"The Word of Faith"

That is what Paul continues to do here with righteousness (Philippians 3:9 “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”).

By this Paul is holding people accountable for their their rejection.

What is accessible? (vv. 5-8)

Paul continues (9:30-33 & 10:1-4) to contrast acquiring righteousness through the law and through faith (v. 5).

Leviticus 18:5, recorded by Moses, is an example of the Law’s demand - keep it and you’ll have life.

For God’s people this meant life in the promised land, but the promised land was ultimately connected with eternal life.

The problem with this is no one can keep it. Everyone will brake it (except one). Israel is an example of this (Galatians 3:10–13 “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [Deuteronomy 27:26] Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” [Habakkuk 2:4] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” [Leviticus 18:5] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us… ”).

There is a theoretical option given in the Law of attaining the rewards of righteousness by Law keeping. But it is in reality, impossible. This theoretical option was always meant to point people to the other option (Romans 3:20 “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”).

By contrast, Paul personifies the righteousness based on faith (vv. 6-7).

Paul sees a principle in Deuteronomy 30:12–14 that is applicable to his point.

In Deuteronomy 30:12–14 Moses says basically that no one needs to go up to the heaven or cross the sea to get God’s word. It’s been given to them. They already have it. They just need to follow it, to trust it.

Paul uses that concept here about the Gospel of Christ - no one needs to go to great lengths to attain anything for salvation. Christ has already done it. Paul is likely thinking of the incarnation and resurrection. Paul modifies the Deuteronomy text a bit to enhance the extremes (“abyss” - pit of the dead).

Deuteronomy 30:12–14 is an example of God’s word being near/close/available/attainable/accessible. God gives His word to be accepted. Paul is equating that with the word that he proclaimed (v. 8).

If even the greatest of things were possible for one to do, they are unnecessary, and they are worthless for attaining true righteousness.

So Paul and others preach what is necessary for attaining/receiving true righteousness - the word of faith.

Expanding the the concept of “faith”…

Why is it accessible? (vv. 9-10)

So that it might be confessed and believed (v. 9).

Paul is showing how the mouth and heart are involved in the word of faith (v. 8).

It is important to see here how confession and belief are inseparable when confession is involved; though only belief is necessary (Acts 16:30–31 “Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.””)

“Confess with your mouth” is verbal acknowledgement - claiming agreement with who Jesus, that is, He is equal with the Lord God (the word “κύριος” was used thousands of time in the Septuagint for God). If this is accompanied by belief, then that person will be save.

What do they believe? In the work of Jesus (going with their confession in the person of Jesus). Only the resurrection needs to be mentioned because it implies all the rest of the gospel - His life, death, burial, resurrection, and future (1 Corinthians 15:1–4 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:14 “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”)

Notice that 2 parts come together for 1 result - salvation (Romans 5:9 “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”)

Paul develops this further with a parallelism, like what is found in Hebrew poetry (v. 10).

Being justified and being saved are two ways of referring to the same thing.

And the heart and the mouth are two parts that will be involved in a genuine response of faith to the word of faith (v. 8).

Belief is internal, confession is external. The external is inevitable because of the internal. But, the external is also hypocrisy without the internal.

Notice the order here in Paul’s further explanation of verse 9. Belief is first. Those who believe are justified - rendered righteous, which Paul has already attributed extensively to faith, and only now includes briefly, confession. Which is second, and paralleled with the first (belief). So that, confession alone is worthless, but with belief that justifies, that person will be saved, just like verse 9.

And this is why the word of faith is made accessible by God through those who share it.

To whom is it accessible? (vv. 11-13)

Everyone (v. 11)

Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:16 again (v. 33), seeing it, along with other places in the NT (Matt. 21:42; Luke 20:17–18; Acts 4:11; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:4–8), as a prophecy of Christ.

Notice that this singles out faith alone as it further supports what was previously said.

The emphasis here is on “everyone” with “all who call” (v.12) and “everyone” again (v. 13).

What does Paul mean by everyone? (v. 12)

Jews or non-Jews. Reminds us of the context. Faith unites everyone who has it.

Same belief, same confession, same results.

The word “call” (request help) pictures it as an approach to God by either Jew or Gentile.

Finally here, Paul expands on this “call” (v. 13).

To “call on the name of the Lord” is to approach Him in need recognizing who He is.

Now in context we can see that calling on the name of the Lord is another aspect of being saved (along with belief and confession) because it too results in salvation.

The Word is to be shared so that faith might be manifested.

What do you believe?

What do you want others to believe?

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”