Romans 10:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 10:1-11

The scope of the apostle in this part of the chapter is to show the vast difference between the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith, and the great pre-eminence of the righteousness of faith above that of the law; that he might induce and persuade the Jews to believe in Christ, aggravate the folly and sin of those that refused, and justify God in the rejection of such refusers. I. Paul here professes his good affection to the Jews, with the reason of it (Rom. 10:1, 2), where... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 10:1-13

10:1-13 Brothers, the desire of my heart for the Jews and my prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I do say this for them--that they do have a zeal for God, but it is not a zeal which is based on a real knowledge. For they do not realize that a man can only achieve the status of righteousness by God's gift, and they seek to establish their own status, and so they have not submitted themselves to that power of God which alone can make them righteous in his sight. For Christ is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 10:1

Brethren, my heart's desire ,.... The apostle having suggested, that a few of the Jews only should be called and saved; that the far greater part should be rejected; that the Israelites who sought for righteousness did not attain it when the Gentiles did, but stumbled and fell at Christ, and would be ashamed and confounded; and knowing the prejudices of that people against him, therefore lest what he had said, or should say upon this subject, should be thought to arise from hatred and ill... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 10:1

My heart's desire, etc. - Though the apostle knew that the Jews were now in a state of rejection, yet he knew also that they were in this state through their own obstinacy, and that God was still waiting to be gracious, and consequently, that they might still repent and turn to him. Of his concern for their salvation he had already given ample proof, when he was willing to become a sacrifice for their welfare, see Romans 9:3 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 10:1

Verse 1 1.We here see with what solicitude the holy man obviated offenses; for in order to soften whatever sharpness there may have been in his manner of explaining the rejection of the Jews, he still testifies, as before, his goodwill towards them, and proves it by the effect; for their salvation was an object of concern to him before the Lord, and such a feeling arises only from genuine love. It may be at the same time that he was also induced by another reason to testify his love towards the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1

Brethren, my heart's desire ( εὐδοκία , expressing good will ) and prayer to God for them ( for Israel, as in the Textus Receptus, has no good support) is, that they may be saved (literally, is unto salvation ) . "Non orasset Paulus, si absolute reprobati essent" (Bengel). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1

Solicitude and supplication for the salvation of sinners. Paul was himself a Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. His first ministry was to Israelites, and, when upon his missionary tours, he made it his first business to address the frequenters of the synagogues. By his training and by his associations, and also by his evangelistic intercourse with his countrymen, he understood the Jewish mind, and how to deal with it. From the Jews he met with obstacles, opposition, and persecution; and he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1

Anxiety for the salvation of our fellows. It is the lot of reformers to be twitted as renegades, and to be exposed to the taunt of indifference to the welfare of their old companions. So the apostle was charged with noxiously subverting ancient customs, and he found it necessary to justify himself even to Jewish Christians against the reproach of wanton molestation of the hopes of Israel. It is difficult for prejudice in its blind conservatism to see that the change proposed is intended... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1-4

Israel's strength and weakness. The apostle returns again to the tender solicitude for the spiritual welfare of Israel which he had already expressed in the beginning of the ninth chapter. He was no blind bigot. He could recognize the good qualities even of those from whom he differed. He knew how far Israel had departed from the truth of God, and yet he is quick to perceive that, even amid their errors and sins, there is much that is commendable in their character. What an example for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1-11

The freeness of salvation. The apostle's heart yearns for his people. For he recognizes their sincerity in much of their grievous mistaking of the ways of God. They had zeal for God, though the zeal was unreasonable and irreligious. Unreasonable; for how can man make himself just before God, guilty and sinful as he is? and why should the Jew think that, if this were possible, only one small portion of the race should be suffered to work out its righteousness? Irreligious; for instead of... read more

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