Romans 10:9

Commentary on Romans 10:9

1. The Text

Romans 10:9 (King James Version):
“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.”

This single verse stands as one of the clearest and most concise summaries of the gospel call in all of Scripture. It sits within the broader argument of Romans chapter 10, where the Apostle Paul explains the righteousness that comes by faith, in contrast to the righteousness that Israel sought through the law.

2. Exegetical Commentary

2.1 The Context of Romans Chapter 10

Paul begins Romans chapter 10[i] with a pastoral ache for Israel’s salvation:

Romans 10:1 (King James Version):
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”

Israel had zeal, but not according to knowledge. They pursued righteousness through the law rather than through faith in Christ.

Romans 10:3 (King James Version):
“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.”

Paul then contrasts the righteousness of the law with the righteousness of faith. The righteousness of faith does not require heroic spiritual feats; it receives Christ as he is offered in the gospel.

This leads directly to Romans 10:9, where Paul explains the simplicity and sufficiency of faith in Christ.

2.2 “Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus”

To confess means to openly acknowledge, declare, and align oneself with Jesus as Lord. This is not a mere formula or ritual. It is a public declaration that Jesus is Lord over all creation and Lord over one’s own life.

The confession is rooted in the Old Testament understanding of the Lordship of God. Paul later quotes:

Romans 10:13 (King James Version):
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

This is drawn from Joel 2:32, where “the Lord” refers to Yahweh. Paul applies this divine title to Jesus, affirming his full deity.

Confession is not a work that earns salvation. Rather, it is the outward expression of inward faith. It is the fruit, not the root, of salvation.

2.3 “Believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead”

Biblical belief is not mere intellectual agreement. It is trust, reliance, and wholehearted acceptance of the truth of Christ’s resurrection.

The resurrection is central to the gospel. Without it, there is no salvation, no forgiveness, and no hope.

Paul writes earlier:

Romans 4:25 (King James Version):
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

To believe in the resurrection is to believe that Jesus’ death truly accomplished atonement and that God vindicated him as the righteous Son.

Belief “in the heart” means belief that shapes the whole person—affections, will, and life direction.

2.4 “Thou shalt be saved”

This is a promise, not a possibility. Salvation is God’s gracious act of delivering sinners from sin, death, and judgment[ii], and bringing them into eternal life through Christ.

Paul reinforces this promise:

Romans 10:11 (King James Version):
“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

And again:

Romans 10:12 (King James Version):
“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.”

Salvation is offered freely to all who believe, regardless of background, ethnicity, or past sin.

3. Theological Teaching

3.1 Salvation by Grace Through Faith Alone

Romans 10:9 reinforces the Christian conviction that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Confession and belief are not meritorious works but the means by which we receive Christ.

3.2 The Lordship of Christ

To confess Jesus as Lord is to acknowledge his divine authority. The Christian tradition rightly emphasises that we cannot receive Christ as Saviour while rejecting him as Lord.

3.3 The Centrality of the Resurrection

The resurrection is not optional. It is the foundation of Christian faith. Without it, there is no gospel to believe.

3.4 The Universality of the Gospel Call

Romans 10 repeatedly emphasises the word “whosoever.” The gospel is for all people. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

4. Meditation Guide

Use the following steps to meditate on Romans 10:9.

4.1 Reflect on Christ’s Lordship

Ask yourself:

• Do I openly confess Jesus as Lord in my daily life?
• Are there areas of my life where I resist his authority?

Pray for a heart that joyfully submits to Christ.

4.2 Consider the Resurrection

Meditate on the reality that Jesus is alive.

• What does his resurrection mean for your fears?
• How does it shape your hope?

Give thanks that Christ’s victory is your victory.

4.3 Rest in the Promise of Salvation

Let the words “thou shalt be saved” settle deeply into your soul.

• Are you trusting in Christ alone?
• Are you tempted to rely on your own performance?

Reaffirm your faith in the finished work of Jesus.

4.4 Pray for Others

Follow Paul’s example in Romans 10:1.
Pray for friends, family, and neighbours who do not yet know Christ.
Ask God to open their hearts to believe and confess Jesus as Lord.

5. Application to Modern Christian Living

• Live openly as a follower of Jesus. Confession is not just a one-time act; it is a lifelong posture.
• Hold firmly to the resurrection. In a world of uncertainty, Christ’s resurrection anchors our hope.
• Reject self-righteousness. Like Israel, we can easily slip into performance-based spirituality. Romans 10 calls us back to grace.
• Share the gospel with confidence. The promise of salvation is for “whosoever.” No one is beyond God’s reach.
• Cultivate a heart of prayer for the lost. Evangelism begins with intercession.

---

[i] Romans 10

King James Version

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

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.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into 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.)

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;

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.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, 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.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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?

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!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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.

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.

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.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

[ii] Legal spelling of judgment rather than judgement.