Romans 10 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
In Romans 10, Paul continues his stress on God’s righteousness reckoned or declared to those who believe in His promises and specifically in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul views any attempt to gain, earn, or acquire God’s righteousness by good works as antithetical to the gospel.
God’s righteousness in this sense means a right standing before a holy God; His declaration that we are innocent. This is often called forensic justification. This is a standing that God gives those who place their faith in God/coming Messiah or in the N.T. in the Messiah who came, our Lord Jesus. Yet, this righteousness that is freely given is rejected by God’s chosen people the Jews. This is not a comment on a certain race of people but an observation about the spiritual condition of people who think they do not need God. Doug Moo in his commentary of section 9:30 through chapter 10 makes the following comments. “Paul uses three roughly parallel contrasts between two kinds of righteousness to make his point:
- “the righteousness based on faith” versus “the law of righteousness” (9:30–31);
- “the righteousness of God” versus “their own righteousness” (10:3);
- “the righteousness based on the law” versus “the righteousness based on faith” (10:5–6).”
The Gentile believerss, many of them former God-fearers, believed in the coming Messiah. They pursued a righteousness that God offered to anyone who believes. “Most Jews, on the other hand, are finding themselves outside this true people of God because they are wrongly preoccupied with the other, false, kind of righteousness. They have persisted in seeking to work out their relationship with God through the law (9:31; 10:3, 5) and the works it demands (9:32a; 10:5). They have therefore missed the climax of salvation history, “stumbling” over Jesus Christ (9:32b–33), the embodiment of God’s righteousness (10:3), climax of the law (10:4), and focus of God’s word of grace in the new age of redemptive history (10:6–8)” (Moo p. 639).
In 9:30-33, the Jews are pursuing a law of righteousness rather than a righteousness based on faith. By doing this, they are rejecting God’s grace for themselves. This is a theological problem for the 1st century Christians. Their critics were saying that if you Christians are preaching good news for the Jews whey are so few Jews turning to Christ? Paul answers that by describing the righteousness they are pursuing: the law of righteousness. They stumble over the gospel of Christ. This stumbling over Christ is what Isaiah 28:16 and Ps 118:22 foretold. The rejection of Christ is not a theological problem that needs to be answered but something the Old Testament predicted.
Then in 10:1, Paul believes that God chooses those who believe yet notice his tenderness and desire for their salvation. If you think this way, “A person who believes God is in absolute control or that any believers who believes in election will not be emotionally affected by the lost” then verse one is important for you to reflect on. Paul knows the Jewish unbelievers are holding on to “their own righteousness” which is not the righteousness God offers. He is emotionally concerned. He is not hard-hearted about this. Paul cares deeply about the lost.
In verse 3, we read a sad description of the lost. “Being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” Self is prominent and for self to be the goal, God must necessarily always raise no higher than second place. This is a honest evaluation of those apart from Christ. We really do think we are righteous apart from Christ. And Protestant, Catholics, and Orthodox all give unbelievers fodder for their scoffing and ridicule of the faith by our sin. Yet, Christ is the culmination of the law for righteousness. He is the end of the law since the law points to Him. He is all that the law promises.
Remember the law has three functions. One is a political function. It restrains sin and promises judgment on those who disobey. The law is a mirror that shows us our sinfulness and drives us to Christ. Third, the law teaches us on what pleases God. The law is from God. The law is good which is why Paul and our Lord read it, studied it, and quoted the law.
Finally in verses 5-6, Paul contrasts the “righteousness based on law” with the “righteousness based on faith.” These three different “righteousness” go to the core of the gospel and the heart of unbelief. And we are not to add to faith our works to earn God’s favor but our faith is never alone. Once we believe and are justified by God’s grace we respond in service to others.
We believe this is critical for you to believe. Paul loves this truth because this exalts the grace of God. Martin Luther thought justification by grace through faith was so very important. He said the church stands or falls on this doctrine. And all Luther did was study the Bible to discover that truth.
Dear Father, we need to discover over and over again this precious truth. We will never fully grasp the significance of the gospel. Help us not to get bored with what we “know” of the gospel. Push us by Your Spirit to keep digging, keep learning, keep striving to know the gospel. We admit, we know a tiny fraction of your grace in the gospel. In heaven, Your Son, the Lord Jesus will be worshipped and glorified by angels and saints. Prepare us for that glorious time by pouring out Your Spirit and send revival. In Christ’s name. Amen.