Romans 10:8 – Proclaiming the Word of Faith

But what does it say? “the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Truth to Learn

The gospel proclamation centers on faith, not works.

Behind the Words

“Word” is translated from the Greek word rhēma, which refers to “an utterance.” By implication it refers to a topic of discussion. In this case it is the topic of righteousness which is the result of faith.

The verb translated “preach” is kērussō, meaning “to proclaim or herald as a public crier would do.” It refers to loudly or forcefully proclaiming a truth. In this case it is the truth that righteousness comes by faith.

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told us, by slightly modifying a quotation from Deuteronomy 30, that the righteousness of faith is not a difficult thing. What he said, in effect, was that it is not like ascending into heaven to bring Christ and His righteousness down or like descending into the deep (the abyss) to bring Christ up from the dead. After all, these things are impossible for anyone except God Himself. But the righteousness of faith is not impossible. It is, in fact, very possible and very near at hand. It was, in fact, a topic of conversation among the Jews.

He says so as he continues with his quotation from Deuteronomy 30:14, the end of which says:

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

The meaning is that the doctrine was already so familiar, and so well understood, that it was actually in their mouth, that is, their language, their common conversation. Paul is saying that the righteousness of faith, which comes by the Word of Faith (the gospel), is something that the Jews had been talking about and learning about ever since Moses delivered the Law. In fact, this righteousness of faith has been spoken of among the Jews ever since Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. This righteousness is in believing in the Messiah. The problem with most of the Jews, however, is that they were so hung-up on obeying the Law that they totally missed the Messiah. They were trying to obtain the righteousness of works instead of the righteousness of faith.

The Word of Faith which Paul is proclaiming is that the Messiah (the Christ) has come and has paid the price of salvation by fulfilling the Law and then offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He is the Paschal Lamb that the Jews commemorated every year. This Paschal Lamb is the Jewish Messiah; He is the Christ, the anointed Son of God. All we have to do is to believe this gospel (good news) and openly declare that we believe. That’s how we obtain this righteousness of faith, and in the next verse Paul will state this very plainly and succinctly.

Application

Do you talk about the topic of salvation through belief in the Gospel? Do you openly proclaim this truth? Or do you proclaim that righteousness comes by obedience to rules and ordinances of the church? The difference is between preaching faith, producing life and preaching obedience, producing death.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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