Romans 10:12-21 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Romans 10:12-21. Let’s go!
Romans 10:12-13 (NIV)
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
On verses 12-13: “There is no difference” – in other words, regardless of your background, as long as you call on Jesus’ name to save you, you will be saved. That is why Jesus is Lord over the largest and most racially, culturally, linguistically, economically and demographically diverse family that has ever existed: His church. The moment you receive Jesus, in the grand scheme of things, you have more in common with your brothers and sisters in Christ living in other parts of the world than your unsaved next door neighbour.
Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
On verses 14-15: Paul shows us here how crucial it is that Christians preach the gospel, because if we want to see people call on Jesus’ name, they need to believe in Him first. If they are to believe in Him, they need to hear the gospel first. If they are to hear the gospel, someone needs to share it with them first. That is why every Christian plays an important role in spreading the gospel to those who have never heard it.
By the way, earlier in Romans 9 Paul talked about how God elects in advance whom He will save, and yet here in Romans 10 Paul emphasizes the importance of sending Christians to preach the good news to people who have not yet heard of Jesus. Why bother doing that if God is sovereign and has already made His election regarding who to save? It’s because, once again, God’s choices matter and so do ours. God and His choices stand outside of time and space. We, confined to time and space, have choices to make and those choices make a difference.
Romans 10:16-17 (NIV)
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
On verses 16-17: For them to have faith in Christ, they need to hear the message about Christ first. That is why verse 17 says, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” In other words, it is the message about Jesus and from Jesus spoken through people’s preaching that sparks faith in people.
Romans 10:18-21 (NIV)
18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, 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.”
20 And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
On verses 18-21: Paul quotes more from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah to show that God’s plan was always that Gentile people would believe in Him, and in so doing make the Jews envious to have what the Gentiles have (v18-20). Isaiah describes God as someone who holds out His hands to save the Israelites, hoping they will respond (v21). Likewise, God is holding out outstretched arms to each one of us, reaching to save us, and hoping we will respond by trusting in Him.
Father, thank You for the Word of Jesus Christ which sparks faith in us. Since faith comes from hearing Your Word, may I take the time every day to hear Your Word and please help me to share it effectively with others so that they can call on Your name too. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
