Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 10:6

"But the righteousness which is of faith saith thus, Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down:)" — Romans 10:6 (ASV)

The thread of the discourse in the next section (vv.5–13) continues the emphasis on “everyone who believes.” This is developed in two ways: first, by showing that the principle of faith is amply set forth in the OT—in fact, in the pages of Moses—and then by expressly indicating, in line with 1:16, that “everyone” includes Gentiles as well as Jews.

Paul deals first with the negative side of the attainment of righteousness by citing a passage (Leviticus 18:5) that calls for obedience and performance of the will of God as contained in his statutes and ordinances. The one who complies will live. Paul had already dealt with Lev 18:5 in Gal 3:12. In both letters the emphasis in this verse falls on doing if one expects to gain life (cf. 2:13). The dark side of the picture is that a curse rests on anyone who fails to meet the law’s demands. The upshot of the matter is that the course being pursued by Israel— the attempt to gain righteousness for themselves by keeping the law (v.3)— cannot bring life because of human weakness and imperfection. It can only lead to self-deception and pride.

Next Paul addresses himself to the positive approach, for which purpose he makes use of another passage from Moses , this one designed to describe “the righteousness that is by faith.” At first sight, this passage seems inappropriate, since neither “righteousness” nor “faith” can be found here, and there is heavy emphasis on doing, as in Lev 18:5. But the context helps us, for the passage presupposes a heart attitude of loving obedience rather than a legalistic attempt to attain righteousness. The whole burden of the passage is to discourage the idea that doing God’s will means to aspire after something that is too difficult and out of reach. Actually, if life is attuned to God, his will is as near as the mouth and heart (the mouth as the organ that repeats the word of God and turns it back to him in prayer and praise; the heart as the source of desire to please him).

Paul then applies the reference to heaven (v.6) in order to emphasize certain aspects of the Gospel. There is no need to try to ascend to heaven to gain spiritual knowledge or acceptance, for Christ has come from heaven to proclaim and effect salvation for the world. In v.7 Paul substitutes “the deep” (“the abyss”) for “the sea” in Dt 30, changing the figure from one of distance to one of depth—thus making the contrast with heaven sharper. This affords opportunity to think of Christ as going down into death as a prelude to resurrection. Apparently lost to us by death, he has been returned to us by resurrection. This means that our grasp of the righteousness of God, with his Son as the object of our faith, is not difficult. Everything is of him. Our part is to believe. The saving message lies at hand, waiting to be received.