Book of Romans · Chapter 10 of 16
21 verses · 7 video commentaries from 3 courses · Berean Standard Bible
1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.
2For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
3Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
4For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.
5For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”
6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down)
7or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
9that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
11It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
12For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,
13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
17Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
19I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says: “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.”
20And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
21But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Rom 10:1-4
Paul believes the primary issue for Jews is their failure to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah. He argues that Jesus fulfilled God's plan for salvation, and those who reject this salvation, whether Jew or Gentile, will not receive it. Thus, it is not that God has rejected his people, but rather that his people have rejected him.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Does Paul Think God Hates Jews? · watch the clip
Rom 10:4
The New Testament authors consistently present Jesus as the interpretive center of the Bible, embodying, fulfilling, and completing the story of Israel. This means that the Old Testament is read and shaped around Jesus, even when it requires creative interpretation that might not align with the original author's intent. Paul's statement in Romans 10 that Christ is the 'end' (telos) of the law signifies that Jesus brings the law to its completion, not its abolition, making Him the climactic and unexpected fulfillment of Israel's narrative.
Summarized by AI · Jesus and the Old Testament · Lecture 6: Some Thoughts to Ponder About What the Bible is and What We're Supposed to do with it · watch the clip
Paul believed that Gentiles were entering into a New Covenant with the Jewish God, distinct from the existing covenant with the Jewish people. This New Covenant, predicted in scripture, was established through Jesus's death and resurrection, which defeated death and demonstrated his messianic status. This new arrangement meant that traditional Jewish laws, like circumcision, were not required for Gentiles.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Why Didn��t Paul Require Circumcision? · watch the clip
Rom 10:5-8
Paul contrasts righteousness by law with righteousness by faith in Romans 10. He cites Deuteronomy 30, where Moses states that the commandment is not too hard or far away, but 'the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart.' Paul reinterprets this 'word' as Christ, asserting that God brought Christ down through incarnation and raised him from the dead, making him accessible through faith, thereby replacing the law as the center of God's plan.
Summarized by AI · Jesus and the Old Testament · Lecture 3: Angle 1 | New Testament Authors Explicitly Citing the Old Testament · watch the clip
Rom 10:9
Jesus taught that at the final judgment, people would be separated into 'sheep' and 'goats' based on how they treated 'the least of these my brothers and sisters.' Those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, and visited the lonely would inherit the kingdom, while those who neglected these acts would face judgment. This parable suggests salvation is tied to concrete acts of compassion, even for Gentiles who may not know Jesus.
Summarized by AI · Paul and Jesus: The Great Divide · Lecture 3: Jesus the Moral Teacher · watch the clip
Jesus believed that the core of his ministry was for people to listen to and obey his teachings, particularly regarding repentance and returning to God. Paul, however, did not consider Jesus' teachings on repentance and forgiveness to be central. For Paul, the pivotal events were Jesus' death and resurrection, and salvation was achieved by turning to Jesus as the focus of how to reach God.
Summarized by AI · Paul and Jesus: The Great Divide · Lecture 8: Did Paul and Jesus Have the Same Religion? · watch the clip
Rom 10:12
Across all his models of salvation, Paul consistently emphasizes that Christ is the exclusive means of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. This means that both groups are equal before God and can receive salvation through Christ without Gentiles needing to convert to Judaism. While they remain distinct in their identities, they are unified in Christ.
Summarized by AI · Paul and Jesus: The Great Divide · Lecture 5: The Gospel of Paul · watch the clip