Romans 10:1-21

KJ

Rom 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 

Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 

Rom 10:3  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. 

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Rom 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 

Rom 10:6  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:) 

Rom 10:7  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 

Rom 10:8  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; 

Rom 10:9  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. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Rom 10:12  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. 

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Rom 10:14  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? 

Rom 10:15  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! 

Rom 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Rom 10:18  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. 

Rom 10:19  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. 

Rom 10:20  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. 

Rom 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. 

Main Points: Paul re-iterates his plea to lead his kinsmen to salvation. He also continues his argument for coming to God in a state of faith as opposed to attempting to establish their own brand of righteousness.

 

1.    What lesson do we learn from verse 2? Zeal without knowledge is useless. Paul knows this firsthand. He is overtly qualified to call this out.

2.    Why has Israel not found justification? (3) In a linear explanation: They ignored God’s righteousness. They sought to make themselves righteous (through works). They did not submit themselves to God. When we consider this, isn’t it basically the subordinate making themselves as gods? If you can make God “owe” you something, isn’t that exerting your own power? (extortion)

3.    Explain verse 4.  End: G5056 – telo - properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result- Jesus is the righteous result of the law. No other person could do this. He is the conclusion of the law (or…the end of it)! Note: Although Jesus did not sin, He did not exercise his righteousness as something owed. He still humbled Himself before the Father in obedience. 

4.    How is one justified by law? (5)  “live by them” Lev 18:4-5. The concept of LIVING something extends way past doing it as a means to an end. Living it means the righteousness the law was to instill becomes a part of the character. ….being honest and gentle…considerate etc. If we look to chapters like 5-7 we see the law had become an invitation to sin, not a way to overcome it.

5.    What is the righteousness based on faith, according to Paul? (6-10) (Refer to Deut 30) Paul is reaching back to chapter 2 where he states that God’s kindness should lead a person to a life of repentance. He actually corrects their thinking of the law. It TOO was supposed to lead the person to love God. Instead, they held on to sin and tried to extort “righteousness” by their own works. Paul focuses on the believer being moved to “confess” that Jesus is Lord based on a deep belief within the heart. That moves beyond what Jesus did (ascend/descend) and forces the one hearing to make a change in thought/actions. How does Jesus change me internally/externally? The law was built to do that as well, but it was missing the Jesus component of propitiation.

6.    What is the point of verse 12 in the context of Paul’s argument in this chapter and the last chapter? I think we need to couple verse eleven as well since it is similar to that OT reference in chapter 9- (9:33) Is.28:16. Paul’s effort here is to unify the church by convincing the Jews that Gentiles are afforded this opportunity for salvation. Isaiah infers that ANYONE who trusts in God will not be disappointed. Paul’s focus is on “ANYONE” and shows that it extends beyond Israel. It extends beyond law and mere obedience (pervious verses).

7.    How does one “call on the name of the Lord,” according to this text? (13) Within the text, it is simply to assent verbally that Jesus is Lord. We must not ignore this word structure. It uses two words one means to “call, aloud.” The other word means “superimposition.” This is not just a “hey there” or a call to pay attention. It is an entreaty: for help, aid, assistance. That is the foundation of the Christian calling Jesus “Lord.”  This sensibility also continues Paul’s argument that we cannot do this on our own. It is a call to humility.

8.    What is the point of verses 14-17? Following Paul’s linear pattern: 1) The law has been fulfilled. 2) God now relates to us through His son Jesus the Christ. 3) This new way is extended to the entire world. It is not nation specific. 4) These things bring questions as to how the Gentiles can be included. Paul’s MAIN POINT is that (as always) God’s plan is contingent on FAITH which any person can generate, but it must be of a Holy foundation. That holy foundation is God’s word. (Some translations interpret “the word of Christ” or “the message about Christ”, which is agreeable, but the actual word used typically denotes Jehovah. He gets a little into the nuts and bolts of it, but his main point is Gentiles have access to God too.
Note: In the same way the Gentiles were unbelievers, the Jews were (of Jesus) as well.

9.    Has Israel heard? (16) “But they have not all obeyed the gospel” – the statement can apply to anyone who does not believe and confess Jesus. It is likely directed at Israel for what he is about to say next.

10.  What is the reason Israel has not obeyed? (19-21)  Arrogance/faithlessness: Other nations that were perceived to lack understanding  pleased God (because of their faith). People who were not perceived to be looking for God found Him (by faith). God calls Israel “disobedient and contrary.”  The big difference here is humility. Those who call for aid vs. those who call for earned righteousness.

 

Additional:

10) confess: G3670 hom-ol-og-eh'-o From a compound of the base of G3674 and G3056; to assent,

13) Call –G1941 : ἐπικαλέομαι epikaleomai ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee

Middle voice from G1909 and G2564; to entitle; by implication to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.): - appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.