This leads the apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More, in the first part of chapter 10, to contrast the righteousness of the law with the righteousness of faith, and once again he speaks of his deep love and longing for his people. His prayer for them was that they might be saved. This is very clear proof that they were not saved. They had religion, they had zeal, they had the law—but they were not saved. Assuming wrongly that they were to establish their own righteousness by keeping the law, they tried to do so and utterly failed. And the very zeal with which they pursued this blinded them to the fact that ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More is the end of the law, and that the righteousness of God was available to them in Him.

How much better it is to have God’s righteousness than our own—for ours, at best, would only be human. Everyone who believes has ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More as their righteousness, as verse 4 tells us. And ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More is “the end of the law.” We believe the word endhere is used in the same way as in 2 Corinthians 3:13, where it means the object in view. The law was really given with ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More in view. It prepared the way for Him. If only Israel had been able to steadily look to the end of the law, they would have seen ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. It is true, of course, that once ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More came, all thought of reaching righteousness by law came to an end—but that is not the primary meaning of verse 4.

Next, a clear contrast is drawn between the righteousness of law and the righteousness of faith. The righteousness of the law demands worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More that match its commands and prohibitions. Words are not enough; worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More must be produced. If those worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More are produced, the person shall live by them. If they fail to produce them—and continue to fail—they shall die.

In contrast, the righteousness of faith does not demand worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More at all. It does not require us to go up into heaven to bring ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More down, for He has already come down. Nor does it require us to go down into the depths, as if to bring Him up from the dead, because He has already risen from the dead. In writing this, the apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More clearly had in mind Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 30:11-14. If you read that passage, you’ll see it. You’ll also notice that the wording of verse 8 in our chapter is shaped by verse 14 in that Deuteronomy passage. The word of the Gospel is sent by God to us. When received by us in faith, it becomes the “word of faith” in us—entering our hearts and coming out of our mouths.

In the past, God brought His commandment very near to Israel so they might do it. He has brought His word even nearer to us in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. Now it is not a word about what we ought to do, but about what ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More has done, and what God has done in raising ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More from the dead. On our side, this word demands only that we believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead and that we confess Him as Lord with our mouths. When heart and mouth match, there is real reality. True submission to Jesus as Lord brings salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More with it.

Notice the distinction in verse 10 between righteousness and salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More. Heart-faith in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More brings a person into right relationship with God—that is, righteousness. This is faith of the heart, not merely of the head or intellect. Real conviction of sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More produces a deep sense of need and, therefore, a heartfelt trust in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. That heartfelt faith God sees, and He counts that person as right with Himself. Then the person goes a step further and publicly (or at least openly) confesses ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More as Lord. This at once puts him outside the world-system that refuses the Lord. His ties with the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More are cut, and he steps into the blessedness of salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More.

“SalvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More” is a very big word, as we have seen before. If in our thoughts we limit it to simply “deliverance from hell"Place" prepared for the devil and his angels (demons) (Mt 25:41), but into which everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life will also be thrown (Rev... More,” we miss a good deal of what it means. The moment we believe, we are righteous before God; but until we openly take our stand under the Lordship of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More by confessing Him personally as Lord, we do not break free from slavery to the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. We cannot expect to experience the full power of His authority and help on our behalf. How much do we each know of a life of happy freedom in submission to the Lord and in occupation with His interests?

Of course, it is not for one moment supposed that someone can truly believe in Jesus and never confess Him as Lord with their mouth. That would be impossible if the faith is really the faith of the heart, since “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Verse 11 makes this very clear: the believer is not ashamed. This is quoted from Isaiah 28:16. The same verse is quoted at the end of chapter 9 and also in 1 Peter 2:6. The “make haste” of Isaiah becomes “ashamed” in Romans and “confounded” in Peter—a good example of how New Testament quotations broaden the Old Testament meaning. The one who believed Isaiah’s word would never have to run away in panic from judgment. Neither shall we. But more than that, we have One presented to us as Lord who fills us with confidence and in whom we glory. Who, really knowing Him, would be ashamed to confess Him?

Our salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More, then, is in calling on the name of the Lord, as verses 12 and 13 clearly say. There is a rich supply of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More and power in Him, and all of it is available to anyone who calls on Him, without distinction. Here we have the “no difference” of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More, just as in chapter 3 we had the “no difference” of guilt. Jesus is “Lord of all,” whether people call on Him or not. But the riches of His saving power are available only to those who do call on Him.

Do we call on Him? Certainly, we called on Him at our conversion, and we received salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More. But is it the regular habit of our hearts to call on Him in every need? We need a daily salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More, and a daily salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More is available as we call upon Him—a salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More from every spiritual danger. The Lord does not always deliver His saints from outward, physical dangers. Sometimes, He allows them to suffer very severely—as in the case of Stephen. But look at how mighty the spiritual salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More was that Stephen enjoyed even while his enemies were crushing his body. He gives us the finest possible example of spiritual salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More flowing from the Lord who is “Lord of all.”

How important, then, is the Gospel, in which ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More is presented as Lord for the obedience of faith. Verses 14 and 15 stress this. If people are to be saved, they must hear the Gospel, and God must send it. It all begins with Him. God sends the preacher. The preacher brings the message. People hear of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and believe in Him. Then they call upon the Lord and are saved.

But everything begins with God. Every true preacher is sent out by Him, and “beautiful are the feet” of those who go with that message. Paul quotes Isaiah 52, in which the prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More speaks of the coming day when good news of deliverance will reach Zion at the glorious coming of the Lord. Equally beautiful, though, are the feet of those who bring the good news of His coming in graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More and lowliness, and of all that He accomplished by it for our salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More.

The trouble is that not all have obeyed the Gospel, as Isaiah also indicated. Obedience is by faith. The word “report” occurs three times in this passage, though our English versions do not always show it clearly. Verse 17 could be translated, “So then, faith is by a report, and the report is by the word of God.” When the report reaches our ears, backed by the authority of God’s word, we believe it. Then we can say, like the Queen of Sheba, “It was a true report that I heard.”

So the report has gone out. It had gone out even by the time Paul wrote this letter. But the blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More was conditioned on the obedience of faith. As a nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More, Israel remained unbelieving, and the warning words of the prophets were in the process of being fulfilled.

In verse 1 of the chapter, Paul had expressed his heartfelt desire and prayer that they might be saved. In the closing verses, he sets out the sad facts of the case. They were a disobedient and contradicting people. The word “gainsaying” means “contradicting.” They kept saying “No” to everything God proposed and denying everything He asserted.

Yet God had endured them in long patience, stretching out His hands to them, as it were, in appeal. But now the time had come for a change in His ways. Israel had stumbled over ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, the stumbling-stone, and for the time being, they were set aside.