Romans 10:1-13 is the Apostle Paul explaining although Israel needs the truth about Christ Jesus, to be saved; Israel had a zeal (fervent mind) for God, but it was not in agreement with scriptural knowledge, because Israel was ignorant of (does not understand) God’s righteousness (full of being right with God by faith in Christ Jesus), so Israel attempted to establish their own righteousness, by not submitting to God’s righteousness (being fully right with God through faith in Jesus Christ), who 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 says is Israel’s and our “wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification (holiness), and redemption”, and since Christ Jesus is “the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe, He deserves all glory, honor, praise, and worship.
Moses, in Leviticus 18:5, wrote about the righteousness, which is of the law, when he said, 5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the LORD (see Romans 10:5), which is saying, “When we obey God’s word, we shall also make obedience to God’s word a lifestyle”. An occasional obedience to God and His word is not sufficient for a part-time Christian life leading to eternal life in Christ Jesus, but full-time Christianity will.
The Apostle Paul though, in Romans 10:6-13, explains how “the righteousness of faith”, Moses writes about in Deuteronomy 30:11-14, does not ask “Who will ascend into heaven to bring (Christ Jesus) the understandable truth of God’s commandments to us”; “Who will cross the sea to bring (Christ Jesus) the understandable truth of God’s commandments to us”; “Who will ascend into the abyss (bottomless pit—Revelation 9:1-12; 20:1-10), to bring (Christ Jesus) the understandable truth of God’s commandments to us? Because Jesus, the resurrected Christ, the Living Word of God, is near us, in our heart (human spirit), and is our understanding of God’s written word that comes from our spirit (heart, innermost being—John 7:37-39) and out through our mouth, for Romans 10:10 says, we believe Christ Jesus is our righteousness, because 1 Corinthians 1:30 says He is; therefore, He is, and this is “the righteousness of faith”.
Romans 10:14-21 explains how Israel willingly rejected the Gospel (the Good News about Jesus, the resurrected Christ, being our righteousness (our being fully right with God through faith in Him), because they ironically tried to establish their own way to be righteous, by works of law, rather than through Jesus Christ, for Israel rejected Jesus Christ, God’s Truth (John 14:6; 6:43-45), even though Romans 10:18 is a quote from Psalm 19:1-6, 1 The HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the SUN, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Moses, in Deuteronomy 32:21-22 is from where Romans 10:19 is quoted, which says, 21 They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation (Gentiles); I will move them to anger by a foolish nation (Israel’s foolishness). 22 For a fire is kindled by my anger and shall burn to the lowest hell; it shall consume the earth with her increase and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Romans 10:20-21 is quoted from Isaiah 65:1-2, 1 “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My name. 2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to (in agreement with) their own thoughts; ….
These are serious accusations God spoke about the Israelites, and the same accusations God can make about us Gentiles; for like the Israelites, only a few Jews and Gentiles believe, obey, trust, and live in agreement with God’s plan and will for us, as Matthew 7:13-14 commands, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Time on earth is closing fast, so we should give everything about us to Christ Jesus, and live exclusively for Him and not for our selfish desires, plans, and will.
Jim Nabors
