Romans 10: Christ is the Fulfillment of the Law
Romans 10: Christ is the Fulfillment of the Law
Collin Leong. November 10, 2025
(v1-13) Israel Needs The Gospel
(v1-4) Paul desire that Israel be saved and constantly prayed for them. They have a zeal for God, but they don't fully understand Him. They are ignorant of the righteousness of God and sought to establish it in their own way. They did not submit to God's way (by faith). Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Exp: Paul said that Israelites are zealous for God and righteousness, but they did it in the wrong way. They reject Jesus who provided the right way - to achieve righteousness through faith in Him. This can be applied to others who are dedicated to their gods, and try to live a good life by giving, helping others, and meditation and praying - but they are looking at the wrong trees, so to speak.
(v5-8) Moses wrote about the righteousness from the law. and the person shall live by the commandments. But the righteousness based on faith do not need to say "who will ascend to heaven to bring Christ down", nor say "Who will descend into the abyss to bring Christ up from the dead." But they say: "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" - which is the faith we proclaim.
Exp: Paul is quoting and reinterpreting Deuteronomy 30:11–14, where Moses says God's command is not far off or inaccessible. Paul applies this to Christ: you don’t need to ascend to heaven or descend to the grave to find Him—He has already come down and risen. The “word” refers to the message of faith—the Gospel. It’s “in your mouth and in your heart,” meaning it’s ready to be spoken (confession) and believed (faith).
(v9-13) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the deal, you will be saved. With the heart one believes and is justified, and the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says: “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." (Paraphrase of Isaiah 28:16). There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Joel 2:32)
Exp: Isaiah 28:16 says: "therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’" (ESV) The word "not be in haste" is interpreted by other translation as "never be stricken in panic (NIV)" or "never be shaken (NLT)" or "will not be disturbed (NASB)".
(v14-21) Israel Rejects The Gospel
(v14-17) How can [Israel] call on God, since they have not believed? How will they believe of Him whom they never heard? How will they hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (Isaiah 52:7) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. Isaiah said: "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" (Isaiah 53:1) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
(v18-21) [Israel] did hear the gospel: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world" (Psalm 19:4). Did Israel understand? Moses says: “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” (Deut. 32:21)
Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” (Isaiah 65:1). But concerning Israel he says: “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (Isaiah 65:2)
Exp: In v18, Paul uses "all the world" quoting from Psalm 19:4. Obviously, by Paul's time, the gospel has not gone out to the whole world. In Jewish and Greco-Roman rhetoric, “all the world” often meant the known world (the Roman Empire). At that time, the gospel had spread widely across Jewish communities and Gentile cities in the Mediterranean. Israel has no excuse to say they haven't heard of the gospel.
In v19, Paul is addressing the expected question that perhaps Israel did not understand what they have heard. He did not answer this question, but quoted Deut. 32:21 that basically says that when the Gentiles believed in Christ, it created envy and anger to Israel. The issue is not that Israel did not understand the gospel, but that they understand it but rejected it. Gentiles, once idolaters, now receive God’s favor through faith in Christ. This reversal was shocking — and it showed that Israel should have understood from their own Scriptures that Gentile inclusion was part of God’s plan. Isaiah 65:1 added that even the Gentiles who did not seek Him (unlike Israel), salvation came to them.
Lastly, v21 (Isa 65:2), God laments Israel's stubbornness, though He (Jesus) went to them first and opened his arms (symbolizing Jesus opening his arms on the cross).
In summary:
- v18: Israel heard the gospel.
- v19: Israel understood — Moses predicted Gentile inclusion.
- v20: Gentiles received God’s revelation, even though they weren’t seeking.
- v21: In contrast, Israel resisted — despite God’s persistent outreach.
Key Messages
Romans 10 emphasizes the accessibility of salvation through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. Paul contrasts Israel’s pursuit of righteousness through the law with the righteousness that comes by faith. The chapter climaxes with the universal offer of salvation: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1. Christ is the Fulfillment of the Law (vv.1–4)
- Paul longs for Israel’s salvation but notes their zeal is misdirected.
- They sought righteousness through the law rather than submitting to God’s righteousness.
- Christ is the end (goal/fulfillment) of the law, bringing righteousness to all who believe.
Application: Don’t rely on self-effort or religious performance to earn righteousness. Trust Christ as the fulfillment of God’s law and rest in His completed work.
2. Salvation is Near and Accessible (vv.5–10)
- Righteousness by the law demands perfect obedience, which no one can achieve.
- Righteousness by faith is accessible: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.”
- Salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection.
Application: Salvation is not distant or complicated—it is available to anyone who believes and confesses Christ. Share this simplicity with others who may feel unworthy or far from God.
3. Salvation is for All Who Believe (vv.11–13)
- Scripture declares: “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
- There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; the same Lord is Lord of all.
- “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Application: Embrace the inclusivity of the gospel. No one is beyond God’s reach. Break down barriers of race, culture, or background when sharing Christ.
4. The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel (vv.14–17)
- Paul outlines the chain: people must be sent → they must preach → others must hear → then they can believe → and call on the Lord.
- Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
- The beauty of those who bring good news is celebrated.
Application: Take responsibility in the mission of God. Whether by going, sending, or supporting, participate in spreading the gospel so others may hear and believe.
5. Israel’s Unbelief Despite the Message (vv.18–21)
- The gospel has gone out, yet Israel largely rejected it.
- God foretold that Gentiles would be included, provoking Israel to jealousy.
- Despite rejection, God continues to hold out His hands to His people.
Application: Be encouraged that God’s patience and mercy endure even in rejection. Keep praying and witnessing to those who resist the gospel, trusting God’s persistent love.
Romans 10 is a call to faith, confession, and mission. It reminds us that salvation is simple yet profound—believe and confess Christ—and that we are entrusted with the responsibility to share this message with the world.
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