What does Romans 10:9-10 teach about salvation?

Romans 10:9-10 is a powerful and succinct passage that encapsulates the essence of Christian salvation. These verses state:

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10, NIV)

To understand what these verses teach about salvation, it is essential to delve into their context, the theological implications, and how they fit into the broader message of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans.

Context of Romans 10:9-10

The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Romans to address both Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome. One of his primary aims was to articulate the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 10, Paul is specifically addressing the righteousness that comes from faith as opposed to the righteousness based on the law. He argues that Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:4).

The Heart and Mouth: Belief and Confession

Romans 10:9-10 emphasizes two key components of salvation: belief in the heart and confession with the mouth. These two elements are deeply interconnected and together form the complete response to the gospel.

Belief in the Heart

Paul states that one must "believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead." This belief is not a mere intellectual assent but a deep, heartfelt trust in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is central to the Christian faith because it validates Jesus' divine nature and His victory over sin and death. As Paul writes elsewhere, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV). Therefore, believing in the resurrection is essential for salvation because it signifies trust in the entirety of Jesus' redemptive work.

Confession with the Mouth

The second component is to "declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord.'" This confession is a public acknowledgment of Jesus' lordship. In the Greco-Roman world, the term "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) was used to refer to someone with authority, often the emperor. By confessing Jesus as Lord, Christians were making a bold statement that Jesus holds ultimate authority, even above the emperor. This confession is not merely a verbal statement but a declaration of allegiance and submission to Jesus' authority.

Justification and Salvation

Paul links these two actions—believing and confessing—to two outcomes: justification and salvation. He writes, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Justification refers to being declared righteous before God. This is a legal term that signifies a change in status from guilty to righteous. Paul has already elaborated on justification earlier in Romans, particularly in chapters 3-5, where he explains that we are justified by faith apart from works of the law (Romans 3:28).

Salvation, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses deliverance from sin and its consequences, including eternal separation from God. Salvation is both a present reality and a future hope. In the present, believers experience freedom from the power of sin and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the future, they look forward to eternal life with God.

The Simplicity and Universality of Salvation

One of the remarkable aspects of Romans 10:9-10 is its simplicity. Paul distills the complex theology of salvation into two straightforward actions: believe and confess. This simplicity underscores the accessibility of salvation. It is not reserved for the intellectual elite or those who can perform extraordinary religious feats. Instead, it is available to anyone who believes and confesses, regardless of their background or status.

Paul reinforces this point in the verses that follow: "As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:11-13, NIV). This universality is a hallmark of the gospel message. Salvation is offered to all humanity, breaking down barriers of ethnicity, culture, and social status.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian life, and Romans 10:9-10 highlights its dual expression: internal belief and external confession. Faith is not a passive state but an active trust in God's promises and a willingness to proclaim that trust publicly. This dual expression is evident throughout the New Testament. For instance, Jesus said, "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33, NIV).

The Apostle James also emphasizes the active nature of faith, stating, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds" (James 2:18, NIV). While Paul and James approach the topic from different angles, they both affirm that genuine faith manifests in both belief and action.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

The ability to believe and confess is itself a work of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:3, "No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (NIV). The Holy Spirit convicts individuals of their need for a Savior, illuminates their understanding of the gospel, and empowers them to respond in faith. This divine enablement ensures that salvation is ultimately a work of God's grace from start to finish.

Assurance of Salvation

Romans 10:9-10 also provides assurance of salvation. The promise is clear: those who believe and confess will be saved. This assurance is not based on human effort or merit but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Believers can have confidence in their salvation because it rests on God's unchanging promises. As Paul writes in another part of Romans, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39, NIV).

Living Out Salvation

While Romans 10:9-10 focuses on the moment of salvation, it also implies a lifelong commitment to living under the lordship of Jesus. Confessing Jesus as Lord is not a one-time event but a continuous declaration that shapes every aspect of a believer's life. This ongoing confession is evident in how believers live, love, and serve. It involves a daily surrender to Jesus' authority and a commitment to follow His teachings.

Paul elaborates on this transformed life in Romans 12:1-2, where he urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation is the fruit of genuine faith and the evidence of a life submitted to Jesus' lordship.

Conclusion

Romans 10:9-10 teaches that salvation is a gift of God's grace received through faith. It involves a heartfelt belief in the resurrection of Jesus and a public confession of His lordship. This dual response leads to justification and salvation, offering assurance and transforming the believer's life. The simplicity and universality of this message underscore the accessibility of salvation to all who call on the name of the Lord. As believers live out their faith, they continue to declare Jesus as Lord, embodying the transformative power of the gospel in their daily lives.