Romans 10, Paul's concern for Israel

In Romans 9 Paul focused on the Jewish people and their reception to his message. He continues that theme here.

Romans 10:1-4

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 

Paul expresses his concern for the people of Israel, equating their zeal with a desire to establish their own righteousness.  By attempting to obtin righteousness based on zeal and works, reaching up to God, they did not realize that God was reaching down through the Messiah, Jesus.

Paul, as a former Pharisee, understands this attitude.

Romans 10:5-11
Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." 

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) "or `Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Paul emphasizes that the Jews do not need to reach out to God as much as accept God's offer, easily accessible.

The quote in verse 5 is from Lev. 18:5.  The next three quotes (in verses 6-8) come from Deut. 30:12-14.  The final quote, in verse 11, is from Isaiah 28:16.

Romans 10:12-13
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Paul returns to a common theme – ultimately there is no difference between Jew and Gentile for both must call on God.  The Old Testament passage quoted here is Joel 2:32.

Romans 10:14-15
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

This is a clarion call for missions, explaining Paul's desire to reach out and travel the Mediterranean world in order to speak to his Jewish brothers and sisters.

The quote in verse 15 is from Isaiah 52:7.

Romans 10:16-21
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 

But I ask: Did they not hear? 

Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? 

First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding." And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

God has been reaching out to the nation of Israel for some time, Paul says.  He cites a number of Jewish scriptures to make his point.  The quote in verse 16 is from Isaiah 53:1; quotes in verses 18-21 are from Psalm 19:4, Deut. 32:21, Isaiah 65:1  and Isaiah 65:2.