Meaning, commentary and cross references
Romans 10:9
“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
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.
NIV · New International Version
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
WEB · World English Bible
that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
What does Romans 10:9 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,.... That is, if a man shall make a good, sincere, and hearty confession to God, before the church and people of God, and before the world, that Christ is his Lord and Saviour, whom he desires to serve, and to be saved by; and this as arising from a comfortable experience of the grace of God in his soul, and from a true faith in Christ in his heart, wherefore it follows, and shall believe in thine heart, that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved; for this article of Christ's resurrection includes the several other articles of faith: it supposes his death, and that supposes his life, and the obedience of it; and his…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Romans 10:1–11
(b.) Believing in the heart that God raised him from the dead. The profession of faith with the mouth, if there be not the power of it in the heart, is but a mockery; the root of it must be laid in an unfeigned assent to the revelation of the gospel concerning Christ, especially concerning his resurrection, which is the fundamental article of the Christian faith, for thereby he was declared to be the Son of God with power, and full evidence was given that God accepted his satisfaction. b. This is further illustrated (Rom 10:10), and the order inverted, because there must first be faith in the heart before there can be an acceptable confession with the mouth.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Romans 10:5–10
9. That if thou wilt confess, etc. Here is also an allusion, rather than a proper and strict quotation: for it is very probable that Moses used the word mouth, by taking a part for the whole, instead of the word face, or sight. But it was not unsuitable for the Apostle to allude to the word mouth, in this manner: -- "Since the Lord sets his word before our face, no doubt he calls upon us to confess it."
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Romans 10:6–12 (WEB)
6But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down); 7or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)” 8But 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: 9that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.
Cross references
- Luke 12:8
“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God;
- Acts 16:31
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
- Philippians 2:11
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Matthew 10:32–33
Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.
- 1 John 4:2–3
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
- 1 Peter 1:21
who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.
- Romans 8:34
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
- 1 Corinthians 15:14–18
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain.