Understanding Romans 10
This was written by a pastor friend of mine. He shares an important understanding.
Pastor Jay Jones of Kentwood, Mi
Does Romans chapter 10 teach that people are saved by simply believing in Jesus and confessing with their mouth?
This is a long read, but if you’re interested in the answer it will be worth it!
First, let’s take a look at that passage in full.
Romans 10:9-13 “…because 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 with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9–13 must be understood in its proper context within the broader framework of scripture. Here’s an explanation:
1. The Context of Romans 10:
Paul is writing to believers in Rome—people who have already obeyed the full gospel message of repentance, water baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Romans 1:7 identifies his audience as “beloved of God, called to be saints.” Since Paul was addressing people who were already saved, Romans 10:9–13 is not a step-by-step guide for initial salvation but a reinforcement of key principles about faith and confession.
Paul’s intent in Romans 10 is to address the tension between Jews and Gentiles regarding righteousness by the Law versus righteousness by faith. The Jews were struggling to accept that righteousness could not be achieved by the works of the Mosaic Law but only through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is emphasizing that salvation is available to everyone—Jew and Gentile alike—through faith in Jesus, without the need for adherence to the Law of Moses.
2. Why Didn’t Paul Include the Full Picture Here?
Paul wasn’t trying to provide a comprehensive guide to salvation in this passage. Instead, he was focusing on a specific aspect of salvation: the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ and the confession of that faith, especially to a Jewish audience. The Jews were accustomed to relying on the Law for righteousness, and Paul is redirecting them to the centrality of faith in Jesus.
It’s important to note that Paul consistently teaches the full gospel elsewhere, including in Acts 19:1-6, where he personally ensures that believers are baptized in Jesus’ name and receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Romans 6 also emphasizes the necessity of baptism as a participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Paul’s teaching in Romans 10 should not be taken as a complete doctrine of salvation, as doing so would contradict the full teachings of scripture and Paul’s own actions recorded in Acts. Rather, it emphasizes faith as the foundation of salvation, which naturally leads to obedience to the gospel (Romans 1:5, Romans 16:26).
3. The Full Apostolic Perspective:
Paul’s mention of confession and belief here complements, rather than replaces, the broader requirements for salvation. Here’s why:
- Faith and confession are foundational. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Confession of Jesus as Lord and belief in His resurrection are essential, but they are the beginning of obedience, not the entirety of salvation.
- Paul assumes his audience knows the rest of the gospel. The Roman church was established by people who had already obeyed the message preached in Acts 2:38. Paul is addressing a specific issue (faith versus works of the Law), not re-teaching the plan of salvation.
- The full gospel is consistent throughout scripture. Acts 2:38 provides the clearest step-by-step description of salvation, and Paul reinforces this message in other passages (Acts 19:1-6, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 6:11).
4. Why Did Paul Focus on Faith in This Passage?
Paul’s focus in Romans 10 is to show that salvation is accessible to all—Jew and Gentile—through faith in Jesus. The Jews believed they needed to keep the Law of Moses to be justified, and Gentiles felt excluded from God’s promises. Paul is emphasizing the universality of the gospel and the inclusivity of salvation:
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:12-13).
Paul’s words do not nullify the requirements of repentance, baptism, and Spirit-infilling but highlight the critical role of faith as the starting point.
Here’s the conclusion of the matter…
Romans 10:9–13 emphasizes faith and confession as foundational to salvation but is not intended to outline the full gospel. Paul wrote to believers who had already obeyed the plan of salvation, reinforcing that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not works of the Law. Understanding this passage in harmony with the rest of scripture reveals that the full plan of salvation includes repentance, water baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Spirit, as demonstrated in Acts and taught by Paul himself.