Romans Chapter 10

At a Glance

  • Romans 10 continues Paul’s hinge-argument about how Israel may be saved and how righteousness comes to all who believe.
  • Paul then navigates the practical questions: how shall they call on one they have not believed in?
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • - Righteousness by faith, not by works: Christ fulfills the law’s righteousness for believers.
  • - Proclamation and response: hearing the gospel is essential for faith and salvation.

Chapter Overview

Romans 10 continues Paul’s hinge-argument about how Israel may be saved and how righteousness comes to all who believe. The chapter opens with Paul’s longing for Israel’s salvation, grounded in zeal for God but recognizing a deficit in knowledge: they pursue righteousness by works rather than submitting to the righteousness of God revealed in Christ. Paul emphasizes the insufficiency of law-keeping for righteousness and proclaims Christ as the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. The core proposition is that faith comes through hearing the message of Christ, proclaimed by preachers who are sent. The word of faith—the gospel near at hand—is accessible in the heart and mouth, enabling confession and belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. This leads to universal access to salvation: there is no difference between Jew and Greek; all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Paul then navigates the practical questions: how shall they call on one they have not believed in? how shall they believe without hearing? how shall they hear without a preacher? The text acknowledges the necessity of proclamation and the beauty of those who bring the gospel (quoting Isaiah: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news”). The chapter ends with a sober note on the need for proclamation and the critical link between hearing and faith. Paul’s overarching aim is to reposition salvation as accessible to all who respond in faith to the message of Christ, while lamenting Israel’s current moment of refusal.

Historical & Literary Context

Romans 10 is part of Paul’s argumentative midsection where he moves from the theological to the missionary: how the gospel is universally accessible and what that means for mission to Jew and Gentile alike. The audience is a mixed church in Rome, experiencing tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers. The genre remains didactic and exhortational, blending scriptural citation, rhetorical questions, and pastoral concern. The chapter connects to Israel’s earlier history in Romans 9–11, but now foregrounds human response—belief, confession, and preaching—as the mechanism by which righteousness comes.

Key Themes

- Righteousness by faith, not by works: Christ fulfills the law’s righteousness for believers.

- Proclamation and response: hearing the gospel is essential for faith and salvation.

- Universality and accessibility of salvation: Jew and Gentile share the same gospel, same Lord, same saving faith.

- The responsibility of preaching: believers are sent to declare the gospel so that others may hear and believe.

- The tension between desire for Israel’s salvation and the reality of unbelief: Paul’s lament meets the necessity of mission.

Modern Application

Romans 10 invites contemporary Christians to reflect on how they engage with the gospel’s reach. It emphasizes that Christian faith rests on hearing and believing, not on inherited privilege or ritual. It challenges the church to prioritize clear proclamation of Christ crucified and risen, ensuring the message is accessible in diverse contexts. The text speaks to modern evangelism: the urgency of sending and support for messengers, the need to translate the gospel into culturally intelligible language, and the hospitality of communities that welcome those who believe. It also calls for humility in dialogue with those who have not heard, recognizing the power of a spoken witness and the Spirit’s work in opening hearts. Finally, it affirms that faith is not merely abstract assent but a calling to confess Jesus as Lord and believe in the resurrection.

- Romans 9–11 (Israel’s place and faith response)

- Isaiah 52–53 (the gospel’s coming and proclamation)

- Joel 2:32 (calling on the name of the Lord)

- Acts 2 (call to hear and response)

Recommended Personas

- Paul: for evangelistic clarity and missionary impulse

- Peter: for preaching and proclamation as communal life

- Jesus: for the basis of righteousness and lordship

- The Prophets (Isaiah): to anchor the sending and message of good news

- The Apostle (early church): to reflect on mission and crossing boundaries

Chapter Text

1

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7

Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19

But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20

But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21

But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

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