Romans 9:33–10:15

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR
Romans 9:33–10:15
After his declaration of God’s love (Rom. 8:31–39), Paul relates his anguish over the unbelief of his fellow Jews (Rom. 9:1–5). Thus, as was the case at the beginning of this Epistle in Romans 1:16–17, Paul is explaining the gospel’s meaning for Jews and Gentiles here in Romans 9–11, too. It is here Paul confronts the question of how Jewish unbelief fits in God’s plans. This is an important question because as Paul recounts, God has worked through the Jews in human history and “from them, by physical descent, came the Messiah, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen” (Rom. 9:5).

The Stumbling Stone (9:33)
In tackling the question of Jewish unbelief in God’s plan, Paul ultimately appeals to God’s sovereignty. In the past, God has made choices based on grace (Rom. 9:6–18). Likewise God now sees fit to save Jews and Gentiles by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 9:19–29). This means one is misunderstanding God’s plan if one believes God is still working primarily through the law. The law shows that all are under sin (Rom. 3:9–20). To see the law as God’s primary means in the present time is to pursue righteousness as if it were still based on the law’s works. In light of Christ’s coming, such a pursuit is mistaken. If one continues on this path, then one has tripped over God’s stumbling stone, Christ (Rom. 9:30–33).

The Deal About Zeal (10:1–3)
Paul’s argument in Romans 9:30–10:4 is similar to his point in Romans 3:27–31. There Paul argues that salvation could come through the law if God were only the Jews’ God. If God is the God of Jews and Gentiles, then God will save in a way that is not unique to Jews. The one God saves everyone in the same way — by grace through faith in Christ (Rom. 3:29–31). Likewise, here in Romans 10, Paul says those who continue to pursue righteousness by the law have a zeal for God but it is not informed by what God has done in Christ. In God’s plan, Christ is now the end of the law so that righteousness can be available to everyone who believes (Rom. 10:3–4).

The Message of Faith (10:4–13)
As another indication of his primary concern, Paul says again, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile since the same Lord is rich to all who call on Him” (12). In this statement, the gospel’s greatness is shown in at least two respects. First, it removes any distinctions between human beings. Second, it is available in the simplest terms — by faith. This belief only requires a corresponding confession. As Paul puts it, “This is the message of faith that we proclaim: if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (8–9).

The Necessity of Evangelism (10:14–15)
Salvation is available by grace through faith in Christ. Yet this raises another question. How can people believe in One of whom they have not heard? In order for unbelievers to profess faith, the gospel of Christ must be proclaimed to them. Some believers must send the believers who proclaim it. This was true in Paul’s day as is evident in Paul’s desire to be supported by the church at Rome (Rom. 15:22–29). This is also true in our day. We must proclaim the gospel to those around us, and we must support those who proclaim it.

In light of what Paul had explained about the gospel for Jews and Gentiles, it was all too easy for Gentiles to become boastful over Jews. In fact, Paul warns, “Do not be arrogant, but be afraid” (Rom. 11:20). Unfortunately Christians since Paul’s time have too often not heeded this warning. As believers, we must make ourselves familiar with the ways in which sinful pride has marked Christian evangelism in the past. In doing so, let us learn to focus on the gospel’s essentials instead of our own cultural preferences. Again Paul is instructive: “I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, that I may become a partner in its benefits” (1 Cor. 9:22–23).