What does Romans 10:7 mean?

Explanation

Romans 10:7 is a part of the Apostle Paul's discussion about righteousness and the confession of faith in Christ.

In this specific verse, Paul is quoting a rhetorical question from Deuteronomy 30:13, which originally referred to the word of the Law being accessible to the people of Israel.

In the context of Romans, Paul repurposes the question to emphasize that Christ’s resurrection is a past event and that no one needs to perform an extraordinary feat such as descending into the abyss (which metaphorically could mean the realm of the dead) to bring Christ back to life.

The deeper meaning here suggests that Christ's work is complete and accessible; there is no need for an impossible quest to attain salvation, as it has already been brought near by God through the resurrection of Jesus.

Historical Context

Paul’s letter to the Romans was written in approximately 56-58 A.D., a time when the early Christian church was spreading throughout the Roman Empire.

The audience primarily consisted of Jews and Gentiles in Rome.

At this time, the concept of resurrection was not universally accepted and many Gentile converts would have been unfamiliar with Jewish laws.

Paul uses the teaching of the resurrection to bridge the gap between Jewish and Gentile believers, emphasizing that faith in Christ's resurrection is central to Christian belief.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations explore the significance of Christ's resurrection and its accessibility to believers:

• The Reformed viewpoint holds that Paul's message in Romans 10:7 underscores the doctrine of sola fide, which means salvation is obtained through faith alone, not by human efforts.
• The Catholic perspective might emphasize that while the resurrection is central, the Church as the body of Christ plays a vital role in bringing the faithful into an experience of that mystery through the sacraments.
• A Liberation theology approach might interpret this as an assurance that the marginalized need not seek God in places beyond their reach, as God's saving work in Christ is near and available to all, regardless of social status.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life by reminding individuals that salvation is not a distant, unattainable goal requiring extraordinary efforts.

Instead, it encourages believers to accept the resurrection as a central tenet of their faith and to confidently profess their belief in Christ, knowing that salvation is near to all who call upon Him.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 30:12-14 - The passage that Paul quotes to make his argument about the word being near.
• Romans 10:6, 8 - Surrounding verses that discuss the righteousness that comes by faith.
• Ephesians 2:8 - Reinforces the concept that salvation is by grace through faith, and not of our own doing.
• John 3:13 - Speaks of Jesus being the one who descended from heaven, and thus, no one else needs to ascend to bring him down.

Language Study

The Greek term translated as "deep" (abusson) refers to the abyss, which can mean a very deep place or the abode of the dead.

This word is used to signify that the descent that Paul speaks of is not merely a physical action but a metaphor for something beyond human capability, emphasizing the supernatural aspect of resurrection.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The question of who might descend into the deep has echoes of various ancient myths and religious narratives, such as the Sumerian tale of Inanna's descent to the underworld or the Greek story of Orpheus trying to retrieve Eurydice from Hades.

These stories often involve a heroic journey to the realm of the dead, which contrasts with the Christian belief that such a journey is unnecessary for salvation because of Christ's resurrection.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not typically intersect with beliefs about resurrection as it is a supernatural event beyond empirical measurement or observation.

However, discussing faith concepts alongside scientific understanding encourages dialogue about the different ways we comprehend reality and the mysteries of life and death.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer varying insights on Romans 10:7:

• John Stott, a respected evangelical writer, viewed this verse as emphasizing the readily available nature of salvation through faith.
• F.F.

Bruce, a Biblical scholar, suggests that Paul is asserting that the same Lord is Lord of all, and his saving work does not require any additional feats on our part.

• N.T.

Wright, a New Testament historian, reads this text as a part of Paul's larger argument that the Christian message is about God's righteousness becoming available through faith in Christ for all who believe, without distinction.