1 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.
This chapter begins much like the previous one. Paul sorrows for his kinsmen according to the flesh (Rom 9:1-3) and prays for their salvation, for they are seeking to be righteous by doing the works of the Law instead of seeking that righteousness which is of Faith (Rom 9:30-32). Their zeal for God had devolved into robotically adhering to rites, rules and ceremonies which were intended to be helps in seeking the God who gave them. The great stumblingstone of the Jews was that Rock of offence (Rom 9:33), Jesus Christ the Son of God, who Himself is the purpose and end of the Law (v4).
Verse three is the text for the Calvinist claim that all Man’s righteousness is to God as filthy rags and that the man who tries to live righteously is simply establishing his own worthless righteousness instead of trusting in Christ’s righteousness, which is supposedly imputed to the elect. In their theology, Man cannot do any good work, but God does it for him. The honest reader will notice immediately however, that the topic here is the unbelieving Jews, not the sincere God-seeker. The Apostle is showing that Christ has ended the Law in favor of Faith in Him. He has fulfilled the Law (see Mat 5:17), has taken away the vail of the Old Testament (2Cor 3:14) and has revealed that wonderful salvation which the prophets of old enquired and searched diligently to understand (1Pet 1:10). Sadly, Israel chose to be ignorant of God’s wonderful deeds in sending His Son.
The true righteousness of the Law is fulfilled by those in the New Covenant, those people of God who are walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh (Rom 8:4). The unbelieving Jews meanwhile, are ignorant of this saving righteousness and will not submit themselves to doing it (v3). They can only think of establishing their own righteousness by doing the works that the Law demands – works that can never save. For a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the Faith of Jesus Christ (Gal 2:16).
This ignorance on the part of the Jews was self-induced. Israel heard but was disobedient; she knew the Truth, but refused to accept it (Rom 10:18-21). While they had the key of knowledge in their hands, they would not see Christ in it. Jesus told them, Search the Scriptures…for they are they which testify of Me (John 5:39). This deliberate ignorance continues to characterize Jews today, for the vast majority openly scoff at the idea of salvation by faith in Christ.
Adam Clarke observes, “Where the law ends, Christ begins. The law ends with representative sacrifices; Christ begins with the real offering. The law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ; it cannot save, but it leaves us at His door, where alone salvation is to be found. Christ as an atoning sacrifice for sin, was the grand object of the whole sacrificial code of Moses; his passion and death were the fulfilment of its great object and design. Separate this sacrificial death of Christ from the law, and the law has no meaning, for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins…Therefore every Jew who rejected Christ rejected salvation, and that very salvation which the law witnessed and required, and which could not be had but through Christ alone.”
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;
Moses was the medium by which the righteousness which is of the Law came to Man, while Christ is the authority by which that Law was ended in order to award righteousness to every one that believeth (v4). The works of the Law have been abrogated in favor of Faith in Christ. The Law demanded righteous obedience to a complex and detailed system of worship and reverence such that it became his very life. The man who did so would live; the one who refused would die (Deut 30:15-16; Lev 18:5; Gal 3:12). The righteousness of Faith, on the other hand, demands allegiance to Christ (Rom 6:23). And while Moses taught that the word of the Law was near, accessible and understandable (Deut 30:12), the righteousness which is of Faith is even more readily available and understandable. Every mouth and heart can obtain it, whether Jew or Greek! However, they will never know unless they hear the Word, and that is the work of the preacher (v14-15). Yet Israel refused the Gospel they were so graciously offered, and a nation which did not know God has gained it (v18-21). This is the short summary of the chapter.
In a remarkable passage, Moses appealed to the children of Israel just before his death, imploring them to keep His commandments and statutes which are written in this Book of the Law…See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil…therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…for this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us…neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us…but the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it (Deut 30:10-20).
Today, to ascend into heaven or descend into the deep in search of God and truth would be to ignore Christ and His Word; that is, it would be asking Him to come back down from the heaven and teach us again. Or, as the Jews have done for the last 2000 years, continue to expect the Messiah to appear even though He has already come. We have the record of His life and death complete with the divine revelation of His mighty works. He has descended into the lower parts of the earth and He ascended into heaven. The word of Faith, or righteousness which is of Faith, is already before us, in our hearts and hands. It is nigh thee. See similar language in Psalms 139:7-8 and Proverbs 30:4.
Some have wondered at the Apostle’s quotes in verses 6-7, which do not exactly follow the words of Moses in Deut 30:12. However, notice Paul’s words: The righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise… He is not quoting Moses, but the man who lives in the Age of Grace. In other words, he uses Moses’ thought in a New Covenant application.
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.
Paul again uses Moses’ sermon to the Jews in a New Testament application: the Word is nigh thee, even in thy heart and in thy mouth. Salvation results when the heart believes the Word, and the mouth makes confession (v10). That is the beginning of a faith relationship with Christ. The power of the Gospel unto salvation is near at hand. Believe in your deepest heart that Jesus Christ died and rose again to deliver you from Satan and sin, and thou shalt be saved. See this principle in action in Acts 16:30-33. The Apostle’s hope is that Israel would understand this near Word of Faith, and yet if anything, Jews have only increased their rejections of Jesus Christ. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men (1Thes 2:14-15).
A mouth confession must precede baptism, which itself is a sign of salvation. The word confess (homologeo) carries the idea of verbally affirming a particular belief. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him (1John 4:15). Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God (Luke 12:8). In the Scripture, homologeo is used in contexts that demonstrate an on-going, active confession. The heroes of Faith, for example, lived and died without receiving the promises, but they were persuaded of them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb 11:13). Paul also encouraged Timothy to maintain the fight of faith, the good profession (homologeo), unto the end (1Tim 6:12).
Man believeth unto righteousness. In other words, his belief results in him being righteous. A person who lives in sin and unrighteousness does not possess the faith that saves. They profess (homologeo)to know God; but in works they deny Him (Titus 1:16). Belief and confession must be demonstrated and proven, or else they are worthless words. The devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil (1John 3:7-8).
Believe and confess. According to these verses, they are necessary actions for a person to be saved. Unfortunately, many evangelical groups run off with these two words in their simplest sense and leave the rest of the Bible behind. They organize evangelistic crusades and flash tent meetings in far-off cities to get people to “believe and confess,” and then return home with their counting ledgers filled with names of the newly saved. The Apostles never left the cities they went to evangelize without organizing churches to disciple those who believed and confessed. That’s because a single profession of belief in Christ is not enough to sustain the soul on that day when the secrets of men are revealed (Rom 2:16).
In all practicality, the term believe (pisteuo) unto righteousness (dikaiosune) is equal to the righteousness (dikaiosune) which is of faith (pistis). The latter term accents the full-grown fruit the Gospel produces in the person, while the former is focused on the beginning, the germination of the Word in the heart. This slight variance between the verb pisteuo and its nominal root pistis is not uncommon in the Scriptures. This is beautifully illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the Sower (Mat 13:1-23). See also verses 16-17.
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.
The Old Testament prophets testified of the future opening of the Kingdom unto all people on many occasions and in brilliant detail (see note Rom 9:8). The scribes and doctors of the Law however, had a different understanding of those prophecies. Taking verses like Isaiah 60:5, they believed the Gentiles would be converted to Judaism, instead of God changing Judaism to accept the Gentiles. The truth was there to be seen in verses like Isaiah 42:6, which speaks of a Messiah for the Gentiles, but even the disciples of Christ did not understand them.
The two present quotes are from Isaiah 28:16, which the Apostle cited earlier (Rom 9:33), and Joel 2:32. In both examples, salvation is offered to whosoever will, without distinction to genealogies. Such promises are especially beautiful to Gentile ears, in that for long years they were not a people (1Pet 2:10). Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely (Rev 22:17). See Rom 9:15.
The Word of Faith, which we preach (v8), is the Gospel of Jesus Christ offered unto all men. The Kingdom of New Covenant Israel is made up nations and kindreds from all peoples of the earth – all them that believe (Rom 3:22), all that call upon Him (v12). There is now no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Rom 1:16; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11), for there is no respect of persons with God (Rom 2:10-11).
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!
God has designed the foolishness of preaching as the primary method of evangelism (1Cor 1:21). He has entrusted to His people the Word of Faith in order to demonstrate the truth and power of the Gospel (1Cor 2:4). The earnest, honest preachers of righteousness must go forth rightly dividing the Word of Truth, for if man must believe with the heart (Rom 10:10), then that is where the Word must be planted. Faith in Christ is based upon certain truths that cannot be visibly seen (His resurrection, the forgiveness of sins, eternal life after death, etc). The preacher’s commission is to inform men of these things in such fashion that they will believe and confess the Name of Christ.
How beautiful to hear those glad tidings of the Gospel! The quote is from Isaiah 52:7, where the beautiful feet imply that these messengers came from afar, leaving home and loved ones for the sake of Christ and His Gospel. And how true it is! No sea has been too formidable, no mountain range too high, no threat of death too fearsome to stop the flood of missionaries that have obeyed from the heart Jesus’ words to His disciples: Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15; Mat 28:19). Many of these outstanding men and women have been forgotten on earth, but how beautiful they will be remembered in heaven! Not just by Christ, but by the souls that are there on account of their effort and sacrifice (Mark 10:28-31). Can there be any greater heavenly reward?
The Gospel of peace. In its deepest meaning, the message of the Gospel is how to find peace with God. See John 14:27.
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.
Many will hear the Gospel message but will not obey. Isaiah foretold of the Jews who refused to believe in Christ in spite of His amazing miracles and signs. The arm of the Lord was mightily revealed to them, but their blinded eyes and hardened hearts refused to be converted (see John 12:37-40). And that continues to be the overwhelming case of that wicked generation (Mat 12:45) down to the present day.
Hearing the Word demands of every person an important decision: believe or not believe. Believing leads to another decision: refuse the Truth, or by sincere confession accept it. These are the first steps of faith that result in salvation, but the remaining steps are equally important: the daily walk of doing the Truth and persevering in it unto the end. The true Faith that saves is hearing unto believing unto accepting unto doing and persevering. See note for Mat 14:31.
In the Greek, the verb believed (pisteuo) in verse 16 is the noun faith (pistis) in verse 17. We could translate it, “Lord, who hath come to faith by our report?” And that goes well with the Apostle’s affirmation, So then faith cometh by hearing (see note v9).
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.
What about Israel after the flesh? Well, if anyone heard the Gospel it was the Jews! Jesus dedicated His life to the Jews, saying He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mat 15:24). They refused to hear Him. So He sent out seventy disciples throughout all the land with miraculous powers to heal and cast out demons, but neither would they listen to them. And even after He had risen from the dead they would not believe the report. It is appropriate then, that Paul quotes the Psalmist as if saying, “Of course they heard! The sound of the Gospel went out into all Israel, and the Word was sent into the far corners of the land.”
Why then, did they not obey? Did they not understand the message? The Apostle doesn’t directly answer that question here, but will do so in the next chapter (see Rom 11:7-10; Acts 13:46). The Gospels are emphatic that Israel refused to believe because their hearts and minds were blinded to the truth, which Paul also shows in Romans 9:18. See my notes for Mat 13:10-16.
At the beginning of the Jewish religion, Moses foretold Israel’s terrible apostasy, saying that they would provoke Him to jealousy by worshiping strange gods and committing wicked abominations (Deut 32:16), until finally He would abhor them and hide His face from them and see what their end would be (Deut 32:19-20). In fact, they would so provoke Him to anger that He would move them to jealousy by creating a new people, who were not even a people; He would anger the Jews by accepting a foolish nation instead of them (Deut 32:21-24). That is an amazing prophecy on several levels.
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.
Israel left God even though He stretched out His hands constantly unto her, as a mother calls her child to come unto her. The Gentiles meanwhile, found a place in the Kingdom without having the Holy Scriptures and an amazing tradition of God working with them. The Jews were, and still are, a disobedient and gainsaying people. Not only do they refuse to believe in Christ, but the majority do not even believe that God exists. Driven mainly by egotism and arrogance, they continue to be contrary to all men (1Thes 2:15) and universally disliked. Remarkably, they are both the smartest race and the most morally depraved race, always at the forefront of wickedness and corruption.
The word gainsaying means to “talk back, dispute, disagree, refuse” (John 19:12; Acts 13:45; Titus 2:9).