Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from [the] law, “The one who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or ‘Who will go down 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 that we preach), 9 for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!” 16 But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” 17 Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 18 'But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for “Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5 to outline the Mosaic Law's approach to righteousness, which stipulates that adherence to the commandments leads to life. The righteousness of the Law demands complete and perfect observance (Gal. 3:12). In Deuteronomy, Moses tells Israel that they do not need to ascend to heaven or descend to the abyss to find God’s word; it is already close to them, in their hearts (Deut. 30:12-14). Paul applies this passage to Christ, who has already come down from heaven (incarnation) and risen from the dead (resurrection), emphasizing that salvation is accessible through faith in the living Christ. God’s revelation is near (Deut. 30:14). The Gospel message Paul preaches is that the word of salvation is within reach for all, available to anyone who confesses and believes. One has to openly profess that Jesus is Lord, acknowledging His divine authority over all, and believe in one’s heart in the resurrection of Jesus to be saved (Phil. 2:9-11). Romans 10:9 is widely understood by scholars and Church historians as an early Christian confession of faith.
Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16, emphasizing that salvation is universally available regardless of ethnicity (cf. Acts 10:34-35). The process of salvation requires hearing the Gospel message from those sent to proclaim the good news (Acts 8:31) and believing in Christ. Isaiah prophesied that not everyone will accept the Gospel message (Is. 53:1). Faith is not self-generated but based on hearing the Word of Christ from those charged with the beautiful mission of bringing the Gospel to the whole world. No one lacks the opportunity to hear the word and believe in Christ. The opportunity was offered to the house of Israel through the prophets and then through the Gospel, but they rejected both. The Gospel has been fully preached to everyone (Ps. 19:4), yet not everyone has accepted and received the good news.
Lord Jesus, Grant us the grace to believe in our hearts and confess with our lips that You have risen from the dead, bringing us new life. May we trust in Your mercy, proclaim Your truth, and share Your love with all we meet, that through faith in You, we may be saved. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
Comments