Romans 10:5-7
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights the core principle of the Law: life is the promised reward for perfect obedience. What's often missed is that Paul isn't just quoting Moses; he's subtly showing how the Law, by its very promise of life through doing, ultimately points to our inability to achieve it, thus paving the way for faith in Christ.
Paul is arguing that true righteousness doesn't come from perfectly following the Law, but from faith in Christ. He's using Old Testament scripture to show that even Moses' writings point to this. He quotes Leviticus to demonstrate that the Law promises life for obedience, but then contrasts this with the gospel's message of righteousness through faith.
Ever felt like you just had to do something perfectly to earn favor? That's exactly what the Law, through Moses, lays out. But what kind of life does it promise?
Paul quotes Moses from Leviticus 18:5, stating that the righteousness of the law is based on doing. The verse clearly says, 'the person who does the commandments shall live by them.' This is a straightforward principle: obedience to the Law is presented as the condition for life.
A Standard Set High
This isn't about a 'good enough' effort. The Law, as described here, demands perfect adherence. It's a promise of life contingent on flawless performance. Think of it as a perfect scorecard – every single action, thought, and motive must align perfectly with God's commands.
The Goal and the Reality
The Law's intent, as Paul will explore further, was to reveal God's perfect standard and, by contrast, humanity's inability to meet it. This verse sets up the stark reality: life is promised to the doer, but as we'll see, no one can be the perfect doer.
When Moses spoke of 'life' as the reward for obeying the Law, did he mean a long life on earth, or something more profound?
The interpretation of 'life' in this context has been debated, but Paul understands it in its fullest sense. While earthly blessings and a long life in the promised land were certainly associated with obedience to the Law for ancient Israel, the ultimate promise points beyond temporal existence.
More Than Just Earthly Blessings
Scholars suggest that even in Moses' time, the promise of 'life' likely encompassed more than just a good earthly existence. Some Jewish interpretations at the time understood it to include eternal life.
Paul's Greater Perspective
Paul, however, is building an argument that contrasts the Law with the Gospel. He sees the Law's promise of 'life' as ultimately pointing to the eternal life that is fully realized in Christ. The Law's demand for perfect obedience, which no one could meet, ultimately serves to drive us to Christ, who fulfill it and offers His life to us.
Understand the original words
entolē · Greek Noun
Authoritative divine instructions or moral requirements; they represent God's will for conduct and highlight the need for obedience, which none can fulfill perfectly apart from grace.
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
The state or quality of being acceptable to God, involving a right relationship with Him based on Christ's atonement rather than human works.
pistis · Greek Noun
A firm conviction, trust, or reliance upon the person and work of Jesus Christ; it is the instrument through which one receives the gift of salvation.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Anointed One, the promised Messiah of Israel, who fulfills the Old Testament covenants and is the Savior of humanity.
Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5 to show that the Law, given after Israel's deliverance from Egypt and during their journey, promised life based on perfect obedience. The context of exile, however, underscores the Israelites' consistent failure to meet this condition, setting the stage for Paul's argument for righteousness by faith.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, initiating their journey to the Promised Land and the establishment of His covenant with them.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Mosaic Law to the Israelites, including the commandments that form the basis of righteousness by works.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquer and settle the land of Canaan, beginning their life under the Law in their own territory.
c. 1400 BC - 400 BC
Period of the Judges and Monarchy
Israel experiences cycles of obedience and disobedience, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining perfect adherence to the Law.
This is the direct source text Paul is quoting from, establishing that the Law itself presented life as the reward for perfect obedience.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14Paul draws from this passage later in Romans 10 to contrast the 'law' with the 'word of faith,' highlighting that the true path to righteousness is readily accessible through faith, not impossibly distant through works.
Galatians 3:12This passage directly quotes Leviticus 18:5 and explains that 'the law is not of faith, but 'The one who does them shall live by them,' underscoring that the Law demands perfect performance for life, which is why it cannot justify us.
Jeremiah 11:1-5Here, Jeremiah recounts God's covenant with Israel, where obedience to God's commands (the Law) was promised blessing and life, showing this concept of life through obedience was a theme understood throughout Israel's history.
Matthew 19:16-19When asked how to inherit eternal life, Jesus quotes similar commandments from the Law, implying that perfect obedience is the requirement, which Jesus then subtly reveals is an impossible standard for humans to achieve on their own.
cambridgeRomans 10:5: "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
5 . For ] The connexion is that the Law led up to Christ both by prescribing a condemnatory standard as its own, and by mysteriously suggesting the nearness and freeness of the Gospel. describeth ] Lit. writeth . That the man , &c.] Leviticus 18:5 . Cp. Deuteronomy 27:26 ; Jeremiah 11:1-10 ; and, as a commentary, Galatians 3:10-13 , and the rest of that chapter.
meyerRomans 10:5: "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Romans 10:5 . Now follows, as far as Romans 10:10 , the proof of Romans 10:4 , and that from Moses himself . γράφει τὴν δικ .] writes concerning righteousness , John 1:46 ; Hermann, ad Eur. Phoen . 574. As to the use of the present tense, comp. the frequent λέγει in scriptural citations. The passage introduced by the recitative ὅτι is Leviticus 18:5 , almost exact…
This verse highlights the core principle of the Law: life is the promised reward for perfect obedience. What's often missed is that Paul isn't just quoting Moses; he's subtly showing how the Law, by its very promise of life through doing, ultimately points to our inability to achieve it, thus paving the way for faith in Christ.
Paul is arguing that true righteousness doesn't come from perfectly following the Law, but from faith in Christ. He's using Old Testament scripture to show that even Moses' writings point to this. He quotes Leviticus to demonstrate that the Law promises life for obedience, but then contrasts this with the gospel's message of righteousness through faith.
Paul is arguing that true righteousness doesn't come from perfectly following the Law, but from faith in Christ. He's using Old Testament scripture to show that even Moses' writings point to this. He quotes Leviticus to demonstrate that the Law promises life for obedience, but then contrasts this with the gospel's message of righteousness through faith.
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kardia · Greek Noun
In this context, the deep, inner self where human will, volition, intellect, and spiritual conviction reside.
abyssos · Greek Noun
The deep, dark, or unfathomable place; often associated with the realm of the dead or the place of judgment.
c. 970 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south), leading to further religious and political instability.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, and many of its people are exiled, demonstrating the consequences of disobedience.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah is conquered by the Babylonians, Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed, and the people are exiled. This marks a profound failure to live by the Law.
"For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is…" — This verse highlights the core principle of the Law: life is the promised reward for perfect obedience. What's often missed is that Paul isn't just quoting Moses; he's subtly showing how the Law, by…
