Introduction:

 

“Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved” is one of the most popular phrases Christians use all of the time. It comes from a passage in Paul’s book of Romans. In that passage Paul states, “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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 KJV. Many have interpreted this verse to mean that if someone doesn’t call upon the name of the Lord, then they won’t have eternal salvation, but is that truly Paul’s intention in this verse? In order to have an answer, we must look at the context.

 

Objections:

 

Firstly, there’s a few objections one can make to interpreting Romans 10:9-10 as speaking about “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus” as a condition for salvation. 

 

1. “Believing” for salvation is mentioned 200 times in the Bible. But the presence of “confessing” for salvation in the Bible is lacking compared to the abundance of verses that state the only condition for salvation is belief. 

 

2. The verse specifically states “confess with thy mouth,” which means it would be an impossibility for a mute person to become saved according to this interpretation. A mute person cannot speak, and therefore, could not confess with their mouth. Are we to say that even if they believed they cannot be saved due to their disability?

 

3. “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:” (John 12:42 KJV)

 

“Nevertheless many, even of the rulers, believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be excluded from the synagogue;” (John 12:42 NASB)

 

Finally, in John 12:42 there was a group of chief rulers that believed in Jesus but did not confess Him out of fear of being kicked out of the synagogue. Yet, according to John they “believed” (pisteuō). John repeatedly says in his Gospel that belief is the only condition for salvation (John 20:31). These people were saved if the same Greek construction is interpreted consistently throughout John’s book. So, they were saved without confessing Jesus with their mouths.

 

Romans 10:9-10 Context:

 

Now, in order to correctly interpret Romans 10:9-10 we must look at the context. Before applying Romans 10:9-10 to us, we must look at verse one of Romans 10:

 

“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1 KJV)

 

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” (Romans 10:1 NASB)

 

So, is the salvation in Romans 10 salvation of the Gentiles? No, it is the salvation of Israel according to verse 1. According to Paul in this verse, he is speaking about Israel’s salvation. 

 

“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 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. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10:1-4 KJV)

 

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:1-4 NASB)

 

When the Apostle Paul wrote Romans, unbelieving Israel was still operating her Temple according to the Law of Moses (cf. Hebrews 8:4). Israel was still offering animal sacrifices and ignoring Jesus Christ. Paul could testify (bear them record) that Israel was zealous for God. However, Paul stated that their zeal was not based on knowledge. They did not know the righteousness that comes from God. The people of Israel did not understand God’s righteousness, which is why they were seeking to establish their own righteousness. They didn't place themselves under God’s righteousness that God provides through Christ by faith. 

 

“For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 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.) 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;” (Romans 10:5-8 KJV)

 

“For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 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 are preaching,” (Romans 10:5-8 NASB)

 

In verse 5, Paul writes that “the man which doeth those things shall live by them” (quoting Leviticus 18:5; cf. Nehemiah 9:29; Ezekiel 20:11). This is the righteousness which is of the Law A man who keeps the Law is righteous and justified before God. However, it is impossible to keep the entire law (Romans 3:19-20; James 2:10). Only Jesus was able to fully keep the law. Unbelieving Israel believed they could establish their own righteousness through the law. However, Paul is telling them that they had not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness in the Person of Jesus Christ. 

 

In verses 6-8, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30:10-14 which states:

 

“If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:10-14 KJV)

 

Notice how Paul interpreted that Mosaic passage in verses 6-8:

 

“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend to 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.)”

 

When God delivered the Mosaic Law to Israel through Moses back in Exodus, Israel was without excuse. Moses said in Deuteronomy 30:14, “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy  mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” Israel knew exactly what God demanded of her. God did not leave Israel to wonder what He wanted her to do. As Paul stated, a man (Jesus) did come down from heaven and did come up from the grave to tell Israel everything that God had expected of them at that time. However, the Jews were so preoccupied with their religious activities and their self-righteousness that they could not see that their Scriptures validated Jesus as the Messiah. 

“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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)

 

“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.” (Romans 10:9–10 NASB)

 

In order to understand this verse we must understand where Paul is quoting from in the Old Testament. In both Romans 10:9-10 and Romans 10:13 Paul is quoting from Joel 2:32:

 

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 KJV)

 

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NASB)

 

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” (Joel 2:32 KJV)

 

“And it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, just as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.” (Joel 2:32 NASB)

 

Noting the Jewish orientation of Romans 10 according to verse 1, what do these passages mean?

 

Joel 2:32 is a passage about the Tribulation (“Day of the Lord”; Joel 2:30-31). Knowing the audience is Israel, Joel 2:32 is the nation of Israel calling, confessing, calling on Christ to save (deliver) them at the end of the Great Tribulation period. Jesus describes this in the Gospel of Matthew:

 

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23:37-39 KJV)

 

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:37-39 NASB)

 

In a final lament over the city of Jerusalem, Jesus states His desire for that nation. Jerusalem, the capital, represented the entire nation, and people there had killed prophets and stoned those sent to them (cf. Matthew 23:34; 21:35). He longed to gather the nation together much as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. The nation, unlike chicks that naturally run to their mother when there is danger, wilfully refused to turn to the Lord. They were responsible to make a choice and their choice brought condemnation. The result was their house was left desolate. Their “house” likely refers to their city. 

 

However, Jesus was not done with the city. Though He would soon depart (John 13:33). At a future time He will be seen again (Zechariah 12:10) and will be accepted, not rejected. On that day the nation will say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26; Matthew 21:9 [the crowd publicly confess Jesus by that statement]). Matthew 23 is directly before the Tribulation passages of Matthew 24. 

 

Conclusion:

 

Therefore, if you understand the Bible in context, what you’ll discover is Romans 10:9-10 has absolutely nothing to do with a church age believer trusting in Christ and confessing Jesus to get saved. What it has to do with is Israel publically fulfilling a condition by acknowledging Christ at the end of the tribulation period. 

 

In summary, “calling on the name of the Lord” in Romans 10:9-10 has to do with Israel’s public confession for deliverance. This is shown for a few reasons:

 

1. Israel is in view in the passage of Romans 10 (v. 1).

 

2. Romans 10:9-10, 13 is a quotation from Joel 2:32 which is a passage about Israel being delivered at the end of the Tribulation by calling on the name of the Lord.

 

3. Matthew 23:37-39, another Tribulation passage, further shows the concept being laid out in Romans 10:9-10, 13 and Joel 2:32, where Israel will publicly confess Jesus for deliverance and restoration.