Romans 10:5-13

Sunday School

As we continue in Romans, Paul explains that righteousness through the law requires perfect obedience, while righteousness through faith trusts in Christ's completed work. Salvation is accessible if we confess with our mouth, believe in our heart. Salvation is also available to all. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.

Let’s jump right in.

Would someone please read Romans 10:5-13 out loud?

Romans 10:5–13 ESV

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “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 that we proclaim); because, 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What might Paul mean by "righteousness based on the law" in verse 5? Paul is referring to the idea that those who try to be righteous before God by keeping the law must obey it perfectly. He quotes Leviticus 18:5 (“You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.”) to emphasize that living by the law means total, continual obedience—something no one can truly achieve on their own. This sets the stage for the need for another way to be righteous, and that is faith.

How is "righteousness based on faith" described differently in verses 6–8? Paul is using metaphors to show that righteousness through faith is not about striving (e.g., "ascending to heaven" or "descending into the abyss") but about believing in the nearness and accessibility of the Gospel message of Jesus. He quotes Deuteronomy 30:12–14 (“It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”) to stress that God has already brought His Word near to us.

According to verse 9, what must a person do to be saved? They must confess with their mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. Salvation involves both an internal belief and an external expression of faith in Jesus.

Why might both confession and belief be necessary? Confession confirms what is genuinely believed in the heart. Belief alone, if not expressed, may be incomplete or hidden. Together, they demonstrate both personal trust and public allegiance to Christ. It shows that we are not ashamed of the name of Jesus.

Why might this be important for us to grasp? If we truly believe who Jesus is and what He did for us though we did not deserve it, We can’t help but sing and tout His praise to the world and anyone who may listen. Grasping who He really is should make us not be able to shut-up about His wonderful grace and mercy. There is no way we can simply go through the motions. Simply going through the motions shows either a lack of or non-existence of a knowledge of who God is in comparison to who we are.

How might this make you feel about the importance of sharing the Gospel? Not sharing is disobedience and sin. It demonstrates that we truly belong to Him.

What might verse 11 mean when it says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame"? It means that those who place their faith in Christ will not be disappointed or disgraced. God honors and saves those who trust Him, and they will be vindicated, especially in the final judgment.

How do we see Paul emphasize the inclusiveness of the gospel in verses 12–13? He says there's no distinction between Jew and Greek. God is Lord of all and richly blesses everyone who calls on Him. Paul is quoting Joel 2:32 (“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.”” in verse 13 that reinforces that salvation is available to everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or past.

What might this passage tell us about God's accessibility? God is not distant or hard to reach. He has made salvation simple and accessible: it’s not based on merit (works) or religious status, but on faith alone in Jesus.

What might “The word is near you,” mean? It meaning the gospel is close enough for anyone to respond.

If time permits, ask the following questions:

Would anyone like to share where they have been tempted to rely on their own efforts to be right with God rather than trusting Jesus fully?

Would anyone like to share what it means to them to “confess with my mouth” today in a public way?

Is there anyone in your life that might need to hear that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”?