions especially in relation to accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior.
In Romans 11, he instructs his readers that all God’s promises to the patriarchs of Israel and the nation itself will be fulfilled.
In Romans 9-11, Paul makes clear that even though the nation of Israel has rejected Jesus Christ as Savior, God is not through with the nation and this is due to the four unconditional covenants that He made to the patriarchs of Israel and the nation itself.
The four great unconditional covenants to Israel: (1) Abrahamic deals with the race of Israel (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:16; 22:15-18). (2) Palestinian is the promise of land to Israel (Gn. 13:15; Num. 34:1-12). (3) Davidic deals with the aristocracy of Israel (2 Sam. 7:8-17) (4) New deals with the future restoration of Israel during the millennium (Jer. 31:31-34).
As we noted in our study of Romans 9:30, this passage actually begins a new section that ends in Romans 10:21.
In Romans 9:30-10:21, Paul addresses God and Israel’s relationship from Israel’s perspective in that unsaved Israel’s culpable in other words, they are responsible for their own actions for rejecting Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and will face the consequences in that they will suffer God’s wrath for all eternity.
Romans 9:6-29 addresses from God’s perspective Israel’s relationship to the gospel of justification by faith alone in Christ alone whereas Romans 9:30-10:21 addresses it from Israel’s perspective.
In Romans 9:6-29, we have seen that Paul speaks of God’s relationship with Israel from God’s perspective in that the national election of Israel was based upon God’s initiative and sovereign grace and totally independent of human merit.
In Romans 9:30-10:21, Paul addresses from Israel’s perspective, their relationship to the gospel of justification of faith alone in Christ alone.
In this passage, Paul returns to theme of chapters 1-4 that the sinner, whether Jew or Gentile is declared justified by receiving the gift of righteousness of God through faith alone in Christ alone.
Also, in this section, he points out that there is divine righteousness that is received as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ and there is a self-righteousness, which Israel was involved in since they attempted to be justified by obedience to the Law.
In Romans 10:1-4, he presents reasons as to why Israel had rejected Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah.
Romans 10:1-4, “Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
In Romans 10:1-4, Paul teaches that Israel rejected Jesus Christ because they did not feel the need for salvation (verse 1), they had zeal for God but not according to knowledge (verse 2), they were self-righteous (verse 3) and finally, they misunderstood the purpose of the Law (verse 4-5).
In Romans 10:5-15, Paul presents the solution to Israel’s rejection of Jesus Christ, which is obedience to the Gospel and exercising faith alone in Christ alone.
Romans 10:5-15, “For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: ‘DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart’ -- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’”
In Romans 10:5-15, Paul emphasizes the difference between righteousness that is the result of obedience to the Law and the righteousness that is the result of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Righteousness As A Result Of Obedience To The Law Righteousness As A Result Of Faith Alone In Christ Alone
Exclusive to the Jew Includes Both Jew and Gentile
Based on a meritorious system of works Based on faith alone in Christ alone
Relative self-righteousness Absolute divine righteousness
Does not result in eternal salvation Does result in eternal salvation
Brings glory to creature Brings glory to God
Based on human pride and arrogance Based upon God’s power
In Romans 10:16-21, Paul presents the results of Israel’s failure to accept by faith Jesus of Nazareth as their Savior, which was anticipated by God in the prophets of the Old Testament.
Romans 10:16-21, “However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; ‘THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.’ But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, ‘I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.’ And Isaiah is very bold and says, ‘I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.’ But as for Israel He says, ‘ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.’”