Romans 10 There are different reasons why we do things. God put in every believer the desire to teach certain aspects of the Bible for His purpose, as He prompts us to. If we totally trust in Him with no fear of any of our short comings, I believe He will give us the appropriate wisdom to proclaim his Truth. This particular chapter, oftentimes, I have come across those that quote parts of it, [ especially verses 9 &13] that seem at face value, to be real and contradict the fundamental salvation message of the Bible. As any believer should, we are witnesses of the truth from the Word of God as He leads us to discover the mystery of the knowledge of salvation and how they relate to our lifes. As always, we check to see if our conclusion passes the scrutiny of the rest of the Bible; as this is our validation of the Truth. If the Lord wills, He will give us the understanding and wisdom to lead us into all truths as He is the Light of the world. Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Thank be to God and to Him be the glory forever.
Romans 10:1-211 ¶ 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.
In the previous chapter, Romans 9, we read about the sovereign grace of God according to His election. When we study this chapter we are to be mindful of that as we see in Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: This verse tells us right away that not everyone will be saved; not even his beloved people the nation of Israel will be all saved.The Israelites, however, is a picture of the elects of God as they are the favour of God aswe see in Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. The spreading of the Gospel is the embodiment of salvation to those that are the elects of God. This is our job is to spread the Gospel truth of the Bible and not singularly promote some idea that may fit our lifestyle or perpetuates some misconceptual teaching that is unsupported by the Word of God but to preach the Gospel message of the truth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through His grace. May God be merciful and show us His truths as we venture to share His Word.Verse 1 ¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
This verse right away seem to contradict that of Romans 9:27 we have just seen. The apostle Paul is desiring something that God has declared in His Word as not a possibility. However, here is an important concept on the teaching on election. We as believers do not know who the elects of God are. We will not, even at anytime of our earthly existance, be partaker in such knowledge. This knowledge is privaledged only to God for the pleasure of His good will. This is also beneficial for the believer as God saw fit to do so as we are in the body. There is no partially with God, however there is with man. God has removed that from us so that we can go indiscriminately into all the world and preach the Gospel without favourable or unfavourable disregard. This is the example that the apostle Paul is making known. Regardless of the unction in verse 1, we see the true heart of a believer in Paul. Because he cannot save anyone, his heart's desire is that those he loves may be saved and that is where our desire stops. When we witness we do not know who is elected, however we do that which we are commanded and leave the rest to God. So it is God that will finally do the saving according to election Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) This is the cause for our having reponded to the Gospel, because we have been earmarked for salvation. Perhaps God saves those from each nation of the world so that they would have the same desire, as we see the apostle Paul, for his own people, the Israelites.Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good <2107> in thy sight.
The word desire here is used also as what is good from God's perspective.
2107 eudokia eudokia yoo-dok-ee'-ah
AV - good pleasure 4, good will 2, seem good + 1096 2, desire 1; 9
Here we have a direct declaration by the apostle Paul. As an Israelite himself, he demonstrate a desire for his progenitor to become saved. (The reference here could not be talking about the non-Jewish elects of God because we know they will become saved.) All men from all nations, if elected unto salvation will become saved. This could be an example for every believer to desire the same for their own people first and then the rest of the whole world as we indiscriminately bring the Gospel to everyone. However, God through the apostle Paul wants Israel to be saved as in John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. as this verse is saying that not everyone will be saved because not everyone is elected unto salvation and therefore not everyone will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ..
Verse 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
1922 epignwsij epignosis ep-ig'-no-sis
AV - knowledge 16, acknowledging 3, acknowledgement 1; 20
As a Jew himself, Apostle Paul speaks from his earlier experiences before God saved him. He knows their zeal for keeping the law. However because they are not elects of God, they have not acquire the knowledge of salvation because God has not opened their spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ear to hear whereby they may understand His Word and be saved. Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. In Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: In Ephesians 3:3-4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
We see these three references to knowledge. This is not necessarily head knowledge, but more like heart knowledge. This is the knowledge of the mystery of the salvation of God which is given by God to those to whom are elected to salvation thereby becoming saved. This is lacking in the lives of the those to whom Paul is addressing which applies to us also as we read the Bible we are also his audience today.
Verse 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.
What could Paul be talking about? And how could he know their ignorance of the righteousness of God? If we are an elect of God and before we become saved we do not submit to the righteousness of God and we are under the wrath of God and are ignorant of His mercies. We are the same as the children of disobedience. Apostle Paul addresses both situations. He is the perfect candidate that has gone through both experiences: being in ignorance of the righteousness of God while unsaved to having the knowledge of God's righteousness and consequently becoming saved thereby. Salvation, however, is from God who will change our understanding, if He wills, and give us the knowledge to understand.Lets examine this word:
50 agnoew agnoeo ag-no-eh'-o
AV - be ignorant 7, ignorant 4, know not 4, understand not 3, ignorantly 2, unknown 2; 22
In Luke 9:45 we see But they understood not <50> this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. If God would be merciful and open our spiritual eyes, we will then come to the knowledge of the mystery of salvation from His Word and thereby be saved. This is fearful language as we see also in Hebrew 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant <50>, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
" Out of the way" is a statement that refers to those who are not saved as Christ is the "way" the truth and the life (John 14:6) This also includes those that bring false Gospels.
2Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not <50>; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
1Corinthians 14:38 But if any man be ignorant <50>, let him be ignorant <50>. This is a condition we pray to God that we won't fall into; that God may not pass us by with His eternal mercies. This is why we bring the gospel so that we, in hope of brining that knowledge should the Lord open our spiritual eyes.
Verse 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5056 teloj telos tel'-os
AV - end 35, custom 3, uttermost 1, finally 1, ending 1, by (one's) continual + 1519 1; 42
2Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end <5056> of that which is abolished:
The law that man was to keep in order to achieve righteousness comes to an end when Christ went to the cross. The law was designed to demonstrate the justice of God; that nothing with sin can come to the holy presence of God. But the law was weak that it could not save anyone.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
The law is the measure where God's perfect righteousness is declared as we have it today; the Bible. We must achieve it and maintain it. It is the bar that all those who need to be saved must reach. However, no one on their own could reach that bar. Christ Had to reach and fulfill the requirement of the law for those that believe on Him.Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The purpose of the law however was to show us the righteousness that is demanded by God. Therefore, Christ had to keep the law of God for those that believe in Him. However, those that believe on Christ will be saved even though they did not keep the law because Christ has kept it for them by going to the cross.
Verse 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
4160 poiew poieo poy-eh'-o
AV - do 357, make 113, bring forth 14, commit 9, cause 9, work 8, show 5, bear 4, keep 4, fulfil 3, deal 2, perform 2, not tr 3, misc 43, vr do 3; 579
John 6:51 I am the living <2198> bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live <2198> for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The life we are to live is that of Christ-like. This is the command that those that live by will live (be saved). The righteousness required by the perfect law of God is nullified because of man's sinful nature. As we see in the previous verse the inability of man to keep the law. Hence the coming of Christ to fulfill the demands of the law. Moses represents the law of God through the Old Testament. It has given mankind precepts where they were to live by. If they were to be of Gods elects they would have to obey the law of righteousness. There was no other way to be acceptable in the sight of God unless they kept the law.
Verse 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:)
Verse 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)4102 pistij pistis pis'-tis
AV - faith 239, assurance 1, believe + 1537 1, belief 1, them that believe 1, fidelity 1; 244
Our salvation was given as a gift through the faith of Jesus Christ as we see the following accounts Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith <4102> hath saved thee; go in peace. It is nothing we have done as we read in Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith <4102> without the deeds of the law. Christ kept the deeds of the law to render us worthy.to be justified. Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Anything we do cannot be accounted for salvation because Christ did it all. Here the righteousness of God is defined by God as having the faith to believe in Christ. That faith was not our own but God who was merciful. It was not that our righteousness, independent of Christ, brought Christ down from heaven to die for our salvation. or to suffer the death in hell being under the wrath of God as He did. Not at all. The sense of this verse is that there was no one righteousness worthy of ascending into heaven to effect the salvation plan of God as we see in Psalm 14: 2-3 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. There was no one righteous nor good enough to take the place of Christ in hell for their sins let alone the sins of another. No one was qualified to be saviour of the world. Because God is a righteous and just God, there remains a payment for these sins Roman 6:23; For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. and someone had to pay. God is so just that He couldn't just overlook these atrocities. So He sent His son to bear His wrath so those that believe on Him can be saved. We see more of God's wisdom is from assured and everlasting Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Almighty God is all knowing without comparison; Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. God alone has provided for men even those He elected.. He is just and righteous. Isaiah 40:13-14 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? This definitive statement tells us that Christ came because in the counsel of God's own wisdom; who had mercy on His people saw the devastation of mankind. It is very convincing as we see that it is the mercy of God that sent Christ to be the Saviour and not because we asked Him or are worthy or deserving of His grace. Alone, God in His mercy loved us. He who is the author and finisher of our salvation through His faith that saved us.
Verse 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;4487 rhma rhema hray'-mah
AV - word 56, saying 9, thing 3, no thing + 3756 1, not tr 1; 70
Clearly, we see here that the Word, which is Christ manifested through the Bible, is the means whereby we come to the understanding of the mystery of salvation. It is the influence, if you will, that changes the heart. It is the messenger of faith that delivers the message of salvation when we preach it. But we ask how is it that the Word of God is within our understanding? We read in Isaiah 55:9-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.We see that the thoughts of God are higher than our thoughts. That is, they are more righteous and more glorious than what we could ever do or wish for. The thoughts of God are contained in His word and it is what we should be guided by. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Therefore when we bring the Gospel, it gives us understanding to preach "seed to the sower" if that is our goal or spiritual nourishment for those that feed on it. 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Truly when we bring the Gospel, we cannot convert anyone Christ. The decision is God's and God's alone. If we do not do that we are bringing false gospels that is not of God. The phrase that God is using is; " but it shall accomplish that which I please " This takes us out of the picture and into God's hands. Further we see; "it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." We could decide to go somewhere to bring the Gospel but unless God sends us, He will not bless it. This is the message of the Gospel that God must be our Captain in all that we do.
Therefore when we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit of God that indwells the believer reveals the wisdom of God to our understanding giving us the heart to succumb.It is because God has done the work of giving us a new heart, one that totally realizes our need for a Saviour.John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Our understanding of the Bible is from God that is represented by His Holy Spirit. Unless we are saved we can not understand the Bible that contains the wisdom of God as we read in John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. This verse is so helpful to us that it tells us why some people know and understand the Bible and some do not and it reflect in their understanding of the Word. This however in not because one is smarter and another is not. Salvation is given by God as a gift and that gift is not given exclusively to all people. It is given only to those who have become saved. It is the means where God uses to instructs and guides the life of the believer.2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Without it, the believer is on his own which the merciful God would not allow. This is what Jesus reiterated as He represents all things that are in accordance with the Father when He gave His parting promise, in a little while yet, to His disciples; John 14:17-18 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. We are reassured of this promise; that no matter how hard the problem, Christ who is the word is there for our comfort and we can never be without guidance as we read in Psalm 119:105 ¶ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Verse 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.
3670 omologew homologeo hom-ol-og-eh'-o
AV - confess 17, profess 3, promise 1, give thanks 1, confession is made 1, acknowledgeth 1; 24
In order to understand this word we will look at how it is used in the Bble. In Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess <3670> me before men, him shall <3670> the Son of man also confess <3670> before the angels of God:
How do we confess Christ before men? We do this by confessing His name His Gospel to the world.. We see the same theme in 1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed <3670> a good profession before many witnesses. What fight do we do? This is our fight against the devil as we see in Ephesians 6:12 how God tells us how to prepare ourselves for that. 1John 1:9 If we confess <3670> our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What could this verse mean? What it doesn't mean is that if we declare our sins openly God will forgive us. We are forgiven because God the father has given us His gift of salvation. We do not become saved by anything we do. No work gets us saved. Therefore by knowledge of our sins, as we declare the Gospel we use our experiences to tell others how our sins would have sent us to hell. It is by the grace of God that saved us. Nowhere else in the Bible supports us the fact that if we tell others our sins will forgive us. This is unbiblical. 2John 1:7 ¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess <3670> not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Satan has his ministers in the world to bring false gospels. They are professing falsities as the truth.. Like the true believers, they also bring their gospel. If we cap off what we have learned, we see the application of the word "confess" in these few verses. We the common thread that runs through these verses is the need to proclaim the Gospel as in Luke 12, 1Timothy 6 and 1John 1:9. It is interesting to know that the false gospel by the false prophets are busy at work as we read in 2 John 1:7. They also are proclaiming the kingdom of Satan to deceive those who are not elect of God. For the believer, whom God has and is working in their lives. The implication is that there has been a firm commitment or belief that the individual causing the action "confession" is deeply entrenched in such a belief. This give evidence to the fact that we confess something that we are fairly, and thoroughly convicted about. This belief is only from the Word of God as God teaches us by His Spirit. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. What are we confessing? If we are saved we are confessing our unworthiness of salvation because of our sins and that it was the mercy of God that He did not condemn us when He should and because of that we are demonstrating that love by confessing our faith to others by being His servants. God directs our good works to the world as He uses that to convert others as we are commanded. We therefore confess the sanctity of the Gospel by becoming witnesses for Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors in the world. Verse 8 helps us tremendously: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith," This is what enables us to confess Christ with our mouths because we have a thorough understanding of God's salvation in our hearts: As witnesses, we obey His command of going into the world and confess what we know because He has given us understanding by the result of our salvation. Confession; it is a direct link to the workings of the Holy Spirit that reveals the truth of Gods understandings in our hearts. Understanding the Bible is a long-term process. Believing is a continuous process.( To believe in something or someone this is a long term process. We develop this through a long-term relationship with someone. We never develop trust in a moment of passion, it is a result of a time-tested relationship.) In Christ our lives becomes a living testimony of our faith in Jesus Christ.This is the true evidence that we are His if we do His will. How can this be if we do not know His Word? It is not possible. It is the Bible that tells us about God. God in all His wisdom has pre-planned and predestinated all things to the will of His good and we find this out when we study the Bible.Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, This is the message of the Bible: To make known to those He chose the mystery of the message of salvation as it is not for all mankind as we have seen. Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Verse 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
4991 swthria soteria so-tay-ree'-ah
AV - salvation 40, the (one) be saved 1, deliver + 1325 1, health 1, saving 1, that (one) be saved + 1519 1; 45
Salvation then becomes real to us. No longer can we think that any whimsical mood swing can get us close to God. This is the purpose of the Bible: To reveal to His elects His will in heaven and on earth. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation <4991>: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,It must be by the process that is prescribed by His Word. We can answer this with what John 5:5 declares; Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. This is the salvation of God. We will not enter into the kingdom of God unless we are born again of the water and the Spirit. What does this mean? Well, we have basically discussed this before. The water is the Word of God; the Bible. Salvation can be if we do not know the Word of God. Just think for a minute: Is is possible to be an engineer without knowing anything about the principles of Engineering or Computer Science, Medicine, etc. God created everything in perfect harmony and in good order as we are also commanded in 1Corinthians 14:40 " Let all things be done decently and in order." You get my point. In the same way we can not be saved independent of the Word of God. How can we be good stewards of the Word if we do not know it? It is God that gives us understanding when we read His Word. Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This is the faith to believe Jesus Christ and thereby be saved. Anything less is not a prescription by God but of men. Is this a promise? Of course it is because it is not dependent on our strength or wisdom or encouragement. The whole salvation is of God. There is no man-made contribution involved in it at all. We are only used of Him if He wills. And if He wills then it is going to be done because we see in Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." We are only a vessel, or later on, the feet that deliver the good news of the Gospel of salvation of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Verse 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2617 kataiscunw kataischuno kat-ahee-skhoo'-no
AV - ashamed 7, confound 3, dishonour 2, shame 1; 13
What can we make of this. What kind of shame could we face? This is in reference to having been saved. If we are saved we will not be ashamed because in the last day we will be judging the unsaved of the world who would be confounded. Romans 5:5 And hope maketh <2617> not ashamed <2617>; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Whatever God does He does it to propel His Gospel in the world. No one could outmaneuver God as we read from 1Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound <2617> the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound <2617> the things which are mighty;
Similarly, we see that our state of salvation will render us part of the family of God. On that last day, the day of judgment we would not be left in judgment because Christ has given us the faith to believe.1Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall <2617> not be confounded <2617> Likewise we see those that speak against the true gospel they would be ashamed in judgment. 1Peter 3:16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed <2617> that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. The child of God who lives by the precepts of the Bible can be falsely accused by the world. Because we are saved, those that accuse us will discover that the basis of their discontent is based on their not understanding of the word and are doomed for not having the knowledge of salvation. The end result will be that of being in hell with no hope.
Verse 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.Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference <1293>: Here we see an affirmation of God's unconditional love. He is specifically making a statement that seem to contradict the teachings of the Old Testament. This we find in Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The house of Israel as God uses in the Old Testament refers to the blood descendants of Abraham. This points to the new house of Israel in the New Testament who are those that have been elected by God unto salvation. As in the Old Testament, these are a purchased people who consists of people from every nation besides the Jews.Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. This is the greatest command every believer has been commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Out of every nation are those that God predestinated unto salvation. So the Gospel is preached to the whole world in order that those that God elected unto salvation could be saved.
Verse 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1941 epikaleomai epikaleomai ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee
AV - call on 7, be (one's) surname 6, be surnamed 5, call upon 4, appeal unto 4, call 4, appeal to 1, appeal 1; 32
How do we call upon the Lord? Through the Word of God we would come into the understanding that we are headed for hell unless we have a Saviour. This results in us calling out to God. This is the same word as we see the reference to someones name. Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed <1941> Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. Those that worship God would call on Him for mercy. Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called <1941>, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. This is God's remnant who are predestinated for salvation. Who are they that will call on the name of the Lord?. These are the people whom God has predestinated to call. If we are His elects God causes the initial action. We read in Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. God will open our spiritual eyes to see and hear (spiritually) the message of salvation. When God reveal Himself to us through His Word, we become aware of the desperate situation we are in. God's righteousness and judgment, given to the believers from the Bible makes us realize that unless we call out to God for mercy we will end up in hell. But who gave to us the understanding that we should call. Did we call on own own by our own understanding. Hardly; we see in Isaiah 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. This verse reveals to us that we would not call, nor would we stir ourselves up to call. If we insist that we call the rest of the verse tells us that God has hid Himself from us. Who then are we calling? God has to elect us to salvation and at His time He will save us as we read from verse 8 following But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. This message is carried out throughout the Bible as we find in Romans 9: 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. He gives us the understanding that makes us know that we are in a desperate situation. This is by no means and impulsive or spontaneous response. To believe God we must thoroughly understand the person of Jesus Christ and develop a total trust in Him. This can only be through His Word because, in our generation we have never seen Christ. This we must have in order to surrender our will to His and be obedient to keep His Word: To be able to go to Him with every question and every need that we have. In other words we live or die by Christ; we hang our whole life on Him. This is what believing is as we read in Roman 6:8-11; Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We see this explanation of what a parable is and its purpose in Mark 4:9-12; where Jesus has just told the multitude the parable of the sower. Shortly thereafter we see Jesus and His disciples; 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Those that understand the message of salvation are only those that understand the Bible. God is the only one that can do it because only He can give us the understanding, and a new heart to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what makes us call on His name. Preaching or witnessing alone does not save us. It is the work of God through our preaching, if He chooses. That choice was predetermined before the world began. Therefore unless God uses our efforts there is nothing we can do. We must understand this fundamental point about salvation otherwise our thinking is for nought. That is why we do not force people to believe the Gospel. It is God that converts people and change their hearts. We can do nothing unless God blesses our efforts, otherwise we are witnessing on our own volition without God. God has made His will known that unless we are paying close attention and read the Bible carefully we may not see what He is declaring. God is very specific when He says He will do such and such. We should not take these lightly. There are 1535 times this statement "I will" is mentioned in the Bible. Let us look at some examples; Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. There is no clearer verse than this regarding the righteous judgment of God. It simply says that He will punish those that He will not save. Isaiah 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. God not only created mankind in His image, but gave him the glory of His kingdom to be joint-heirs with Christ. Isaiah 22:21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. More blessings to those that He would so likewise save. The robe of Christ's righteousness (wedding garment) is what we would be clothed with.He will give us the responsibility to bring the Gospel. Isaiah 41:10 ¶ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. This is where we put our total trust in God. "I will help thee" Is it because He has decided to help us that we feel that we did it by ourselves? This is the arrogance that we see above in Isaiah 13:11. If God is on our side who can be against us? Not even ourselves.Isaiah 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. Perfect picture of what happens when we bring the Gospel. Here is a picture of what happens when we serve the Lord. He does it through His Word that is a two-edged sword. Yes the mighty power of God. Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Same theme, just different scenario when we bring the Gospel. There is nothing impossible to God; "Spring of water in a dry land?" Awesome God don't you think? Picture of the Gospel in an unbelieving land (world) Just think: How much money would it cost a water district to achieve that? All we can do is pipe it in, but God gives a "spring of water" if He would be so merciful. Isaiah 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: All these references point to the believers. These are all the names God uses when He refers to the believer. This is the result of Isaiah 41:18. The trees (believers) grow (saved) because God has provided the water. (Gospel) Isaiah 41:27 The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. The massage of the Gospel is proclaimed through the prediction of the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ who brings salvation (good tidings) to Jerusalem (believers) Romans 9:15-16 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. There can be no dissemination from the truth as God puts it to us directly. He will save those of whom He will save. Romans 9:25 ¶ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. Here God qualifies those He calls as He did in Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. Totally God's will as this verse tells us. Conversely we also see those who will not be saved in Hosea 1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. (Loammi means; "not my people") Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Convincingly we are overwhelmed with all these verses not to mention that we are seeing something that most people cannot conceive of a loving God. We ask how can a loving God send me to hell? Well does Revelation 2:23 explain it? 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. God is a just God; this we do not understand. Unless He saves us we can never understand that. Who gives us understanding? It is God. We just cannot think at anytime that we can somehow figure out God. We can never understand God unless He allows us. We cannot use our points of reference to contain Him. How many names of God do we know of? Does that give us a flickering hint?
Moreover when we read in Acts 2: 16-21 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. We see this same verse and in the context here as a result of God having created a manifestation of His promise in Joel 2:28 that God will pour out His spirit and those that are saved will prophesy. Simply, the elects of God will become saved and they will in turn, being prophets, prophesy and become witnesses of His Gospel (This is what this language is talking about) By this action the elects of God will be drawn and will call out to God for mercy. We see this because everyone that calls will be saved. The reason for this is because God is orchestrating the whole affair. God is in charge. This is no flighty or whimsical happening. There is no connection between this and those that claim that they have to accept Christ as their Saviour. This action is a call of surrender as we find that of the publican in Luke 18:13-14 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. This is the plea of a man who has totally surrender himself to the mercy of God because God has given him a new heart to fear God. We see the result of what happened as we see in verse 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
When God is in charge of our salvation we will be taken care of. as we see this classic parable which is a picture that God is giving us of how someone is savedVerse 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?
Here is the first examination of the the action we are commanded to do. We have just spent some time to determine what makes or rather who makes us call. The call is a direct result of our witnessing, preaching etc. IF God wills. We indisciminantly bring the Gospel. We are told to "go ye into all the world" but God does not tell us who will be saved and how many. There is nowhere in the Bible that tells us to only go here or there. (The references where God uses places like Israel, is where God is allegorizing; trying to paint a spiritual application for emphasis) This is strictly pointing to the mechanics of how someone come about calling as it is a result of our bringing the Gospel (preaching). It is our witnessing that God uses to open the ears of His elects. When we hear God will open our hearts to make us believe in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Verse 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!
The second point of examination is that the result that is required "believing" cannot be achieved unless we physically witness. That is the emphasis that we also saw in the study of the unjust steward in Luke 16. To break it down more, we cannot preach unless we are sent. Let's not overlook the implication here: "they be sent". Who is doing the sending? Is it our will or our understanding? Absolutely not. God has to send us as this point has been already made in this study. So the schematic is as follows:
1. God calls those according to His election.
2. God bring them to hear the Word
3. God makes them understand the mystery of salvation.
4. God breaks their will and give them a new heart.
5. God gives them the faith to believe.
6. God makes them call out to God for mercy.
7. God hears their call.
8. God saves those that call.
9. God makes them obey Him in all things.
10. God sends them out to be His ambassadors into the world.
11. We go back to step #1 and start again.
This is the cycle of the divine economy of God. If we can see this then we have no problem. Those that believe otherwise will always have a problem trying to fit all the sayings of the Bible but never will. This is the only cohesive way we can compare any and all scripture verses and come to the knowledge of the mystery of the Word of God, if He would be willing.
Verse 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Do we see how this is? Unless God makes us understand His Word we cannot obey let alone call out to God and be saved. Once He gives us that understanding to know our desperate situation and the need for a Saviour we would not call. Who wouldn't call if they know that there is only one way to be saved from the perils of eternal hell. Unless we are saved we can not obey. We can not believe the report unless God leads us into understanding. The reason for not believing the report (Bible) is because God has not yet drawn us to the Lord Jesus Christ whereby no other name can we be saved. The effectiveness of our preaching is indicated by "how beautiful are the feet of them that bring the Gospel" as this is a sign that Jesus did in John 13 when He washed the feet of His disciples. (That's another study) In short it means that God has blessed (people are saved by) our witnessing. The good tidings is a reference to the salvation of God the ultimate of our preaching.
Verse 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In no uncertain terms, it is the Bible that we get understanding. How do we ever have the faith to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved? It is by His Word. His indwelling Spirit in the life of the believer, leads him to have the desire and wisdom to understand His Word. As we have already covered, that is the understanding that is a blessing from God, if we are His elects. Most telling evidence of the presence of the Bible in the life of the believer. No one has seen God at anytime and yet all that our faith in God is all from His Word; the Bible. Without this faith we cannot live as a believer simply because of the nature of those that believe; they are given the faith to believe. Is this amazing?
Verse 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.
This is the evidence of the fact that even though the Gospel is preached, the children of Israel's ears were not opened because God has not inclined their ears. Salvation, here again, is the mercy of God; not because we didn't hear, but it's because God has not done the work because we have not had His grace. God by His divine mercy must open our spiritual ears to hear the Gospel. This is not a physical hearing, it is spiritual hearing that God must grant us if we are one of His.
Verse 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.
Here we see the evidence of the vain preaching that was evidence in the time of the prophet Moses as we read in the same account in Deuteronomy 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. Perfect evidence of preaching without the blessings of God. But how can they hear? Their foolishness is due to the fact God had not elected them to salvation where they would be drawn to Christ and thereby fulfilling the promise of their salvation by them hearing the Word. Salvation has come to the Gentiles (foolish nations) not by the blunt hearing of the Israelites, but by the mercy of God. The Israelites should have heard. It would appear that if it was physical seeing and hearing they surely would have heard. We know this is not so because God had foreordain all things before the beginning of the word. Therefore, because God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent He knows how all things will happen because of His great wisdom and great might.
Verse 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.This is an impossibility; how can we find something or someone that we did not seek out. However, this verse speaks directly to address those that insist on having to do someting in order to be saved. Anyone that believes that they have to be baptised in water or accept Jesus as their Saviour would have problems with this verse. The essense of this verse simply says that those who do not seek the Lord will be saved. How is this so? God ny election preordained certain people to be saved. As they are in the world before they become saved, God worked in their lives to lead them to hear the Gospel. Through this they are converted.Acts 15:7-8 "7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;" The prophet Isaiah as he proclaims the mercy and will of God as God blessed people that "sought Him not" those who are not mention among the nation of Israel, (a picture God's chosen people). This is basically pointing to all other nations whom the elect of God are of origin. The point here is that God is portraying the unfruitfulness of the Gospel without Him. Blood descendants of Abraham (Israel) is a picture of His promised nation (elect) and yet Israel were a stiff necked people as we all are until He saves us. God uses this scenario to point out that He will also save those who are not blood descendants of Abraham unto salvation. (Not to be mistaken that all the elect of God will be saved as God ordained then unto salvation) Key point is that without God we can do nothing. With God we can do everything. He can make the unseemly seemly and the seemly unseemly. That's it!!! Notwithstanding, God does not do thing in spite of His laws. He does things because of His laws. He does not circumvent His own laws just because He is God. He obeys His laws because He is a just and righteous God.
Verse 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Well, what do we make of this highly suspect verse? Does this verse nullifies everything we talked about? Well, hardly. Any one verse can not supplant basic and fundamental principles of the Bible. This is always a good rule-of- thumb. This verse supports verse 18&19.If this verse is what it seem to say then Numbers11:23, Isaiah 59:1 would have no meaning. The same verse we find in Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. God will accomplish whatever He desires. It is through the preaching of the Gospel that the hand of God is stretched out but to actually save God must do the changing of each individual heart. Salvation can only be the fulfillment of God's election which God does and not because the Gospel is preached to everyone. The general principle of the Old Testament is to point toward the fulfillment of God's will in the New Testament; it is a shadow of things to come: namely Jesus Christ the fulfillment of the Gospel's salvation plan. Therefore we can look at the nation of Israel as a picture of the elects of God only because the elect is not limited to a nation or people. God is not a respector of persons.except that He saves those He saved because He knows the end from the beginning.
Summary Sometimes we may get confused as to how the whole Scriptures come together for us to understand. In this chapter there is no specific reference to the election calling of God. That does not mean we disregard it when we find other truths. Nonetheless we see however, a reference to "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:", this should give us a red-light that we need to investigate, and that we have done in this study. That was our goal here; to try and piece together all the pieces of the the puzzle of God's Word. This we can never do alone. God has to give us wisdom. The major principle of any Bible study is from 1Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
This has been our goal, not just this study but whenever we get a chance to look into the Word of God. Listed below is the summary of what we have learned incorporating all that we are to understand from the salvation of the Bible in its entirety1. God calls those according to His election.
2. God bring them to hear the Word
3. God makes them understand the mystery of salvation.
4. God breaks their will and give them a new heart.
5. God gives them the faith to believe.
6. God makes them call out to God for mercy.
7. God hears their call.
8. God saves those that call.
9. God makes them obey Him in all things.
10. God sends them to be His ambassadors in the world.
11. The new believer goes to step #1 and do likewise, as others continue.
We thank God again for another opportunity to share the marvelous nature of His Word. By no means can we get any understanding unless He giveth. May the glory be unto whom all Glory is due. To Go Be The Glory
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