Romans 10

Illustrations

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)Philip, one of the early deacons in the church, was directed by the Holy Spirit to approach an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the book of Isaiah but couldn't understand it. Philip seized the opportunity to explain the Scriptures and preach the Gospel to him, resulting in the eunuch’s immediate request for baptism. This story illustrates the vital role of proclaiming the Gospel: Philip obeyed the prompting to speak, leading to the eunuch's salvation.

Jonah and the People of Nineveh (Jonah 1-4)Jonah initially ran from the call to proclaim God's message to the people of Nineveh, an enemy city. When he finally obeyed, his proclamation of impending judgment led the entire city to repent and seek God's mercy, thereby averting their destruction. This account shows that even when we are reluctant, the act of proclaiming the Gospel (or a message from God) has transformative power for those who hear it, fulfilling the mandate outlined in Romans 10.

Ananias and Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:10-19)Ananias was a disciple in Damascus who received a vision from the Lord to go and lay hands on Saul of Tarsus. Saul had been a fierce persecutor of the church but had recently been struck blind on the road to Damascus. Despite his fears, Ananias obeyed, proclaiming the Gospel to Saul and laying hands on him. Saul regained his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit, becoming the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest proclaimers of the Gospel in history. This illustrates the exponential impact of obedience in proclaiming the Gospel: Ananias' act led to the conversion and equipping of Paul, who in turn impacted countless lives.

Each of these illustrations embodies the essence of Romans 10, showing the profound effects of proclaiming the Gospel on individual lives and even entire communities.

What is the Context of Romans 10?

Romans 9-11 focuses on the question of Israel’s place in God’s redemptive plan. Specifically, Romans 10 delves into the righteousness that comes from faith, contrasting it with the righteousness based on the law. It serves as both an exhortation for Israel to recognize Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and a broader message for both Jew and Gentile that faith in Christ is the avenue for salvation. Paul weaves Old Testament Scriptures into his arguments, emphasizing the unity of God’s plan from the beginning to present in Christ Jesus.

What are the major divisions of Romans 10?

Righteousness Based on Faith vs. Law (Verses 1-4)

In this section, Paul starts by expressing his heartfelt desire for the salvation of Israel. He contrasts the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ with the righteousness based on the law. He argues that Christ is the end of the law, fulfilling it completely so that righteousness is available to all who believe.

The Simplicity of Salvation through Faith (Verses 5-13)

Paul quotes from the Old Testament to show that the message of faith is not distant or complicated; it is as close as one’s mouth and heart. He emphasizes that salvation is accessible to everyone who believes in Christ, irrespective of their ethnicity or background. He lays down the principle that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

The Necessity of Proclaiming the Gospel (Verses 14-15)

Here, Paul deals with the logical sequence that must be followed for people to believe in Christ: they must hear the Gospel, which requires someone to preach it, which in turn requires those preachers to be sent. He underlines the importance of evangelism in God's plan of salvation.

Israel’s Rejection of the Gospel (Verses 16-21)

Paul laments that despite the preaching of the Gospel, not all of Israel has accepted this good news. He references Old Testament scriptures to show that Israel's disbelief is not due to lack of hearing but is, rather, a fulfillment of prophecies concerning their obstinacy. This part culminates in Paul quoting Isaiah, showing that God has extended His hands to a disobedient Israel.

Each of these divisions builds upon Paul's overarching argument about the universality of salvation through faith in Christ, which is made available to both Jews and Gentiles. In doing so, Romans 10 provides a rich tapestry interwoven with Old Testament Scripture, making clear that God’s plan for salvation has always been consistent, from the Law to the Prophets, culminating in Christ.

Main Idea

Romans 10 elucidates the transformative power of faith in Christ as the avenue for righteousness and salvation, in contrast to righteousness based on the law, emphasizing that this message must be proclaimed for both Jews and Gentiles to hear and believe.

Proposition

You Must Proclaim the Gospel.

The text of Romans 10 clearly underscores the necessity of proclaiming the Gospel for salvation to occur. Verses 14-15 spell out the logical sequence of how one comes to believe in Christ: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" These verses reveal an inescapable truth: Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message must be preached for it to be heard. Therefore, the single action a believer should take as a result of Romans 10 is to actively participate in the dissemination of the Gospel.

1. By Praying For The Lost (Verse 1)

The first way to engage in the proclamation of the Gospel, as modeled in Romans 10:1-4, is by heartfelt prayer for the lost. Paul begins this chapter by saying, "Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." The word for "heart's desire" here is "eudokia," which indicates a strong, well-pleasing desire. It's the same term used in Philippians 1:15 where Paul says some preach Christ "from goodwill (eudokia)." Prayer, fueled by a deep, godly desire for the salvation of others, sets the stage for effective Gospel proclamation. When your heart is aligned with God's heart, you are empowered to share the Gospel with sincerity and urgency.

2. By Pointing to Christ (2-4)

The way to effectively proclaim the Gospel, as seen in Romans 10:2-4, is by pointing people directly to Christ. Paul acknowledges that the Israelites have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. The Greek word for "zeal" is "zēlos," which denotes fervor or enthusiasm. This word is also used in Galatians 4:17-18, illustrating the idea that zeal is good only when it is "for a good purpose," which in this context means according to the truth of the Gospel. Likewise, the term "knowledge" in Greek is "epignōsis," which means precise and correct knowledge. It is this "epignōsis" that Paul suggests the Israelites are lacking; their zeal is not aligned with true knowledge of God’s way of righteousness.

Paul then zeroes in on the crux of the matter: They have not submitted to God's righteousness and are seeking to establish their own. The word "submitted" is "hupotassō" in Greek, which means to place or rank under, to subject oneself. Paul uses the same term in Ephesians 5:21, exhorting believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." The Israelites' failure to submit to God's righteousness demonstrates their self-reliance and misunderstanding of how righteousness is attained.

Paul concludes this section by saying, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." The term "end" here is "telos," meaning the aim or ultimate goal. This word is used in 1 Peter 1:9, where it is said that the "outcome (telos) of your faith, the salvation of your souls," is the ultimate aim. Christ is the aim or conclusion of the law, providing righteousness for everyone who believes. He is what the law and the prophets pointed to, and He fulfills the law’s requirements on our behalf.

Therefore, by pointing to Christ, you direct people away from the futile effort of trying to establish their own righteousness and toward the only source of true righteousness, which is faith in Christ.

3. By Telling The Gospel (Verses 5-13)

In Romans 10:5-13, Paul juxtaposes the righteousness based on the law with the righteousness based on faith. He starts by quoting Leviticus 18:5 to remind his readers that the Mosaic Law demands complete and continuous obedience, a standard that no human can fulfill. This serves as a backdrop against which the righteousness of faith is magnified.

Verses 6-8 draw from Deuteronomy 30:11-14, subtly transforming the text from speaking about the law to speaking about the message of faith in Christ. The righteousness of faith is not a distant, complicated doctrine but something close and accessible, "in your mouth and in your heart." The Greek term "rhēma," meaning a specific utterance, emphasizes the tangibility and nearness of this message.

Paul crystallizes the content of this faith-based righteousness in verses 9-10: Confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection. Here, the Greek verb "homologeō" for "confess" conveys the notion of agreeing or acknowledging openly. Similarly, "pisteuō" for "believe" signifies an active, trusting faith. The confession and belief are not merely cognitive assents but transformative actions that result in salvation and righteousness, respectively.

Paul expands this message's universality in verses 11-13 by quoting Isaiah 28:16 and Joel 2:32. He wants to convey that this offer of righteousness and salvation is available to "everyone," Jew and Gentile alike, who "believes" and "calls on the name of the Lord." The term "everyone" translates the Greek "pas," meaning every kind, type, or sort. The verb "epikaleō" for "calls" implies an earnest appeal or invocation, not a casual or insincere request.

By bringing Old Testament texts into a fresh light, Paul articulates that righteousness is no longer about stringent law-keeping but about faith in Christ. Moreover, this righteousness is universally accessible. The chapter serves as a compelling treatise on the nature of Gospel righteousness—obtained not by works but by faith, close at hand, and available to all who will receive it.

While Romans 10:5-13 outlines the distinctiveness and accessibility of righteousness by faith, it simultaneously lays the groundwork for the Christian's divine mandate: telling the Gospel. Paul makes it abundantly clear that the message is not obscure or distant, but rather so close as to be "in your mouth and in your heart." This simplicity and closeness of the message of faith in Christ don't just serve as theological points; they also issue a compelling call to action. If the Gospel is this accessible and this impactful, offering righteousness and salvation to "everyone who believes," then the natural next step for the believer is to share this life-changing message with others. In other words, understanding the straightforward, accessible nature of the Gospel should compel us to fulfill the responsibility we have in "By telling the Gospel." The righteousness that is by faith is not a treasure to be hoarded but a gift to be shared universally.

4. By Sending Preachers (Verses 14-15)

Another way is by sending preachers to articulate the Gospel. Paul explains that people can't believe in what they haven't heard, and they can't hear unless someone is sent to preach. The Greek word for "preach" is "kērussō," which means to proclaim publicly, especially something that serves as a herald. This same word is used in 1 Corinthians 1:23 where Paul says, "but we preach (kērussō) Christ crucified." The act of sending and being sent emphasizes the essential nature of proclamation in God’s plan for salvation.

5. By Addressing Unbelief (Verses 16-21)

Finally, addressing unbelief is a crucial way to engage in the act of proclaiming the Gospel. In these verses, Paul brings out the tragedy of Israel’s rejection despite having heard. The term "heard" is from the Greek word "akoúō," which implies not just auditory reception but comprehension. This same word is used in Matthew 13:13, "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." Addressing unbelief means grappling with the reasons people resist the Gospel, utilizing Scripture to show them that their objections are not new and have been answered by God's word.

Each of these ways aligns closely with the imperative of Romans 10, guiding believers on how to be effective in proclaiming the Gospel to all.

Invitation

If you've been wrestling with questions about meaning, purpose, or how to be right with God, Romans 10 has something profoundly simple yet eternally significant to tell you. It says you don't have to ascend to heaven or descend into the abyss to find righteousness. You don't have to be perfect or strive to earn God's favor by your own efforts. The message is closer than you think; it's as near as your own heart and mouth.

The Bible tells us that we've all sinned, and this sin separates us from a holy God. But God, in His incredible love, sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Christ became the final sacrifice, fulfilling all the righteous demands of the Law we could never meet. He didn't stay dead; He rose again, conquering sin and death, making a way for us to be right with God.

So, what should be your response? Romans 10:9-10 lays it out clearly: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This is not just intellectual assent; it's a life-transforming faith that acknowledges Jesus and trusts in His resurrection for your salvation.

If you've never taken this step of faith, you can do it right now. The promise of Romans 10 is for "everyone" who believes and calls on the name of the Lord. You can express this faith in a simple prayer, confessing your sin and declaring your trust in Christ's death and resurrection for your salvation. If you trust Christ today, the Bible assures you not just of a changed life here and now but of eternal life with God.

Don't let this moment pass you by. The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. Respond in faith, confess Jesus as Lord, believe in His resurrection, and experience the salvation and righteousness that only He can give.

Bibliography

"The Righteousness of Faith: An Exegesis and Application of Romans 10." Conversations with ChatGPT. OpenAI, 2023.

Keywords

Romans, Romans 7, Righteousness, Faith, Salvation, Gospel, Confession