The Epistle of ROMANS
Chapter Ten
*** It is important to
note that Romans Chapters 9, 10 and 11 are a parenthetical statement (i.e. they are in parenthesis which is a
figure of speech indicating an EXPLANATION.)
1. Brethren,
my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Literal: (self-explanatory)
2. For I bear
them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Literal: New English Translation -- To their zeal for God
I can testify: but it is an ill-informed zeal.
This is the Figure of
Speech TAPEINOSIS (or demeaning) which is "a lessening of a thing in order
to increase it." The expression "not according to knowledge"
really means "with great blindness". So the second part of the
verse should be stated with a clearer understanding that Israel had a great
zeal for God but went about it with great blindness. They also did this when it
came to righteousness by trying to achieve it by works and not by believing.
They had the zeal and enthusiasm but went about it the wrong way -- with great
blindness.
3. For they
being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Literal: (self-explanatory)
This verse talks about the
subject of righteousness and how they tried to establish their own
righteousness by works. They were trying to establish their own
righteousness by the law which we are to no longer adhere to
according to what the Word of God teaches.
Galatians 3: 23,
24, 25 -- But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the
faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our
schoolmaster to bring us unto [until] Christ, that we might be justified
by faith [the faith of Jesus Christ].
4. For Christ
is the end of the law for
righteousness to every one that believeth.
Literal: For Christ is the end
of the law and he made righteousness available to everyone who believes.
5. For Moses
describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth
those things shall live by them.
Literal: New English Translation -- The man who does this shall gain life by it.
6. But the
righteousness which is of faith ['PISTIS'
in Greek which means 'BELIEVING] speaketh on this wise, Say not
in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ
down from above:)
Literal: But the righteousness
which is of believing says, Do not say to yourself, "Who can go up to
heaven?" (that is to bring Christ down from above:)
7. Or, Who
shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Literal: Or, who shall descend
into the deep or the abyss? (to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8. But what
saith it? The word is nigh thee, even
in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith [believing], which we
preach;
Literal: But what does it say?
'The Word is near you: it is upon your lips and in your heart. That is, the
Word of faith (believing) which we preach is near you.
9. 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.
Literal: That if thou shalt
confess (say it) with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ (as Lord in their life)
and shalt believe in thine heart (the innermost part of your being) that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (sozo - made whole).
10. For with
the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation.
Literal: For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness and salvation and with the heart and the mouth
confession is made unto righteousness and salvation.
11. For the
scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Literal: For the Scripture
saith -- Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (disappointed in his
expectation).
Isaiah 28:16b --
. . . . . . . "he that believeth shall not make haste" [get away for
fear of; be anxious or uneasy due to embarrassment or shame].
Another backup verse that
you should have remembered from your studies is back in Romans, Chapter Nine
(9).
Romans 9: 33 --
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence:
and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12. 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.
Literal: (self-explanatory)
Here we see that the
Church is being 'called out' from both Gentiles and Jews. "For there is no
difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile) because the same Lord is
Lord over all and is rich enough to take care of all of the needs of everyone
who calls upon Him." God's richness and wealth is limitless and He wants
to share it with you. Focus your mind, stay clear and concerned and never let
your guard down. Continue to follow your heart keeping God first and you will
see results. Don't faint in your mind and give up when the enemy throws a dart
at you. This is normal behavior for him. If you stay in fellowship, you can
dodge all those darts. Remember, what you confess is what you possess and also
don't ever forget that there is great peace in silence. Doing all of
this allows you to tap into that richness and wealth that God, your Father, has
and He wants to give to you.
13. For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Literal: (self-explanatory)
14. How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?
Literal: (self-explanatory)
15. And how
shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the
feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things!
Literal: And how shall they
preach except they be sent or commissioned? As it is written "How
beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad
tidings of good things!"
16. But they
have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our
report?
Literal: But they have not all
obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our preaching?
17. So then
faith [the
faith of Jesus Christ] cometh
by hearing, and hearing [cometh] by the word of God.
Literal: So then faith (the
believing of Jesus Christ) comes by hearing the Word of God and hearing also
comes by the Word of God.
Faith or believing comes
from no other source than the Word of God. This also applies to the natural man
so that he can hear and become born again if, by his own free will, he desires
to do so. This faith is the faith of Jesus Christ. When the man of body and
soul hears the Word of God and believes, he receives this faith. He cannot
receive any more faith -- now, he must simply believe and act ON
God's Word.
18. But I
say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and
their words unto the ends of the world.
Literal: But I say, can it be
that they never heard it? Yes, truly, or of course they did. Into all the earth
went out their voice and to ends of the habitable world went their words.
19. But I
say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them
that are no people, and by a
foolish nation I will anger you.
Literal: But I ask again, can
it be that Israel failed to recognize the message? In reply, I first cite Moses
who says: I will provoke you to jealousy through those not a nation, through a
nation without understanding, I will anger you.
20. But
Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was
made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
Literal: But Isaiah is still
more daring and says: I was found, he says, by those who were not looking for
me; I was clearly shown to those who never asked about me.
21. But to
Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a
disobedient and gainsaying people.
Literal: But to Israel he says:
All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying
(contradicting) people -- unruly and defiant.
Isaiah 65: 1, 2
-- I am sought of them that asked
not for me; I am found of them
that sought me not: I said, Behold
me, behold me, unto a nation that was
not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious
people, which walketh in a way that was
not good, after their own thoughts;
The rest of the chapter
goes on to explain more of the characteristics of these people. You should
begin to understand that Israel rejected Christ and it was the Gentiles who
accepted Christ by believing and not by works. Many of the
Israelites were disobedient and defiant. God made salvation available to all
believers and still does today because He
is not a respecter of persons, but of conditions only. He gives man the free will choice
to believe His Word or not to believe. The latter is the way of death -- the
former is the WAY OF LIFE. Which do you choose?
Romans 8: 6 -- For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded
is life and peace.
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