NGH BIBLE STUDY – ROMANS – OUTLINE #22
Israel’s Persistent Unbelief (Romans 10:5–21)
Israel’s problem was not a lack of zeal or religious fervour – it was a failure to submit to God’s offer of righteousness through faith, and an insistence on achieving their own righteousness through claiming to keep the law – which was utterly impossible to keep! This section goes on to outline the simplicity of the gospel message in the current age – available to both Jew and Gentile – and completely centred on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Outline
Rom 10:5-13 – Contrast between “righteousness which is of the law” and “righteousness of faith”
- Righteousness which is of the law requires complete obedience and compliance (which is impossible) whereas righteousness of faith relies on a work which Christ has completely done. (Rom 10:5-7)
- Salvation is near – it is accessible – it is simple – and it is entirely focused on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 10:8-10)
- There’s no distinction between Jew and Gentile when it comes to salvation – every one who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:11-13)
Rom 10:14-17 – The importance of gospel preaching
- Paul goes through a logical progression in terms of salvation – he has just said that those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved – How will they call? They must believe – How will they believe? They must hear. – How will they hear? Someone must preach. – How will someone preach? They must be sent.
- The preaching of the gospel is God’s basic way of reaching and saving souls in this dispensation – central to his purpose. Seen in the “great commission” and evidenced in history over the past centuries.
Rom 10:18-21 – Israel’s present rejection and the Inclusion of Gentiles
- No excuse for Israel – they heard the truth but did not accept it (Rom 10:18)
- Their own scriptures predicted that God would “provoke Israel to jealousy” by reaching out to the Gentiles (Rom 10:19-20)
- God’s enduring love for, and interest in, Israel – and their continued disobedience
(Rom 10:21)
Key Points/Questions for Discussion
- Romans 10:9 is a “golden gospel verse” – it is noteworthy that it emphasizes two vital truths – “Jesus is Lord” and “God has raised him from the dead”. What is the significance of these two truths in terms of their centrality to the gospel message?
- Both verses 10 and 13 speak of being saved (“you will be saved” (Rom 10:10) and “shall be saved” (Rom 10:13). Is it possible for Christians to focus to much on getting saved (i.e. how it happened) and not enough on the reality of being saved? Or to focus on feeling saved instead of being saved? What are some of the dangers involved in these common mistakes?
- Is gospel preaching important? How should the “chain of logic” in Rom 10:14-17 motivate us to missionary zeal and a gospel outreach focus? Are there other scriptural passages or examples that can help us understand God’s basic plan and purpose for gospel proclamation in the present age?
- What does the last verse tell us about the character of God, despite the disobedience and obstinacy of those who will not come? Are each one of us as thankful as we should be that he was patient and longsuffering and loving and persistent with us?