In Romans 10 How Does Pauls Teaching On Faith And Works Challenge Our Understanding Of Righteousness?
Paul’s Teaching on Faith and Works in Romans 10: Challenging Our Understanding of Righteousness
The question of how a person is made right with God—what theologians call "righteousness"—is at the heart of the Apostle Paul’s message in Romans 10. This chapter offers one of the clearest biblical explanations of the relationship between faith, works, and righteousness, and it continues to shape Christian understanding today.
The Context: Zeal Without Knowledge
Paul begins Romans 10 by expressing his deep concern for his fellow Israelites, who have zeal for God but lack the proper understanding regarding righteousness:
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. - Romans 10:2-3 ASV
Many of the Jews Paul addresses were relying on their own efforts to keep the law (works) as a means of attaining righteousness before God. Paul argues that this approach is misguided because it does not recognize the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ.
Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law
Paul makes a powerful statement about Jesus’ role in God’s plan:
For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth. - Romans 10:4 ASV
This means that Jesus is the goal, or fulfillment, of the law’s demands. Righteousness is no longer achieved through human effort, but through faith in Christ. The law pointed toward Christ, but could not, in itself, impart righteousness.
Righteousness by Faith, Not by Works
Paul further contrasts two ways of seeking righteousness—by the law (works) or by faith:
For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby. But the righteousness which is of faith saith thus... If thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:5, 9 ASV
Paul draws from the Old Testament to show the impossibility of achieving righteousness through perfect law-keeping. He asserts that true righteousness comes through believing and confessing Jesus as Lord.
The Simplicity and Universality of Faith
Paul emphasizes the accessibility of salvation:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. - Romans 10:13 ASV
This offer is open to all, regardless of background or prior works. The only requirement is faith—a trust in Christ’s finished work.
Faith and Works: A Biblical Balance
While Paul rejects works as the basis for righteousness, he does not mean that works are unimportant. Instead, works are the fruit of genuine faith. As James also writes,
Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. - James 2:17 ASV
Paul’s emphasis is that works flow from faith—not the other way around. Righteousness is received by faith alone, but that faith is never alone; it results in a transformed life.
Challenging Our Understanding of Righteousness
Romans 10 challenges any attempt to earn favor with God through personal effort. Paul’s message compels us to abandon self-righteousness and humble ourselves, trusting completely in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. As Paul writes elsewhere:
For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. - Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV
True righteousness is a gift, received by grace through faith. This understanding leads to gratitude, assurance, and a desire to live for Christ—not to earn salvation, but to honor the One who freely gives it.