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Romans 10: The Word of Faith
Romans · Doctrinal study

Romans 10: The Word of Faith

Why sincere Israel missed God's righteousness, how near the word of faith is, and why the church must send preachers to those who have not heard.

Theologica Editorial16 min read
Introduction

Near Enough to Believe

Romans 9 ended with a stone laid in Sion and an open door: whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (Romans 9:33). Paul had just said why Israel stumbled. She sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law (Romans 9:32). Romans 10 explains that stumbling and then throws the door wide open.

If chapter 9 showed God's freedom, chapter 10 shows man's responsibility and God's open hands. The man who wrote about hardening begins this chapter in prayer for the hardened, and ends it with God holding out His hands to them All day long. Here are the steps of the chapter.

  • 10:1-4. Paul prays for Israel. She has zeal without knowledge, and she has missed Christ, the end of the law for righteousness.
  • 10:5-8. Moses himself shows the difference between doing and believing. The word of faith is near.
  • 10:9-13. Believe in the heart, confess Jesus as Lord, and call on Him. Whosoever means whosoever.
  • 10:14-17. No one calls without believing, believes without hearing, or hears without a preacher. So God sends.
  • 10:18-21. Israel has heard. Her unbelief is her own, and God's hands are still stretched out.
The Romans Road Runs Through Here

Many believers learned to share the Gospel from Romans 10:9–13. This chapter shows that those verses sit inside a larger argument about Israel, about grace, and about missions. Read it whole, and you will share it better. See How to Share the Gospel.

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Further reading

For Deeper Study

  • Romans Verse by VerseAmazon William R. NewellDispensational. A warm exposition by a Moody Bible Institute teacher, clear on grace and the believer's position in Christ.
  • The Message of RomansAmazon John StottEvangelical Anglican. A clear, readable exposition in The Bible Speaks Today series.
  • So Great SalvationAmazon Charles C. RyrieDispensational. A gentle case for salvation by faith alone in the lordship debate, written in answer to John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus.
  • Let the Nations Be Glad!Amazon John PiperReformed Baptist. A stirring book on missions and the supremacy of God among the nations, with a chapter on whether people must hear of Christ to be saved. We differ with Piper on election.
  • Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.

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Romans 9: God's Purpose and Israel's Stumbling

God's word to Israel has not failed: His promises have always run through the line He chose by His call, not by birth or works, His mercy and His hardening are always righteous, and Israel stumbled because she sought righteousness by works and not by faith.

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