Romans 10:8-14

Rom 10:8 (KJV)
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;

For 1500 years the word of God was so close to the nation of Israel because it was through them that God brought the entire Hebrew Scriptures. However, because they did not receive the word of God in faith it was to no avail. Here Paul is making the same claim to those who hear him. The word of God is readily available to them who hear it. In fact, the word is so close it is in their mouth and heart but the problem is that it doesn’t take root because they are steeped in the belief that they must adhere strictly to the law of God for salvation. They did not accept the reality that salvation came through a person and not the written law. This is the same situation with many people who sit in churches each week or listen to Christian radio, the word is near them but it does no good for them if it does not regenerate them unto salvation.

Rom 10:9 (KJV)
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.

The word “confess” carries with it the meaning of “saying the same thing.” (Amos 3:3 KJV) Can two walk together, except they be agreed? A person can say the same thing as God says because they are regenerated. Those who are unsaved will say exactly the opposite of what God has to say. The only reason a person can confess openly and verbally the Lord Jesus Christ, is because they have become saved. Notice the second part of this verse. If a person believes in their heart, not just empty words, that Christ was raised from the dead, then that is evidence that a person is saved. There is a big difference between believing truly and just uttering some words which will mean nothing toward anyone’s salvation. This verse has unfortunately been used in trying to get people to believe they are saved just because they say a few words. The reality is that the words of the regenerated are only truly spoken by those who are already.

Rom 10:10 (KJV)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Here is a verse which teaches that twofold evidence of salvation. First, when God saves a person, they believe in their hearts, which is really in their spirit essence. They receive their resurrected souls at the moment of salvation. (Ezek 36:26 KJV) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Secondly, a person who truly believes in their heart, will be unable to keep it to themselves and will become a verbal witness and tell others about the Lord. Jeremiah wanted to stop bringing the word of God to Judah but he could not because it was as a fire in his heart. (Jer 20:9 KJV) Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. The mouth confesses what the regenerated heart has believed.

Rom 10:11 (KJV)
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

As stated in Romans 9:33 that anyone who believes on the Lord will never be ashamed. The word “ashamed” carries with it the meaning of, “disgraced or dishonored.” Those at the White Throne Judgment will be the ones who will be ashamed because they will still be in their sins because they stand naked before the throne. (Heb 4:13 KJV) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. As we walk in this world, when we have faith in God for every situation, even though the world will look down on faith in God, God will always work things out and when we have faith in God, it produces peace in our life and that is when people will see that our faith is real. Believing God is never wrong in the life of the believer, instead, disbelieving Him is.

Rom 10:12 (KJV)
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.

We are saved by grace and not by race, therefore it does not matter what race we are concerning the kingdom of God. The Lord bestows full blessings upon all His true children. The ground is level at the foot of the cross plus God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34 KJV) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: As God makes no distinctions between sinners of all races, He does not discriminate when it comes to His redeemed. All sinners will go to Hell, regardless of race and all the saved will go to heaven.

Rom 10:13 (KJV)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Here is a simple definition of the previous verse. Whosoever, which means anybody of any race who is truly Elect of God, will be saved. We call upon the name of the Lord in response to the Lord already regenerating us. We do not call upon the name of the Lord from a position of being spiritually dead because that would be impossible. What can the dead do except be dead? (Eph 2:5 KJV) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) We, the believers, were once dead in our sins but it is God who quickens us, or makes us alive unto Him, and only then can we respond to Him. The dead cannot call upon the name of the Lord, only the living.

Rom 10:14 (KJV)
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?

Now Paul asks three pertinent questions concerning the responsibility of both the church and the individual believer. First, how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? It is impossible to call upon the Lord unless the person has already believed. Secondly, and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? If the true gospel is never preached, then how could it be possible that they believe in God if they have never heard of Him? Thirdly, and how shall they hear without a preacher? It would be impossible for someone to hear if they did not have the word preached to them. Here the word “preacher” in the Greek is the word “kerusoo” which means “to proclaim aloud or publicly preach.” This does not necessarily mean that an ordained preacher is to do the preaching but it means that every believer has a responsibility to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Public proclamation can also be the dissemination of the Word by the written word.

Back