Romans 10 13

Romans 10:13 kjv

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 nkjv

For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

Romans 10:13 niv

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 10:13 esv

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 10:13 nlt

For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."

Romans 10 verses

Romans 10 13 Meaning

Romans 10:13 succinctly declares that salvation is available to everyone, regardless of background, who genuinely invokes the authority, character, and person of the Lord. It signifies a humble and sincere appeal to Jesus Christ's divine power and redemptive work as the exclusive means to be delivered from sin, its penalties, and to receive eternal life.

Romans 10 13 Context

Romans 10:13 is embedded within Paul's theological explanation of God's covenant faithfulness, especially concerning Israel's salvation, in chapters 9-11 of his epistle to the Romans. Having lamented Israel's spiritual blindness and their pursuit of righteousness through adherence to the Law rather than faith (Rom 9:30-33), Paul pivots to clearly articulate the pathway to righteousness by faith. Verses 9-10 are pivotal, outlining that salvation comes through an internal belief in Christ's resurrection and an outward confession of Jesus as Lord. Verse 13 then reinforces and expands this principle by quoting Joel 2:32 (LXX Joel 3:5), highlighting the universal scope of this promise. Paul uses this Old Testament prophecy to assert that the same gracious call for deliverance available through YHWH in the Old Covenant is now fully realized and accessible through belief in Jesus as "Lord" in the New Covenant. This directly counters any exclusivist Jewish views that salvation was tied only to ethnic identity or legal observance, presenting a new covenant based on accessible faith to all people. The historical context includes the Roman Empire's diverse population and the spread of early Christian teachings that challenged existing religious and cultural norms, especially regarding who could truly belong to God's people.

Romans 10 13 Word analysis

• For (γαρ - gar): A conjunction serving as an explanation or justification. It introduces the reason why the principles in the preceding verses (especially Rom 10:9-12 regarding belief, confession, and the absence of distinction) are true: because the prophetic word declares a universal call to salvation.

• Whosoever (πας - pas): This Greek term translates to "all," "everyone," or "any." Its use here signifies an absolute, unqualified universality of the promise. It underscores that the divine offer of salvation transcends all boundaries—ethnic, social, gender, or past religious affiliation—dismantling any concept of an exclusive group for salvation.

• Shall call upon (επικαλεσηται - epikalesētai): This verb is in the middle voice, indicating an action done by someone for their own benefit or involving themselves personally. It means "to invoke," "to appeal to for help," or "to call upon by name." It suggests a sincere, active, and personal turning to the Lord for deliverance and salvation, rooted in genuine faith and dependence, not a superficial or mere lip-service utterance.

• The name (το ονομα - to onoma): In the biblical understanding, "the name" is far more than a simple identifier or title. It encapsulates the complete person—their essence, character, authority, power, reputation, and presence. To call upon the name of the Lord means to appeal to God's inherent being, His revealed attributes, and His supreme authority as the only one capable of salvation.

• Of the Lord (Κυριου - Kyriou): This is arguably the most theologically significant term here. In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament which Paul often quotes, Kyrios is predominantly used to translate the divine covenant name of God, YHWH. Paul's direct quotation from Joel 2:32, where "the Lord" refers to YHWH, means he is unequivocally applying this Old Testament promise and divine prerogative directly to Jesus Christ. This unequivocally asserts Christ's deity, His shared identity and authority with the God of Israel, and His exclusive right to deliver salvation. It also served as an implicit challenge to any other claims of "lordship" in the Roman world, such as Caesar.

• Shall be saved (σωθησεται - sōthēsetai): This verb is in the future tense and passive voice, indicating a definitive outcome that is accomplished by an external divine agent (God/Christ) on behalf of the one who calls. "Saved" here is comprehensive, encompassing deliverance from the penalty and power of sin, spiritual healing and restoration, preservation from eternal judgment, and entry into the full blessing of eternal life and communion with God in His Kingdom. It represents a complete and divinely guaranteed deliverance.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "For whosoever shall call upon": This phrase introduces the inclusive and universally accessible nature of salvation. The "whosoever" highlights that the path is not restricted by birth or status, and "shall call upon" specifies the active, volitional, and faith-driven response required from the individual.
  • "...the name of the Lord...": This designates the ultimate object of saving faith. It stresses that salvation is uniquely and inextricably linked to the person, character, and divine authority of Jesus Christ, affirming His divine identity by applying an Old Testament promise originally made about YHWH to Him.
  • "...shall be saved.": This concluding phrase offers an absolute and unwavering promise. It underscores the certainty of salvation for those who genuinely call upon the Lord, highlighting God's faithfulness and power to deliver on His covenant promises, guaranteeing a full and final redemption.

Romans 10 13 Bonus section

The profound theological implication of Paul applying the Septuagint's "Kyrios" (YHWH in Hebrew) from Joel 2:32 directly to Jesus in Romans 10:13 cannot be overstated. This demonstrates an early and high Christology within the apostolic teaching, asserting Jesus' divine nature and authority to grant salvation. This claim was revolutionary and potentially provocative both for Jewish audiences (who held YHWH as unique) and for Roman society (where Caesar was proclaimed "Lord"). For the early church, identifying Jesus as "the Lord" became a central confessional statement and distinguished believers as those whose ultimate allegiance was to Christ, not Caesar or any other deity. The concept of "calling on the name of the Lord" was not merely individual but often carried a public dimension, signifying adherence to a specific group—the followers of Christ (Acts 9:14, 1 Cor 1:2). This public declaration, sometimes connected with baptism (Acts 22:16), affirmed a believer's commitment and newfound identity in Christ.

Romans 10 13 Commentary

Romans 10:13 stands as a pivotal declaration in Paul's presentation of the Gospel, bridging Old Testament prophecy with New Testament reality. By quoting Joel 2:32, Paul demonstrates that God's plan for salvation, originally promised through the name of YHWH, is now gloriously fulfilled and universally accessible through the name of Jesus Christ. This application of "Lord" to Jesus in a passage referring to YHWH strongly establishes Christ's divine authority and identity with God, a cornerstone of Christian theology. The "calling upon" is not a magical incantation but an outward, personal act of faith that flows from the heart's belief in Jesus (as elaborated in Rom 10:9-10). It signifies a complete reliance on Christ's saving work and a heartfelt appeal to His power and character. This verse dismantles all barriers—ethnic, social, or religious—affirming that salvation is by God's grace, through personal faith in Jesus as Lord, and is freely offered to everyone who sincerely reaches out to Him. It simplifies the path to salvation, making it available to anyone who will humble themselves and invoke the name of the one true Savior. Practically, this verse assures the believer of their secure salvation and empowers the evangelist with the simple, universally applicable message of Christ. It encourages open and public declaration of one's faith, as calling upon the Lord implies acknowledging His Lordship before others.