The study of the Book of Romans chapter 10
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Romans chapter 10.
10:4 Christ is the end of the law: Israel mistook the purpose of the law. The law pointed to the righteousness that is attainable only by belief in Christ. Israel also mistook the scope of the law. The righteousness to which it pointed was universally available to all who responded to God's revelation of Himself through the law. But by Paul's time many had substituted works for faith. Rather than seeking redemption in God's mercy, they pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement.
10:6-9 Paul skillfully weaves together quotation from Deuteronomy 9:4 and 30:10-14, which speak of God's initiative in grace and man's humble obedience to it. He then applies this truth to the gospel of Christ.
10:10,11 Confession is made unto salvation: One is not saved by his mouth's confession, but rather, the mouth testifies readily of the grace of God in Christ which has been received by faith.
10:13 Whosoever: As chapter 9 stressed divine sovereignty in salvation, this passage stresses human responsibility. Scripture does not view these two principles as paradoxical or contradictory, but as mutually compatible truths.
10:14, 15 In presenting the universal proclamation of the gospel, Paul presents the reasons why a universal proclamation is necessary: First, because the call must be preceded by faith; second, because faith must be preceded by hearing. This shows that knowledge is essential to belief. Faith must have a valid content (4:18ff.); third, because hearing requires a preacher; fourth, because preaching requires being sent. The One who sends is God. Salvation is completely from God.
10:17 The word of God: Better, "the word of Christ." The reference is to the oral communication of the gospel. (The word translated "report" in verse 16 is translated "hearing" here.) Notice that it is not faith in what is heard, but faith that comes about by what is heard. This is what Paul meant in 1:16 when he said the gospel "is the power of God unto salvation." Saving faith is not man doing his part in response to God's having done His part (synergism). Saving faith can come about only through the gospel. Salvation is God's work alone (monergism). This also shows that there is no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
