Romans 10:8
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that the "word of faith" isn't some distant, hidden secret but is immediately accessible, already "in your mouth and in your heart." This emphasizes that the message of salvation through Christ isn't something you have to search for in far-off lands or through strenuous effort; it's readily available through the proclamation and reception of the gospel.
Paul is contrasting the righteousness that comes from following Jewish law with the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. He's just shown how difficult it is to achieve righteousness through the law, and now he pivots to explain how accessible faith's righteousness is, drawing on Old Testament Scripture to make his point. This verse directly follows his explanation that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, highlighting that the message of faith is not a distant, unattainable concept.
Why do we search for something God has already placed within reach? Paul reveals that the core message of faith isn't hidden away, but remarkably close.
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30:14 to make a powerful point: the way to righteousness through faith isn't a distant, arduous journey. It's not something you have to ascend to heaven to find or descend into the abyss to retrieve.
Instead, the "word" – the message of God's saving work – is "near you." This accessibility is described in two ways:
Paul uses this ancient text to show that the gospel message, the "word of faith," is readily available to everyone, demanding belief and confession, not impossible effort.
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What exactly is this 'word' that's so close? Paul clarifies it's not just any message, but a specific proclamation that forms the very basis of our trust.
Paul identifies the 'word' as the 'word of faith.' This isn't just a neutral message; it's the very core of the gospel that believers are called to embrace.
Understand the original words
rhēma · Greek Noun
A divine message, doctrine, or proclamation; specifically, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul masterfully draws from the Old Testament, particularly Deuteronomy, to show that the 'word' of God, which the law declared to be near, is fulfilled in the even more accessible 'word of faith' proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus and Giving of the Law
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt and gives them the Mosaic Law at Mount Sinai, establishing a covenant relationship.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Moses' Ministry and Writings
Moses leads Israel and records the Law, including the passages in Deuteronomy that Paul later quotes regarding the nearness of God's word.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and leading to significant spiritual decline and assimilation.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling many Jews. This event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and their understanding of God's presence and covenant.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Many Jews are permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, but the memory of exile and the struggle to remain faithful to God's law in a foreign land continues.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified and resurrected, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and inaugurating the new covenant based on faith, not law observance.
c. AD 50s— this verse
Paul's Ministry and Writing of Romans
Paul establishes churches throughout the Roman Empire and writes his letter to the Romans, explaining the gospel of justification by faith in Christ.
This is the original Old Testament passage Paul is quoting and applying to the Gospel; it emphasizes that God's commands are not impossibly distant but readily accessible through obedience.
Psalm 19:4This psalm speaks of the 'voice' and 'utterances' of God's creation and word going out to all nations, echoing the idea that the message of God is not hidden but proclaimed.
John 1:1This verse declares 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,' highlighting the divine nature and presence of God's message, which is Christ Himself.
1 Corinthians 1:18This passage contrasts the 'message of the cross' which is 'foolishness' to those perishing but 'the power of God' to those being saved, showing how the proclaimed word is inherently powerful.
Hebrews 4:12This verse describes the Word of God as 'living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,' emphasizing its penetrating power and ability to transform the inner person, where it is to be received.
vincentRomans 10:8: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;"
The word is nigh theeSeptuagint, Very nigh thee is the word. The word is the whole subject-matter of the Gospel. See Romans 10:9. Moses used it of the law. See on Luke 1:37. The whole quotation in the Hebrew is as follows: "It (the commandment) is not in heaven, that ye should say, Who will ascend for us to heaven, and bring it to us, and make us hear it tha…
cambridgeRomans 10:8: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;"
8 . The word ] More precisely, the utterance ; i.e. of the terms of the covenant. Alike the elder and later Covenants were not obscure enigmas, but could be recited by human lips and assented to as “just and good” by human hearts. that is , &c.] See last note but one on Romans 10:6 . Here again St Paul sees in the words of Moses a divinely-meant adaptation t…
The verse highlights that the "word of faith" isn't some distant, hidden secret but is immediately accessible, already "in your mouth and in your heart." This emphasizes that the message of salvation through Christ isn't something you have to search for in far-off lands or through strenuous effort; it's readily available through the proclamation and reception of the gospel.
Paul is contrasting the righteousness that comes from following Jewish law with the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. He's just shown how difficult it is to achieve righteousness through the law, and now he pivots to explain how accessible faith's righteousness is, drawing on Old Testament Scripture to make his point. This verse directly follows his explanation that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, highlighting that the message of faith is not a distant, unattainable concept.
Paul is contrasting the righteousness that comes from following Jewish law with the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. He's just shown how difficult it is to achieve righteousness through the law, and now he pivots to explain how accessible faith's righteousness is, drawing on Old Testament Scripture to make his point. This verse directly follows his explanation that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, highlighting that the message of faith is not a distant, unattainable concept.
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);" — The verse highlights that the "word of faith" isn't some distant, hidden secret but is immediately accessible, already "in your mouth and in your heart." This emphasizes that the message of salvation…
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