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Key Text: Romans 10
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Introduction
Can anyone be saved?
How does a person receive eternal life?
Is salvation earned by good works, religious rituals, or moral living?
Romans 10 answers these questions with wonderful clarity. It stands as one of the clearest presentations of the Gospel in all of Scripture.
Following Romans 9, where Paul emphasized God’s sovereign purpose, Romans 10 highlights humanity’s responsibility to respond to God’s gracious invitation. Paul once again expresses his deep love for Israel while explaining that righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
The message is simple, powerful, and life-changing:
Salvation is available to everyone who believes.
Paul’s Desire for Israel’s Salvation (Romans 10:1–4)
Paul begins with a heartfelt prayer.
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
Even after describing Israel’s rejection of Christ in chapter 9, Paul had not given up on his people.
His response was not anger.
It was prayer.
Zeal Without Knowledge
Paul says Israel had:
“A zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”
They were sincere, religious, and devoted.
But sincerity alone cannot save.
Many people today are deeply committed to religion, yet they have never trusted Jesus Christ as Savior.
Being sincere is not enough.
We must believe the truth.
Christ Is the End of the Law
Paul declares:
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Jesus fulfilled everything the Law pointed toward.
The Law showed us our need.
Christ provided the solution.
No one becomes righteous by perfectly keeping God’s commandments.
We become righteous by trusting the One who fulfilled them.
Righteousness Comes by Faith (Romans 10:5–13)
Paul contrasts two approaches.
Righteousness by Works
Trying to earn salvation through perfect obedience.
No one succeeds.
Righteousness by Faith
Receiving God’s gift through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul emphasizes that salvation is not difficult to obtain.
We do not have to climb into heaven.
We do not have to descend into the depths.
Christ has already come; Christ has already died; Christ has already risen.
The work has been completed.
Our responsibility is simply to believe.
Believe in Your Heart (Romans 10:9–10)
These verses are among the clearest Gospel invitations in Scripture.
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Notice two important truths.
Believe in Your Heart
Biblical faith is more than agreeing with facts.
It is personal trust in Jesus Christ.
Saving faith involves the whole person.
It is a commitment of the heart.
Confess Jesus as Lord
Confession is the outward expression of inward faith.
We do not confess Christ to earn salvation.
We confess Him because we have been saved.
Faith changes both our hearts and our lives.
Salvation Is for Everyone (Romans 10:11–13)
Paul now emphasizes the universal invitation of the Gospel.
“Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
And again:
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
What wonderful words!
Whosoever.
That includes:
- The religious.
- The skeptic.
- The rich.
- The poor.
- The young.
- The elderly.
- The moral.
- The broken.
No one is excluded from God’s invitation.
The Gospel is available to everyone who comes to Christ in faith.
The Importance of Sharing the Gospel (Romans 10:14–17)
Paul now asks a series of questions.
“How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?”
“How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”
“How shall they hear without a preacher?”
The logic is clear.
People cannot believe unless they hear.
They cannot hear unless someone tells them.
Beautiful Feet
Paul quotes Isaiah:
“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace.”
The beauty is not found in the feet themselves.
It is found in the message they carry.
Every believer has the privilege of sharing the greatest news the world has ever heard.
Faith Comes by Hearing
Paul summarizes evangelism with these familiar words:
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
God’s Word is the instrument He uses to bring people to faith.
This is why Scripture must always remain central in our witnessing.
Israel Heard but Did Not Believe (Romans 10:18–21)
Paul concludes by explaining that Israel’s unbelief was not caused by ignorance.
They had heard God’s message.
They had received His prophets.
Ultimately, they had rejected their Messiah.
Meanwhile, many Gentiles gladly received the Gospel.
Yet God had not abandoned Israel.
He remained patient.
Paul quotes Isaiah again:
“All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”
What a picture of God’s love!
Even in rejection, God continues extending His invitation.
What Romans 10 Means for Us Today
Romans 10 speaks directly to every generation.
Salvation Is Simple—but Not Cheap
We cannot earn eternal life.
Jesus paid the full price through His death and resurrection.
We receive His gift through faith.
Share the Gospel
Someone told you about Jesus.
Now you have the privilege of telling someone else.
The Gospel spreads one conversation at a time.
Pray for the Lost
Paul’s example reminds us that evangelism begins with prayer.
Ask God to soften hearts and open doors for the Gospel.
Trust God’s Word
Our responsibility is not to convince people.
Our responsibility is to faithfully share God’s truth.
The Holy Spirit brings conviction.
God’s Word accomplishes His purposes.
Living Romans 10
Ask yourself these questions this week:
- Have I personally trusted Jesus Christ for salvation?
- Am I depending on Christ alone rather than my own goodness?
- Who in my life needs to hear the Gospel?
- Am I praying regularly for those who do not know Christ?
- How can I boldly share God’s Word this week?
The greatest gift we can give another person is the message of Jesus Christ.
Final Thoughts
Romans 10 reminds us that the Gospel is both wonderfully simple and gloriously available.
Salvation is not reserved for a select few.
It is offered to whosoever believes.
Jesus has already done everything necessary for our redemption.
Our response is to believe with our hearts, confess Him as Lord, and faithfully proclaim His message to others.
Paul’s burden for Israel becomes our burden for our families, neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
The world still needs to hear the Good News.
May we be among those whose “beautiful feet” carry the message of Christ wherever God sends us.
What’s It Mean?
Romans 10 teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ rather than through human effort or religious works. Anyone who believes in Christ and calls upon Him as Lord will be saved. Because faith comes through hearing God’s Word, believers have the joyful responsibility of sharing the Gospel with others. God’s invitation remains open to all who will receive His Son.
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Want to do a deeper dive in the study of Romans? Get my book, Romans: The Glory of the Gospel and the Obedience of Faith, by making your choice of platforms below:
Dr. Alan Holden has served in pastoral ministry for more than 35 years, preaching and teaching the Bible in churches across the United States. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through What’s It Mean?, he seeks to help readers understand the meaning of Scripture and grow in their walk with Christ. He is currently the pastor of Lake Saunders Baptist Church in Tavares, FL.