Romans 10:8-10
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); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The surprising thing here is how Paul applies Old Testament words about the law to the gospel. He shows that the very accessibility Moses described for God's command is now true for God's message of salvation through faith in Christ. This means the good news isn't a distant, hard-to-find secret, but something intimately available to everyone.
Paul is contrasting the difficult, works-based righteousness of the Law with the accessible, faith-based righteousness found in Christ. He quotes Deuteronomy to show that God's command isn't impossibly far off, but rather something that should be deeply ingrained. This verse, therefore, serves to explain that the "word of faith" the apostles preach is not a distant or hidden secret, but a readily available message that is meant to be embraced in both heart and speech.
Does finding God feel like an impossible journey? Does His message seem hidden away, requiring you to scale mountains or cross oceans to discover it?
Paul, quoting from Deuteronomy, confronts this very idea head-on. He contrasts the impossible efforts of trying to earn righteousness through the law with the accessibility of God's message through faith. The "word" isn't some distant, esoteric knowledge. It's right here:
Accessible and Present
Think about it: the commands and promises of God, when they were given through Moses, were meant to be deeply ingrained – spoken, meditated upon, and lived out. Paul shows that the word of faith – the gospel message about Christ – is no different. It hasn't been hidden away but is made incredibly near to us.
The Gospel's Proximity
Christ's descent to earth and His resurrection mean that salvation is not a quest for the unreachable. It's a message proclaimed, available for all to hear and embrace. The gospel isn't waiting in some far-off land; it's been brought to your doorstep, to your very ears and heart.
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What does it mean for God's word to be 'in your mouth' and 'in your heart'? Are these just poetic phrases, or do they reveal something vital about living by faith?
Paul uses these phrases, originally from Deuteronomy, to describe the nature of the "word of faith" – the gospel message. This isn't just abstract theology; it’s meant to be lived out.
The Confession of the Mouth
Having the word 'in your mouth' speaks to confession. It means publicly acknowledging and proclaiming your belief in Jesus Christ. It's moving from a private thought to a public declaration, testifying to what God has done.
The Belief of the Heart
Simultaneously, the word is 'in your heart.' This signifies genuine, internal belief and trust. It's not just saying the words, but truly embracing the truth of the gospel, allowing it to shape your inner being. This inner conviction is the source from which outward confession flows.
Understand the original words
rhēma · Greek Noun
A divine message, doctrine, or proclamation; specifically, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
homologeō · Greek Verb
To acknowledge, profess, or publicly declare a truth, specifically the lordship of Jesus Christ.
kyrios · Greek Noun
One who possesses absolute authority, power, and sovereignty; a title belonging to God and applied to Jesus as the resurrected Ruler.
sōzō · Greek Verb
To be rescued from divine judgment, sin, and death, and restored to eternal life with God.
dikaioō · Greek Verb
To be declared righteous or innocent before God's judgment seat; a legal verdict of acquittal based on faith.
Paul applies words from Deuteronomy, originally about the Law's accessibility, to the Gospel. He emphasizes that salvation through faith in Christ is not a distant, difficult pursuit but a message readily available, right 'in your mouth and in your heart' through the proclamation of the apostles.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt, marking a pivotal moment of God's deliverance and the establishment of His covenant with them.
c. 1400 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God delivers the Ten Commandments and the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing the covenant and outlining the path of obedience for Israel.
c. 622 BC
Discovery of the Book of the Law
During repairs to the Temple in Jerusalem, the high priest Hilkiah discovers a scroll of the Law (likely Deuteronomy), leading to religious reforms under King Josiah.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile many Israelites, plunging the nation into despair and questioning God's promises.
c. 450 BC
Return from Exile and Rebuilding
Following the Babylonian exile, some Israelites return to Jerusalem, rebuild the Temple, and re-establish their community, facing challenges and seeking to live faithfully.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry, Death, and Resurrection
Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God, inaugurating a new covenant through His atoning death and triumphant resurrection.
c. AD 48-55— this verse
Apostolic Preaching of the Gospel
The apostles, including Paul, powerfully proclaim the message of salvation through faith in Christ's atoning work and resurrection across the Roman Empire.
This is the original passage Paul is quoting from, where Moses describes God's commandment not as something distant and unattainable, but as something readily available in their speech and hearts.
Psalm 19:4This Psalm speaks of God's 'line' (or voice/sound) going out to all the earth and their words to the end of the world, echoing the idea that God's message is not hidden but universally accessible.
Romans 10:5This verse sets up the contrast, describing the righteousness of the law which requires perfect performance, highlighting why the 'word of faith' is so different and accessible.
Romans 10:14This verse directly follows, asking how people can hear without someone proclaiming, emphasizing that the 'word' being near implies it must also be preached.
Colossians 1:23This passage describes the gospel as having been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, reinforcing the idea that the 'word of faith' is not a secret to be found but a message to be heard.
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 surprising thing here is how Paul applies Old Testament words about the law to the gospel. He shows that the very accessibility Moses described for God's command is now true for God's message of salvation through faith in Christ. This means the good news isn't a distant, hard-to-find secret, but something intimately available to everyone.
Paul is contrasting the difficult, works-based righteousness of the Law with the accessible, faith-based righteousness found in Christ. He quotes Deuteronomy to show that God's command isn't impossibly far off, but rather something that should be deeply ingrained. This verse, therefore, serves to explain that the "word of faith" the apostles preach is not a distant or hidden secret, but a readily available message that is meant to be embraced in both heart and speech.
Paul is contrasting the difficult, works-based righteousness of the Law with the accessible, faith-based righteousness found in Christ. He quotes Deuteronomy to show that God's command isn't impossibly far off, but rather something that should be deeply ingrained. This verse, therefore, serves to explain that the "word of faith" the apostles preach is not a distant or hidden secret, but a readily available message that is meant to be embraced in both heart and speech.
"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); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the…" — The surprising thing here is how Paul applies Old Testament words about the law to the gospel. He shows that the very accessibility Moses described for God's command is now true for God's message…
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