Romans 10: Eyewitness Stories
What was the difference between Paul’s love for Jews and his love for all people?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
Author’s Paraphrase
Romans 10:1 My Christian friends, my heart’s desire and constant prayer is for everyone in Israel to be saved.
King James
Romans 10:1 My Christian friends, my heart’s desire and constant prayer is for everyone in Israel to be saved.
How can people have a passion for God and miss the truth?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
Author’s Paraphrase
Romans 10:2 I know they have a passion for God, but they’re missing the truth.
King James
Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
How dangerous might it sometimes be for us to do what we think is right?
Author’s Thoughts
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Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right but ends in death.
Romans 10:3 Ignorant of God’s nature and desire, they do what is right in their own eyes. They believe following a few rules of law should make them acceptable to God, but what they really need is a change of heart.
King James
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
What must happen before we can fully trust the Lord?
Author’s Thoughts
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Romans 10:4 When we have complete trust in Jesus Christ, both in what he says and what he does, our desires change to always wanting to please God. This ends the law’s need to force our good behavior.
King James
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Sometimes obedience gets us into trouble. How can that be enjoyable?
Author’s Thoughts
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Acts 5:41 The apostles left the assembly rejoicing that their flogging was bringing recognition and honor to Jesus’ name.
Romans 10:5 Moses described the benefit of heeding God’s commands, saying the obedient would enjoy life.
King James
Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Jesus said we can’t be his disciple if we’re not willing to give up everything. What reasons do we have to give up what we want?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Matthew 16:24 Then he taught his disciples. “If anyone wants to follow me, he must sacrifice his selfish desires. Take up your cross, and then you can follow me. “
Matthew 19:27–29 Simon Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you. What does that do for us?”
“There will be a time when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, and you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the tribes of Israel. Those who have sacrificed their homes, relatives, or possessions for my sake will receive a hundred times more and will have eternal life.”
Luke 14:26 “Any man who follows me must be willing to forsake father and mother, wife, brothers and sisters, and children. You must even be willing to give up your own life or you cannot be my disciple.”
Romans 10:6–7 But faith in Christ has a priority different from works. Our focus should never be on what we want, as if we could bring Christ down from Heaven or bring him up from the abyss, thinking he would grant all our wishes.
King James
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 19:27–29 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Romans 10:6–7 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Why might we assume that people in church know what God wants? Why might that assumption be wrong?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
Author’s Paraphrase
Romans 10:8 What did Moses say? You already know what God wants. His word is in your heart, on the tip of your tongue, waiting to be followed if you would just do it.
King James
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
What hinders our knowing what God wants and doing it?
Author’s Thoughts
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Romans 10:9 I am giving you a choice, and your response determines whether my word will be a blessing or a curse. Go ahead. Speak the truth with your mouth, and trust in your heart the words and deeds of Jesus Christ, which show the value of our total commitment to please God, since God raised him from the dead. Do this, and you will be saved.
King James
Romans 10:9 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.
Why do actions speak louder than words?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Matthew 21:28–31 “Tell me what you think. A man told the older of two sons to go work in his vineyard. The son said, ‘No. I have other things to do.’ Later, he changed his mind and went. The man made the same request of the younger son, who said, ‘Yes, sir. I will.’ But he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“Obviously, the older son.”
“I guarantee,” Jesus said, “that tax collectors and prostitutes will reach the Kingdom of God ahead of you.”
Romans 10:10 With our mouths, we confess what we believe, but with our actions, we show how our lives have been changed, which follows the truth we know in our hearts.
King James
Matthew 21:28–31 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?
They say unto him, The first.
Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Why might Christians want to conceal their relationship with Jesus?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Matthew 5:15–16 “People do not light a lamp and hide it under a bowl. It is placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, you should let your kindness shine before men so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Luke 9:26 “Those who are ashamed of me and my words will cause the Son of Man to be ashamed of them when he comes in glory and in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”
Romans 10:11 As the Scripture says, People who believe God will never be sorry.
2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore, don’t hesitate to tell how God has changed your life. Don’t be ashamed of the message you heard from me, his prisoner. In his mighty power, accept whatever afflictions come from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:15 Diligently study so you will be recognized by God and others as one who correctly interprets Scripture, one who need not be ashamed.
King James
Matthew 5:15–16 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Why do people distinguish themselves from others when God does not?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Romans 10:12 God makes no distinctions between different groups of people. He is a generous giver, wanting to share his riches with all who place their trust in him.
King James
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
What does it mean to “call upon the name of the Lord”?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Romans 10:13 Everyone who comes under the Lord’s direction and authority will be saved.
King James
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Why should we share our stories about what Christ has done for us?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Matthew 5:13 “You are like the salt of the earth,” Jesus said. “But if salt no longer tastes like salt, where is its seasoning value? It’s worthless, so it’s thrown out and people walk on it.”
Matthew 10:32–33 “If anyone publicly acknowledges me before men, I will publicly acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But anyone who denies me before men I will deny before my Father in heaven.”
John 15:8 “When you bear much fruit, you glorify my Father and show that you are my disciples.”
Romans 10:14 But how can people believe Jesus when they haven’t heard what he said and did? They can’t—not unless you’re willing to tell your stories about what Jesus has done for you.
1 Corinthians 1:6 The truth about Jesus is revealed through your life story.
King James
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Matthew 10:32–33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
1 Corinthians 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
How much effort should we put into reaching people with our testimonies?
Author’s Thoughts
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Matthew 7:6 “Do not give something holy to dogs. They will turn and attack, tearing you to pieces. Do not toss your pearls to pigs. They will only trample them under their feet.”
Romans 10:15 And how in the world are they going to hear your stories if you don’t go to where they are and use a language they can understand? As the prophet Isaiah has said, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of messengers with great stories from their valleys. They bring peace and salvation to people who haven’t heard about God’s might and love, saying to Zion, “Your God is King.”
King James
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Why might some people not want to hear good news?
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John 3:19 “This is why God condemns people: Light has come into the world, but people love the darkness, not the light, because their deeds are evil. “
John 8:43 “Why don’t you understand what I say? I will tell you why. You do not want to hear my message.”
Romans 10:16 Don’t expect everybody to listen to you. The prophet Isaiah said, Who has believed our message? as if wondering if anybody could accept the wonderful news.
King James
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
How can a word be heard but not embraced?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Romans 10:17 People must hear the Word of God before they can believe it.
King James
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Why didn’t some Israelites believe God’s word?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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2 Kings 17:14–15 Nevertheless, they would not hear, refusing to listen just like their ancestors who did not believe in the Lord their God. They rejected God’s statutes and the agreement made with their ancestors. Ignoring his warnings, they pursued worthless goals and became worthless themselves. They joined the fellowship of the godless after God had said to not be like them.
Psalm 95:8 Don’t resist God like your ancestors did at Meribah, as they did that day in the wilderness at Massah.
Isaiah 6:9–10 The Lord said to deliver this message to the people: You listen but do not understand. You see but have no recognition. Harden the hearts of these people and close their ears and cover their eyes so they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts and be forced to turn to me and be healed.
Romans 10:18 If I ask whether the Israelites have heard the message, I have to say they have. Messengers have spoken God’s words throughout the earth.
King James
2 Kings 17:14–15 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. 15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.
Psalm 95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Isaiah 6:9–10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
How might unbelievers provoke jealousy among Christians?
Author’s Thoughts
Authors’s insights pending.
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Romans 10:19 Surely, Israel did know. God said through the mouth of Moses, I will make this nation jealous of people you thought were inferior. You’ll be upset when you see a pagan nation doing better than you.
King James
Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
How can people find God when they aren’t even looking?
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Isaiah 65:1 People who aren’t looking have found me. I am revealed to those who aren’t seeking help. I have said, “Here I am,” to nations that proclaim no allegiance to me.
John 6:44 “People cannot come to me unless the Father draws them, and I will raise them up on the last day.”
Romans 10:20 Isaiah boldly spoke for God, saying, People who aren’t looking have found me. I am revealed to those who aren’t seeking help. I have said, ‘Here I am,’ to nations that proclaim no allegiance to me.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow in keeping his promise, not like some people think. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, giving time for everyone to repent.
King James
Isaiah 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Romans 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
In what ways do you think a religion is affected by governmental support?
Author’s Thoughts
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Romans 10:20 Isaiah boldly spoke for God, saying, People who aren’t looking have found me. I am revealed to those who aren’t seeking help. I have said, ‘Here I am,’ to nations that proclaim no allegiance to me.
King James
Romans 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
What motivated the Israelites who didn’t respond when God reached out to them?
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Isaiah 65:2 am always reaching out, but the people of Israel go their own way, disobedient and rebellious, doing what is right in their own eyes.
Romans 10:21 God said, I am always reaching out, but the people of Israel go their own way, disobedient and rebellious, doing what is right in their own eyes.
King James
Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
Romans 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.