Romans 10:5-13
Salvation is received by faith in the risen Lord and confessed openly.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”
6 But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down);
7 or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)”
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith which we preach:
9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.
13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Salvation is received by faith in the risen Lord and confessed openly.
To contrast law-based righteousness with faith-based righteousness and to declare the simplicity and universality of salvation through confessing and believing in Christ.
Romans 10:5-13 follows Romans 9:30-10:4, where Paul explained that Israel stumbled because they pursued righteousness as though by works rather than by faith, did not submit to God’s righteousness, and failed to recognize Christ as the culmination of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:5-13 now develops that contrast by setting righteousness based on law alongside righteousness based on faith. Paul uses Moses and Deuteronomy to show that the gospel word is near and that salvation is received by believing in the risen Christ and confessing Jesus as Lord. This section prepares for Romans 10:14-21, where Paul will explain the necessity of preaching, hearing, and Israel’s accountability for rejecting the proclaimed word.
Paul writes after explaining that Israel pursued righteousness as though by works and stumbled over Christ. He now shows from Scripture that righteousness by faith is not foreign to Moses but is the proper response to the word God has brought near in Christ. Believers in Rome, including Jewish and Gentile Christians who needed clarity concerning righteousness by faith, Israel’s responsibility, Christ’s lordship, and the universal availability of salvation in the gospel Romans 10:5-13 stands within Paul’s argument that God’s righteousness is revealed in Christ and received by faith. It connects Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and Joel to Christ’s incarnation, resurrection, lordship, and the universal call of the gospel.
Christ the End of the Law and the Righteousness Received by Faith
Salvation is not gained by self-established righteousness but received by faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ, proclaimed through the gospel and offered to all who call on the name of the Lord.