Exegesis of Romans 10:9

Exegesis of Romans 10:9

Exegesis

Exegesis is the ability to ask the questions about the biblical text in order to understand the intended meanings of the author. It is related to both what the author said in the content itself and why did he said so at any provided situation which is the text's literary context (Fee, 2002). There are different parameters through which an exegesis of Biblical text is carried out. These parameters include surveying the historical context, verifying the limitations of the passage, becoming acquainted with the passage, analyzing the sentence structures, establishing the text, analysis of grammar and the significant words and researching its historical background (Fee, 2002). This paper intends to do the exegesis of Romans 10: 9.

Translation

As translated in the New American Standard Bible passage says: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”American Standard Version (1901) also has “Jesus is Lord” while the New English Bible, the Revised Standard Version, Today's English Version, the New International Version translation and Williams have “Jesus is Lord.” Ryrie follows the King James Version (King James), which translates the vital phrase, “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus” (Johnson, 2008). Then insists that one must confess” Jesus as God ... the God- man,” which, of course, is true. However, this is not the point of this passage. Again, kurios can assume that means God in the sense of a sovereign government. The opinion of lordship sees this phrase recognition or a “clear agreement” (homologeo, “confess”) of that Jesus is Lord and Master of one.

The Context

Traditionally the first thing to look at while examining any text is the context in which it is written. As a whole the Books of Romans was written to describe the Gospel of Jesus Christ along with its authority to save to Roman Christians (Rom. 1:16). Chapters 1-2 show the sinfulness of all men. Chapters 3-4 are about the great discourse of Paul on explanation by faith alone in Christ alone. Chapters 5-8 compact with consecration and chapter's 9-11 address the nation of Israel. On its face, then, cautiousness is needed about using any passage directly out of chapters 5-11 to explain how a person is justified. This is especially true of chapters 9-11, since Israel in particular is in view.

The Terminology

Beyond the context, another major red flag in taking these verses as a basic presentation of the Gospel is the words Paul uses. The four verbs are “confess,” “believe,” “justify,” and “save.” The heart has been touched and transformed by God, believe in Him now it has had the experience of repentance, and renouncing all human pretension, has relied unconditionally and forever in Christ as their Lord and Savior. His mouth, therefore, expresses, confesses, openly, in front of everyone, what happened in his life. None of this will ever be disappointed.

The Text

'[I]if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in ...