Romans 10:5-13
5 “For Moses writes of the righteousness that is based on the Law, that the person who performs them will live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Righteousness that is based on the Law: Paul is speaking of a hypothetical righteousness that is achieved through obedience to the law. According to the law, however, nobody is righteous (Romans 3:19-20).
Righteousness based on faith: Paul is speaking against the judgment of others. This would have been especially relevant to the Jew/Gentile tensions existent in the Roman church. Paul did not want Jews judging Gentiles and vice-versa because these judgments are ultimately based on works, not on Jesus. This brings Christ down because it’s not by grace through faith but law.
The word is near you: The Gospel is close for both the Jew and Gentile. It is close for the Jews because it has been testified about in the Old Testament. It is close to the Gentiles because they are now God’s elect.
Confess with your mouth: This is an open invitation to all people to confess, or agree with God, about the Gospel of grace. Anyone, Jew and Gentile, who believes is saved. This is not about a work of the law-it is about believing in the finished work of Christ.
Whoever believes in Him: Paul is upholding the integrity of the Gospel here. Unlike the law, which leads to disappointment, the Gospel does not disappoint. If we’re disappointed with the Gospel it means we have blended Gospel and law in some way thereby nullifying grace.
No distinction: Jew and Gentile are on equal footing. Both groups are abounding in a grace that is never exhausted. This is Paul’s central message in Romans 9 and 10: The Gentiles have been included into the family of God (Romans 9:30). Just as there is no distinction to who fails to keep the law, there is no distinction to who is offered the Gospel. Jew and Gentile are both equally condemned under the law and equally chosen for salvation in Christ.
