Lord’s Library editors offer this Romans 10:9 meaning and commentary with supporting Scriptures for your edification.
To obtain a Romans 10:9 meaning, see the verse in Scripture: “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.” As it is written, this verse presents the simplicity of salvation by grace through faith. It shows that salvation cannot be earned through ritual works of righteousness but is a matter of faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ.
Confession with the mouth is an outward acknowledgment of faith in Christ’s Blood Atonement. Jesus Himself warned that a simple acknowledgment of his existence are not enough, however. See Matthew 7:21: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
True confession flows from a heart that actually trusts in Christ’s finished work. The necessity of faith is reinforced in Romans 10:10: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Righteousness is imputed to those who believe, just as Abraham was counted righteous by faith. See Genesis 15:6: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Romans 10:9 Meaning
The foundation of salvation rests on Christ’s resurrection according to the Scriptures, full stop. Believing that God raised Him from the dead is essential because His resurrection proved His victory over sin and death, amen!
Read 1 Corinthians 15:17 to see Paul’s affirmation of this: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” But because Christ did rise, believers have the assurance of eternal life. See it confirmed in Romans 4:25: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ shows the guarantee that those who trust in Him will also be saved. See 2 Corinthians 4:14: “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” As one can see, salvation is entirely by grace through faith, which is apart from fruits that follow.
Ephesians 2:8-9 also presents these ideas: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Even the best deeds are insufficient before a holy God according to the Scriptures; see Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
This is why Paul contrasts righteousness by faith with righteousness by the law. See Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Romans 10:9 is a powerful declaration that salvation is available to all who place their trust in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ: “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.” Hear more from Paul in Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Here one can see how this invitation extends to all, without distinction, because salvation is by faith alone. Jesus said in John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
Romans 10:9 represents the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It affirms that salvation is not a process but a moment of faith—believing in the resurrection of Christ and confessing Him as Lord. Those who trust in Him are eternally secure, for He promised it! See John 10:28: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
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