Romans 10:5-8 (WEL) For Moses describes the righteousness that comes from the law, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness which comes from faith puts it this way, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven’ (that is, to bring Christ down), [Deuteronomy 30:12] 7 “Or ‘Who will go down into the abyss’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” [Acts 2:27-31, Deuteronomy 30:13] 8 Well, what does it say? The message is near you, [even] in your mouth and heart, that is, the message of the faith, which we preach [Deuteronomy 30:14]
V5 For Moses describes the righteousness that comes from the law, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
How does one become righteous before God? Mosaic Law requires keeping the law (Leviticus 18:5). The Gospel requires faith because works cannot save (Habakkuk 2:4 and Isaiah 28:16).
No one can keep the Law, however, so it is ineffective and a failure (Romans 3:20 and Acts 13:39). God allowed this on purpose because humans believe good works will save from God’s wrath.
V6 But the righteousness which comes from faith puts it this way, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven’ (that is, to bring Christ down)…[Deuteronomy 30:12]
Note the two methods that Paul writes: 1) righteousness from Mosaic law (a failure) and 2) righteousness from faith in Jesus Christ (success). The source of the quote: Deuteronomy 30:12 (NKJV) It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
We do not need to go to heaven to find God’s method of salvation. Messiah has come and revealed it. It is also revealed in the Old Testament (Genesis 15:6).
Comments:
Precept Austin:
“It is clearly implied in the previous verse [Romans 10:5] that the attainment of justification by a method which prescribed perfect obedience is impossible for sinful men. It is the purpose of this and the succeeding verses to declare that the Gospel requires no such impossibilities. It neither requires us to scale the heavens, nor to fathom the great abyss. It demands only faith.
Bible Knowledge Commentary:
“The material in Deuteronomy was part of Moses’ charge to the generation of Israel about to enter the land of Canaan. This exhortation was the conclusion of Moses’ prophetic description of God’s dealing with Israel. Blessing was promised for faith and obedience, and chastisement would result from rejection and disobedience.”
V7 “…Or ‘Who will go down into the abyss’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
We don’t need to go to Sheol/Hades to find Messiah because He was already raised from the dead.
Believers Bible Commentary: “Notice that in 10:6, 7 we have the two doctrines concerning Christ which were hardest for a Jew to accept—His Incarnation and His Resurrection. Yet he must accept these if he is to be saved. We will see these two doctrines again in 10:9, 10.”
Tyndale Open Study Notes: “Here Paul quotes three phrases from Deuteronomy 30:12-14 dealing with the law, and he applies them to the Good News about Christ. We do not need to go up to heaven to find Christ (and thus to be made right with God), because God has already brought him down to earth as a man. Nor do we need to go down to the place of the dead to find Christ, because God has already raised him from the dead. To find Christ, we must simply believe in the message that is close at hand.”
V8 Well, what does it say? The message is near you, [even] in your mouth and heart, that is, the message of the faith, which we preach.
Near you suggests it is not an unknown; it is a known fact from the Old Testament (Genesis 15:6, Habakkuk 2:4, and Isaiah 12:2).
Comments:
Ryrie: “(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) To find righteousness, which is by faith, there is no need to ascend to heaven or descend to the abyss, since Christ has come and been raised and offers that righteousness. That is the word proclaimed by Paul.”
Berean Study Bible:
But what does it say?
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, prompting the reader to consider the source of authority, which is Scripture itself. Paul is referencing Deuteronomy 30:14, emphasizing the accessibility and clarity of God’s word. This approach is typical of Jewish rabbinical teaching, where questions are used to engage the audience and lead them to deeper understanding.
“The word is near you;
This part of the verse highlights the immediacy and accessibility of God’s message. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses was assuring the Israelites that God’s commandments were not beyond their reach. Paul uses this to illustrate that the message of salvation through faith in Christ is readily available to all, not requiring extraordinary efforts to obtain.
it is in your mouth and in your heart,”
The dual location of the word—in the mouth and heart—suggests both confession and belief. This reflects the Jewish understanding of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), where God’s commandments are to be internalized and spoken. The heart represents the center of one’s being, while the mouth signifies the outward expression of faith. This connection is further emphasized in Romans 10:9-10, where confession and belief are linked to salvation.
that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
Paul clarifies that the “word” he refers to is the gospel message he and others are preaching. This “word of faith” is the good news of Jesus Christ, which fulfills the law and prophets. The proclamation of this message is central to the mission of the early church, as seen in Acts and the epistles. It underscores the transition from the law to grace, emphasizing faith in Christ as the means of righteousness.”
We learn:
- Keeping the Law will not save.
- Faith alone saves.
- Faith in Jesus Christ is the only faith that is approved by God for salvation.
Questions:
- Are you trying to earn salvation by doing good works?
- Are you thinking that you have done more good works than bad and thus, will be saved?
- Have you put faith in Jesus alone for salvation?