I'm happy for someone to explain the fact that in one place we're told to believe; in another we're told to repent; in another we're told to confess with out mouths. Anybody want to tackle that?
When it comes to confessing, there is a context we must consider before jumping to the conclusion that conversion is the topic. We must also consider related word usage, which helps to clarify both the context and definition of the confession
But ultimately, there just isn't sufficient space here to address all the related issues which come up in a full treatment of this passage. One would almost have to construct a full systematic theology in order to deal with the mindset change which might need to come about in order to see what Paul was getting at. Nevertheless,
Romans 10-9-10:
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
It's honestly very difficult for me to figure out where to start - context or word usage. In order to fully explain word usage, the context must be explained. And in order to demonstrate context, word usage has to be taken into account.
So I ask for a little grace, knowing that the way I write it may not be the most effective presentation for others to understand what I'm getting at. Some context, some word usage, all mixed together
The imperative to confess in verses 9-10 cannot be disassociated from verse 13, which says,
for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
That's because both verses promise "salvation" for the one who confesses or (maybe and) calls on the name of the Lord.
It is thought by many that verse 13 supports a conversion prayer, which would be akin to asking for Jesus to "come into my heart"
But, only 7 verses later, in verse 20, we read:
And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
If verse 13 instructs someone to ask for Jesus, why does verse 20 say that God became manifest to those who did NOT ask for Him?
I don't need to make a great deal of that, but it is food for thought as to how verse 13 might have a different meaning than many think. What is this salvation spoken of by Paul?
A number of years ago, I was struck by words and phrases in Romans 10 which are also used in Matthew 10 and 2Timothy 2. Very interesting:
Rom 10:9 Confess the Lord Jesus
Matt 10:32 Whoever confesses Me before men
Rom 10:13 Whoever calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved
Matt 10:22 Whoever endures to the end
will be saved
2Tim 2:12
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us
Notice in Romans 10:9-10, there are two causes and two effects:
1) for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness,
2) and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
We see the first cause/effect listed by Paul is that one believes in their heart unto righteousness. That is conversion, and it is complete.
The next cause/effect is confessing unto salvation. We see only 3 verses later that the cause/effect is to call on the name of the Lord to be saved.
So, is this two imperatives or one? Do we have to call on His name AND confess Him, or are they the same thing? Paul's flow seems to indicate that they are the same thing.
As noted in an earlier post, many are tripped up over the word "saved", and this passage is no different. But before that is addressed full, consider something else VERY interesting
What's translated into English as "Call on" is actually one word in Greek - epikalesetai
It's a form of the word epikaleo, which has two parts:
1) epi - on, upon, near, close
2) kaleo - to call
It is interesting to note how this word is used elsewhere as it relates to names:
Acts 1:23 - Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus. They "called on" him Justus
Acts 4:36 - Joseph, called Barnabas by the disciples. They "called on" him Barnabas
Acts 10:32 - Simon was "called on" Peter
Acts 12:12 - John was "called on" Mark
In these uses (and a few others), to call on meant to become called by a name. Though it can be used in the context of a prayer, as when Stephen was being stoned and "called on" (prayed to) the Lord, the context sure isn't conversion. It was in the context of him suffering martrdom
Also, in Acts 15:17, we read:
So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name
In 2Timothy 2 (there's that chapter again), we see in verse 19 & 22:
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Epikaleo is used in verse 22
Epikaleo is also used in the Greek Old Testament in 2Chronicles 7:14, when God said "If My people, who are
called by My name (epikaleo)"
But back to the context of Romans 10, and the similar word usage in Matthew 10, which is squarely in the context of suffering persecution. Is there any hint that Romans 10 could be in the same context? I believe so.
Back up to Romans 8:16-17, which reads "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
This is the part where many do not see the contextual flow from chapter 8 all the was through chapter 11.
Just as Paul said in 2Tim 2:12, if we endure, we will reign with Him, he says here that we are joint-heirs IF we suffer with Him.
And then it seems to may that Paul went on a schizophrenic rant, where he couldn't stay focused on his own context. It must be that he derailed his own thoughts in order to go into a long treatise on predestination.
If predestination were unto regeneration and eternal life, then Paul was absolutely having a hard time staying focused.
However, predestination has NEVER been about who will go to heaven. Rather, predestination concerns who will reign with Christ. Who will be joint-heirs with Him.
It is to those who have been predestined to suffer with Him, who were foreknown as joint-heirs. Rom 8:18, 28-30 says this:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called
And we can clearly see what we are called to:
1Peter 2:20-21 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps
So Paul is speaking of the GLORY which will be revealed in us, which he also referenced in 9:23
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory
Now, look at this from 2Timothy 2:20-21 (there's that chapter again):
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things,
he will be a vessel for honor
Now, look at Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him
Paul is speaking of abounding riches, bestowed upon vessels of
honor and glory, to those who are
known by His Name.
Now, how about Hebrews 2:9-10
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
There is much, much more that could be said about what Paul meant in Romans 8-11, but as I said, there is not enough space here.
The gist of what I've presented here is that Romans 10 is absolutely NOT in the context of conversion, and calling on the Name of the Lord is NOT supporting a sinner's prayer.
Whoever is known by His name, and endures to the end on a confession, will be a vessel of honor, and will be a joint-heir with Him
But that is only to those who have already believed in their heart unto righteousness
