Romans 10 – Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans Chapter 10 continues Paul’s heartfelt concern for Israel and reveals that righteousness is by faith, not the law. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. The message of salvation is near—in the mouth and heart—and all who believe and call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The Word of Faith and the Universality of the Gospel
✔ Paul desires Israel’s salvation.
✔ Righteousness comes by faith, not works.
✔ Salvation is as near as believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth.
✔ No distinction between Jew and Greek in salvation.
✔ Faith comes through the preached word.
📖 Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
🔎 Salvation is not selective. God’s promise is open to everyone who believes.
Romans Chapter 10 - Overview
Romans 10:1–4 – Zeal Without Knowledge
📖 Romans 10:1–2 – “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is… that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.“
🔎 Zeal is not enough. Sincerity does not replace truth. Passion for God must be guided by the Gospel.
📖 Romans 10:3–4 – “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness… have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.“
🔎 Christ didn’t cancel the law—He fulfilled it. He is the goal of it, bringing true righteousness to those who believe.
➡️ Religion without Christ results in striving without rest.
Romans 10:5–13 – Confess and Believe
📖 Romans 10:6–8 – “Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend…? The word is nigh thee… in thy mouth, and in thy heart.“
🔎 Salvation isn’t hidden in heaven or buried in the deep—it’s near. God’s word has come close in Christ.
📖 Romans 10:9–10 – “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus… and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.“
🔎 Salvation involves both belief and confession—faith is internal, but it transforms the external.
📖 Romans 10:12–13 – “There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek… for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
🔎 The Gospel does not discriminate. God’s door is open to every heart that calls in faith.
➡️ Faith doesn’t climb a ladder—it simply believes and speaks.
Romans 10:14–21 – The Reach of the Word
📖 Romans 10:14–15 – “How then shall they call on him…? And how shall they hear without a preacher?“
🔎 The Gospel spreads by proclamation. Hearing precedes believing, and someone must carry the message.
📖 Romans 10:17 – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“
🔎 Faith is awakened through God’s word. It must be preached, received, and believed.
📖 Romans 10:18–21 – “Did not Israel know…? I was found of them that sought me not… All day long I have stretched forth my hands.“
🔎 Israel’s rejection was foretold. Gentiles embraced the word, while Israel resisted—even with God’s arms still outstretched.
➡️ God’s word is still going out—and His hands are still extended.
Romans Chapter 10 - Deeper Study
Overview: From the Heart to the Nations
🔹 Timeframe: Paul continues addressing Israel’s unbelief.
🔹 Setting: Explaining how righteousness is accessed through faith, not law.
🔹 Theme: Salvation is near and accessible to all.
🔹 Connection to Future Events: Leads into Romans 11—God’s future plan for Israel.
Faith and the Word – Not by Works but by Hearing
God’s salvation plan isn’t hidden—it’s heralded.
🔹 The law demanded perfection—faith receives a Person.
🔹 Confession flows from conviction.
🔹 The preached Word is the means of awakening faith.
➡️ The Gospel must be proclaimed to be received.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Zeal without truth cannot save.
🔑 Salvation is by believing in the heart and confessing Christ.
🔑 There is no distinction—salvation is for all.
🔑 Faith comes through hearing the Word.
🔑 God is still reaching out—even to the resistant.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Deuteronomy 30:14 – The word is very near you.
🔮 Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful are the feet of those who preach.
🔮 Joel 2:32 – Whoever calls on the Lord shall be saved.
🔮 Isaiah 65:2 – I have stretched out my hands to a rebellious people.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Oral confession held legal and spiritual significance.
📜 Jews struggled to shift from law-based righteousness to faith-based salvation.
📜 Paul’s inclusion of Gentiles challenged Jewish exclusivity.
📜 Preaching was central to the early church’s mission.
💡 Final Reflection: Have You Called on the Lord?
📌 Are you trusting your own effort—or believing in Christ alone?
📌 Have you confessed Him publicly and personally?
📌 Are you willing to share the Word that brings life?
📖 Romans 10:9 – “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart… thou shalt be saved.“
🔥 Salvation is not a mountain to climb—it’s a Savior to call upon. The word is near. Believe and speak—and live.
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.
The Message of Salvation to All
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.
Date Written
Around 65 AD
Written By
Paul the Apostle
Language
Greek
Verses
21