Romans Chapter 10
Righteousness by the Law and by Faith Contrasted
Constable’s summary of Chapter 10: “The chapter division signals a shift in Paul’s emphasis from God’s dealings with Israel in the past, specifically, before Christ’s death, to His dealings with them in the present.”
“In chapter 9 Paul dealt primarily with God’s dealings with Israel in the past, in chapter 10 with their present situation, and in chapter 11 with His future plans for the nation.”
Romans 10:1-4 (WEL) Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God but not according to full knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not yieldedN1 themselves under God’s righteousness. 4 For everyone who believes, Christ is the ending of the law for righteousness.
V1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.
Our highest, strongest desires arise in our soul, which the Bible sometimes terms heart.
Paul strongly, righteously, and sincerely prays for all Israel, the Jews, to be saved.
Most Christians feel the same about their family and even their friends.
Isn’t this a strong desire for all humans? Don’t we desire that they too would believe the Gospel and call on the name of the Lord to be saved?
We should always pray for Israel, the Jews, that they too will call on the name of Jesus.
V2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God but not according to full knowledge.
Paul knows the Jews have great zeal for God and Mosaic Law, but there is one problem. The problem is a lack of knowledge. This knowledge is for salvation. They have been sidetracked into believing keeping the Law will save. The Law does not save. Jesus saves by faith in His name.
See Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-10, Romans 5:9, and 1 Thessalonians 5:9.
V3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not yielded themselves under God’s righteousness.
They had no reason to be ignorant, nor did they have any excuse. The fact is, however, that they were ignorant. Abraham was saved, reckoned righteous in God’s sight because he believed God (Romans 15:6 and James 2:23). Our own righteousness is as filthy rags only good to burn (Isaiah 64:6).
We must yield ourselves to God’s condition for salvation and righteousness—believing God.
Romans 3:21 (MSB) 21 But now, apart from [the] law, [the] righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.
V4 For everyone who believes, Christ is the ending of the law for righteousness.
The law is the Mosaic Law. Jesus fulfilled the righteousness of the Law and yielded (Luke 22:42) to God the Father’s will for Him to be the Passover Lamb shedding His blood for our salvation.
We do not live life according to Mosaic Law; we live according to the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
We learn:
- Israel means Israel. Israel is not the church.
- Salvation is by believing in Jesus Christ alone, not by works.
Questions:
- Do you pray for all Israel, the Jews, to be saved?
- Do you pray for your family and friends to be saved?