Romans 10:9

"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:"

Key Reflection

In Romans 10:9, Paul draws from Deuteronomy 30:14 to emphasize that faith in Jesus is accessible and within everyone's grasp. The phrase "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" originally referred to the Torah's presence among the Israelites, signifying its availability for all who wished to obey it. For Paul’s audience, this would have been a powerful reminder that just as the Law was accessible through teaching and internalization, so too was the gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. That if thou shalt confess. The word here rendered confess--(omologhshv)--is often rendered profess. Mt 7:23, "Then will I profess to them I never knew you." Tit 1:16; Tit 3:14; Ro 1:22; 1 Ti 2:10; 6:12,13,21; Heb 3:1, etc. It properly means, to speak that which agrees with something which others speak or maintain. Thus confession or profession expresses our agreement or concord with what God holds to be true, and what he declares to be true.

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