Romans 10 – question 2
Paul uses Old Testament
Paul seems to quote Deuteronomy 30. But it is not directly so, we will see it. For this purpose, let us look at these verses:
Deuteronomy 30:11-14: For this commandment which I command you today is not too hard for you or too distant. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it ?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it ?” 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
God addressed to Moses concerning the commandment which he had given him, the Law of the Covenant to which the people were called to commit themselves in obedience. This Law is both very simple in that it applies to everyday life: « That thou mayest live, and multiply, and the LORD thy God bless thee in the land which thou shalt come into thy possession » (De 30:16). It is also accessible to everyone, neither complicated to understand nor remote requiring great efforts to access: « .. not too hard for you or too distant. » (v11).
The word is very near to you
God through Moses uses two images to illustrate this accessibility. The first image (v12): « Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it ? ». The thing being impossible, one understands today the metaphor as who would be able to do high studies or to invoke some transcendental power to explain this Law. The second image used by God (v13): « Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it ? ». Beyond the world known at the time of Moses, we could say today who would be able to go to Mars to fetch it and explain it to the people. In these two images that we are trying to transpose today, God simply means that this commandment, this Law « .. is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. » (v14) The law is intelligible to all and accessible to all and does not lead to elitism or asceticism.
The Law versus the Faith
So, the apostle Paul uses this passage not as a direct quotation but as an illustration, certainly known to the Jews, by transforming it to his benefit of teaching the good news. Indeed, in Romans 10:5-11 he is comparing the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of Faith. It replaces the visible sky and the terrestrial sea, with the sky and the abyss in a spiritual sense.
Romans 10:5-11 : For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.” (Leviticus 18:5) 6 But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (Deuteronomy 30:12) (that is, to bring Christ down); 7 or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (Deuteronomy 30:13) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” (Deuteronomy 30:14) that is, the word of faith which we preach: 9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 28:16)
This time, Paul reactualizes the question in a contemporary way: if the Law is fulfilled, who will be saved (will go to heaven) or who will be condemned (in the abyss, image of hell) ? Paul recalls here the work of Christ for salvation:
- « that is, to bring Christ down » (v6), this refers to the Incarnation of Christ: God has already sent His Son from heaven to fulfill the mission of salvation (John 3:13-16);
- « that is, to bring Christ up from the dead » (v7), this refers to Christ’s victory over death and Sin: Christ has already descended into death and defeated it by His resurrection (Romans 6:9).
Jesus did the work
The apparent effort necessary to apply the Law, but which was resolved by placing his trust in God, finds its echo in Christ who has done all the work of salvation. To the contemporary question « who will be saved » the answer is to give v9: « if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.« . Just as the Law is not complicated and marked by obscure philosophies, complex rules or esoteric religious rituals accessible only to a few privileged people, so the Gospel is accessible to anyone who believes in Jesus and his resurrection.
Conclusion
Paul frequently uses passages from the Old Testament by transforming or adapting them to reveal their prophetic and christological meaning (For exemples: Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8 ; Hosea 13:14 in 1 Corinthians 15:55). This illustrates his conviction that the whole of the Old Testament points to Jesus Christ and is fully fulfilled in him. This method of interpretation, though bold, is consistent with the Christian faith in Christ as the key to all biblical revelation. It is the foundation of the apostles, of which Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.