Summary of Romans 10:1-13 and the Call to Salvation
Romans 10:1-13 presents Paul's earnest desire for the salvation of Israel and clarifies the path to salvation through faith in Christ. Paul begins by stating, "Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication God-ward in their behalf, are for salvation" (Romans 10:1 Rotherham) [2]. This expresses his deep longing for his fellow Jews to be saved, a theme continued from the preceding chapter [9].
Paul acknowledges that Israel has a "zeal for God," but it is "not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). He explains that they sought to establish their own righteousness rather than submitting to God's righteousness, failing to recognize that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:3-4) [5]. This highlights a central tension in Romans between righteousness by works of the law and righteousness by faith.
The passage then contrasts the righteousness of the law, described by Moses in terms of doing the commandments to live by them (Romans 10:5), with the righteousness that comes from faith. Paul quotes Deuteronomy, emphasizing that the word of faith is near, "in your mouth and in your heart" (Romans 10:8). This "word of faith" is the message about Jesus [7].
The core of the passage is found in Romans 10:9-10: "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." This declaration links belief and confession directly to salvation [3]. The concept of salvation here encompasses a final victory over sin and death that believers will experience at Christ's return [8].
Paul reinforces this by quoting Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13: "For, 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved'" [1]. This universal declaration underscores that salvation is available to all, Jew and Gentile alike, who call upon the Lord [4]. The Apostle Paul consistently emphasizes that salvation is "by God's grace" [6]. The Nicene Creed affirms that Christ "for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven" [10]. This passage functions as a foundational text for understanding the accessibility of salvation through faith, contrasting it with attempts to achieve righteousness through legalistic adherence [7].
Sources
- Romans “For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -- Romans 10:13”
- Romans “Romans 10:1 (Rotherham) — Brethren! the delight of my own heart and my supplication God-ward in their behalf, are for salvation;”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 10:10 cross-references: Luke 8:15, John 1:12, John 3:19, Acts 8:37, Romans 10:9, Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:9, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 10:22, 1 John 4:15, Revelation 2:13”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 10:3 cross-references: Leviticus 26:41, Nehemiah 9:33, Job 33:27, Psalms 71:15, Psalms 71:19, Isaiah 51:6, Isaiah 51:8, Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 57:12, Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 23:5, Lamentations 3:22, Daniel 9:6, Daniel 9:24, Luke 10:29, Luke 15:17, Luke 16:15, Luke 18:9, John 16:9, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22, Romans 3:26, Romans 5:19, Romans 9:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 5:3, Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 3:17”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10 (introduction): The apostle expresses his earnest desire for the salvation of the Jews, Rom 10:1. Having a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, they sought salvation by works, and not by faith in Christ, Rom 10:2-4. The righteousness which is of the law described, Rom 10:5. That which is by faith described also, Rom 10:6-10. He that believes and calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, Rom 10:11-13. What is necessary to salvation, believing, hearing, preaching, a Divine mission, the Gospel, and obedience to its precepts, Rom 10:14-16. Faith comes by heari”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:11: 13:11 The New Testament often speaks of salvation as the final victory over sin and death that believers will experience when Jesus returns in glory (see 5:9-10).”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 10 (introduction): SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED--HOW ISRAEL CAME TO MISS SALVATION, AND THE GENTILES TO FIND IT. (Rom. 10:1-21) Brethren, my heart's desire--The word here expresses "entire complacency," that in which the heart would experience full satisfaction. and prayer--"supplication." to God for Israel--"for them" is the true reading; the subject being continued from the close of the preceding chapter. is, that they may be saved--"for their salvation." Having before poured forth the anguish of his soul at the general unbelief of his nation and its drea”
- Nicene Creed (Ecumenical) “Nicene Creed (Ecumenical, 325/381 AD), Section 2: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and”