Romans - Chapter 10
10:1-21 Evangelism is important
10:1-5 Error is exposed
We should not forget that the apostle's purpose in writing to the church in Rome was to give a clear explanation of the gospel in order that it might be more strongly proclaimed. Paul speaks here with great emotion concerning Israel. He makes a double point that the task of the evangelist is not only to point out to people the right way to go but also to explain that they are already headed in the wrong direction. Because people generally are not pleased with hearing that they are wrong, great care must be taken in pointing out error. Paul allows three points in this matter:
He is clearly concerned about the people themselves. He loves Israel.
There is no trace of superiority in his writing, He humbly hopes for them.
He fully understands the people he is writing about. He grew up among them.
Paul says here that although they are enthusiastic and sincere, those are not enough. Israel is sincere but sincerely wrong. The error inside Israel is that they are fundamentally ignorant of God's righteousness and how it is extended to mankind.
They have been well informed for many years by the Lord's prophets but they persist in their own self righteousness. They try to maintain and keep the law and they are perishing spiritually because the law is already fulfilled in Jesus Christ who was given to them exactly for that reason. However, the large majority of them remained in unbelief toward the Messiah.
10:6-13 Truth is exposed.
Paul continues to illustrate both the impossibility of justification through keeping the law and the possibility of being blessed through that which God has so lovingly given them. Paul uses the farewell speech of Moses to help them understand that they can find the spirit of his law in their hearts and mouths by serving the one the Lord has sent.
His use of the words of Moses explains that we do not have to ascend up to heaven at some final resurrection day to gain salvation. Lord Jesus has come down to dwell among us to bring that salvation as God's gift. All they had to do is to believe in their hearts and confess with their mouth, and salvation is theirs. This message seemed so simple as to be seen as simplistic and so free as to be insulting. They could not grasp the definition of faith is first and foremost a heart belief in the reality of the death and resurrection of Christ. The basis of conviction comes from the clear statement in verse eleven” “Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed”.
When the fulfillment of the law is seen as the basis of justification and forgiveness, only those who know the law may hope to be saved. Faith overcomes all these limitations and makes salvation possible for all people. This means there is no distinction between the Jew and Greek (Gentiles). This concept was one the Jews were not willing to accept even though the prophet Joel had taught it hundreds of years before when he said, “... whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.
10:14-15 Faith is expressed.
Now Paul comes to the heart of his teaching, which is how the faith message is conveyed to others. He asks how anyone can possibly call upon the Lord for His promised salvation without knowing and believing the promise? How can anyone come to this belief without being told what is so wonderfully available? How can people hear without someone telling them? How can people be told unless there are those who are sent to tell?
The gospel is available to the whole race of mankind, but someone must tell others who do not know. This is the main factor needed to spread the gospel.
10:16-21 Gospel witness is needed.
To his own people, the Jews, who are upset at his ministry and unhappy by his message of God's grace to the Gentiles, Paul now seeks to convince by telling his readers to come and join his efforts to share this gospel of salvation with those who have never heard it.
Here is a message as strong today as it was then.
The church cannot, in the light of Christ's sacrifice and the Father's purpose, afford to misunderstand the importance of evangelism. The church today must not repeat the fatal error of the chosen people.
