Romans 10:6 kjv
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:)
Romans 10:6 nkjv
But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above)
Romans 10:6 niv
But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'?" (that is, to bring Christ down)
Romans 10:6 esv
But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)
Romans 10:6 nlt
But faith's way of getting right with God says, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?' (to bring Christ down to earth).
Romans 10 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 30:12 | It is not in heaven... or beyond the sea... but the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart... | Old Covenant law's accessibility, reinterpreted by Paul. |
| Rom 1:17 | For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." | Righteousness is revealed through faith. |
| Rom 3:21-22 | But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law... through faith in Jesus Christ. | Righteousness by faith is God's provision. |
| Rom 3:28 | For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. | Justification is solely by faith. |
| Rom 4:5 | And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. | Faith credited as righteousness. |
| Rom 5:1 | Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Faith brings justification and peace. |
| Gal 2:16 | we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ... | Contrast between law-works and faith. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith... not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Salvation is by grace through faith, not works. |
| Phil 3:9 | not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. | Desiring righteousness from God through faith. |
| Isa 64:6 | We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. | Human righteousness is insufficient. |
| Jer 23:23-24 | Am I a God near at hand... and not a God afar off? Can a man hide himself...? Do I not fill heaven and earth? | God's omnipresence; no need to ascend or descend. |
| John 3:13 | No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. | Christ alone has divine origin and access to heaven. |
| Eph 4:8-10 | He ascended on high... he also descended... that he might fill all things. | Christ's descent and ascent completing His work. |
| Heb 4:14 | Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God... | Christ as the ultimate mediator, no human ascension needed. |
| Heb 10:14 | For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. | Christ's finished work ensures perfection. |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven... by which we must be saved. | Salvation exclusively in Christ, who already came. |
| Deut 30:14 | But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may do it. | The word's accessibility in the Old Testament. |
| Matt 15:18 | But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart... | Connection between heart and words/thoughts. |
| Prov 4:23 | Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. | Importance of the heart's disposition. |
| Col 2:16-17 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you... regarding a festival... These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Legalistic striving superseded by Christ. |
| Rom 8:3-4 | For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son... in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us... | Christ accomplished what the law could not. |
| Acts 17:27-28 | that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us. | God is not distant, no searching required. |
Romans 10 verses
Romans 10 6 Meaning
Romans 10:6 declares that the righteousness that comes from faith speaks a different message than the righteousness based on law or human effort. It proclaims that there is no need for humanity to perform impossible tasks, like bringing Christ down from heaven, because Christ has already descended through the incarnation and accomplished salvation. It signifies the immediacy, accessibility, and sufficiency of salvation offered through belief in Jesus, contrasting with the striving and self-effort of a law-based righteousness.
Romans 10 6 Context
Romans chapter 10 is part of Paul's profound theological argument in chapters 9-11 concerning Israel's relationship with God's salvation plan. Having explained in chapters 1-8 how righteousness comes through faith in Christ for all, Paul addresses why Israel, God's chosen people, largely rejected their Messiah. Chapter 9 affirms God's sovereign election, while Chapter 10 highlights Israel's failure due to seeking righteousness by law (human effort) rather than by faith. Verse 6 stands in direct contrast to verse 5, which quotes Moses regarding the righteousness of the law ("the one who does them shall live by them"). Paul juxtaposes this with the nature of "righteousness based on faith," arguing that its requirements are not difficult or unattainable like ascending to heaven or descending to the abyss, but are already fulfilled and near through Christ. It implicitly counters a prevalent Jewish legalistic understanding that required diligent human effort and meritorious works to attain God's favor and righteousness.
Romans 10 6 Word analysis
- But the righteousness based on faith: The phrase contrasts sharply with the law's righteousness mentioned in Rom 10:5. "Righteousness" (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē) refers to God's attribute of rightness and the standing He grants to believers. "Based on faith" (ἐκ πίστεως, ek pisteōs) indicates its source is divine initiative, appropriated through trust in Christ, not human achievement.
- says: (λέγει, legei) This personifies "righteousness based on faith," giving it an active voice. It expresses the core teaching and spirit of this approach to God.
- Do not say in your heart: (Μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, Mē eipēs en tē kardia sou) Directly quotes Deut 30:14. "Heart" (καρδίᾳ, kardia) represents the innermost being—the seat of thought, intention, and will. It warns against internalizing or mentally embracing futile religious ideas or doubts about the accessibility of salvation.
- 'Who will ascend into heaven?': (Τίς ἀναβήσεται εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν; Tis anabēsetai eis ton ouranon?) This rhetorical question, also from Deut 30:12, traditionally referred to seeking inaccessible wisdom or God's commandments in distant realms. Paul reinterprets it metaphorically. It signifies the futility of human striving to bridge the divine-human gap or to "reach" Christ through human works. It implies attempting to achieve what God alone can do.
- (that is, to bring Christ down): (τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν Χριστὸν καταγαγεῖν, tout' estin Christon katagagein) This is Paul's inspired interpretative gloss on the Old Testament passage, directly applying it to Christ. "To bring down" (καταγαγεῖν, katagagein) emphasizes that there is no need for human action to compel Christ's presence or action, for He has already descended through the incarnation (John 1:14; Phil 2:6-8) and completed His saving work. This clause highlights that the seemingly impossible task humanity might attempt has already been fulfilled by Christ himself.
Romans 10 6 Bonus section
The specific choice of "say in your heart" reflects the depth of conviction and belief. It's not just an outward confession but an inward settled truth. The rhetorical questions posed in verses 6-7 effectively serve as a critique against human religious pride and the natural human tendency to assume one must do something extraordinary to earn salvation or impress God. Paul here redirects the focus from human performance to divine provision. By stating what faith does not say, Paul indirectly but clearly affirms what faith does say: that Christ is already present, His work is done, and salvation is accessible now.
Romans 10 6 Commentary
Romans 10:6 powerfully asserts the distinctive nature of righteousness derived from faith in contrast to self-generated righteousness through law-keeping. Paul adapts Deut 30:12 to explain that the Christian message, and thus the path to righteousness, is neither obscure nor demanding impossible feats from humanity. The questions "Who will ascend into heaven?" and "Who will descend into the abyss?" (v.7) represent human striving for something external, elusive, or grand, thinking they must initiate God's saving act. Paul clarifies that in the realm of faith, these efforts are not just unnecessary, but redundant. Christ has already ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and descended from it (John 3:13, Eph 4:9) through His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. His completed work makes righteousness profoundly accessible, eliminating the need for anyone to attempt to "bring Christ down" or "raise Him from the dead." The message of faith is near, in one's mouth and heart, emphasizing its simplicity and immediate availability to all who believe. This verse dismantles the pride of self-righteousness by proclaiming that salvation is fully accomplished by Christ and received by humble faith, not by human performance.