Devine Scripture

Romans 10:4

What does Romans 10:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 10:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 10:4 means

Paul declares that Christ is the end—the goal and fulfillment—of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. The law pointed forward, revealing God’s standards and our need; Christ brings that storyline to its intended completion. Righteousness is not achieved by law-keeping but received through faith in Him. This does not demean the law; it shows its purpose was to lead to Christ. The universality is striking: “to every one that believeth.” Jew and Gentile alike find right standing with God in the same way. This verse centers the gospel: Christ’s person and work, received by faith, accomplishes what the law could only anticipate.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who has faith.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For Christ is an end of law for righteousness to every one who is believing,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the end of the law is Christ: unto justice to everyone that believeth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For Christ is [the] end of law for righteousness to every one that believes.

Context

After exposing Israel’s self-made righteousness in verse 3, Paul gives the positive: Christ fulfills the law’s aim. Verses 5–8 will now contrast two voices—Moses describing the principle of doing within the law, and the voice of faith describing accessibility through Christ. Verses 9–13 will then spell out how salvation comes—confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection—with a repeated stress on “whosoever.” Thus, verse 4 is the theological summit that directs all that follows toward faith in Christ as God’s appointed way.

v.3For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

v.4This passage

v.5For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 2:10

    and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:

  • Romans 8:3

    For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

  • Matthew 3:15

    But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.

  • Romans 7:1

    Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth?

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

  • Hebrews 10:14

    For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

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