“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 10:1-21 THE DECLARATION OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

In this section of the sovereignty of God in relation to the nation Israel (chapters 9-11), Paul discusses the special privilege of the nation of Israel in God’s sovereign choice of them; a choice they did not merit, but was based on God’s mercy (Romans 9:15-16).  The Apostle Paul loved his people and desired earnestly that they be saved (Romans 9:1-3).  Now in chapter 10:1, the Apostle Paul continues to express his undying love for his people by saying: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”  Although Israel’s earthly lineage was indeed special,  their lineage could not save them (Romans 9:6-8).  As a nation, they rejected the Messiah, the only One who was sufficient to save (Acts 2:36-39; 3:12-19). Paul exhibits a great concern for his Jewish brethren’s salvation and we should be concerned for the salvation of the lost!

At one time in his life, Paul was just as spiritually blind as they were!  Paul expressed the zeal that the Jews had for God, but it was “not according to knowledge” (v. 2).  They rejected the knowledge of the Messiah in preference for maintaining their man-made traditions.  In the past, Paul was both sincere and zealous in his belief, and passionate in his cause; yet Paul was sincerely wrong!  Since the nation as a whole had rejected the Messiah, the nation had not submitted themselves to God’s way of righteousness through Christ (v. 3).  Trying to achieve righteousness through keeping the Law, the Jewish nation missed the primary point of the Law, for Christ is the “end of the Law.”  In other words, the Law pointed to Christ, for He is the “fulfillment, aim, or purpose” of the Law, (v. 4).  Quoting from Leviticus 18:5, Paul related the importance of obeying God’s Law.  However, to attain righteousness, one must obey the law perfectly.  Nevertheless, Jesus Christ was the only One to perfectly obey its demands.

In verses 6-8, Paul makes salvation plain by stating that Christ is the means of attaining salvation!  One does not have to go to heaven to find Christ, or into the world of the dead.  He (Christ) is near to us!  The word of faith is available and accessible.  All one needs to do to be saved is to trust Christ and not trust in works!  When one truly and genuinely confesses with the mouth and believes with his heart the Lord Jesus, verses 9-10 warrants that one is saved!  Confessing Christ leads to salvation, complete deliverance from sin.  Quoting from Isaiah 28:16, Paul reminded these believers that those who trust in Christ will not be ashamed or disappointed (v. 11).

The promise of salvation is true and secure because the promise issues from God, Jesus Christ!  Although the Jews might have enjoyed a privileged position because of their heritage and history, the coming of Christ made it possible for all people to be saved.  From the viewpoint of heritage and history, the Jew might have the advantage; however, from the viewpoint of need, both groups were equal, “for all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).  With that said, there is not one God for Jews and another God for Gentiles, “for the same Lord is over all” (v. 12).  Because there is no difference between the Jew and Gentile, the invitation is extended to all men, for Romans 10:13, says: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

In spreading the invitational message, God uses human instruments so that the gospel message might be conveyed (vs. 14-17).  If people are to come to faith in Christ, they have to hear the message that produces faith.  This message is contained in the gospel, or the “Word of God.”  Paul answers the question raised in verse 18 by affirming that the Jews had an adequate opportunity to respond to the message.  Paul quotes from Psalm 19 to support his answer, proving that the Jews had both natural (creation) and special revelation (the word).  Finally, in quoting from two Old Testament sources (Deuteronomy 32:21 and Isaiah 65:1), Paul recalled in prophecy how God turned to Gentiles as a result of the Jew’s rejection of the message (vs. 19-21).

May God Bless!