Devine Scripture

Romans 10:5

What does Romans 10:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 10:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 10:5 means

Paul cites Moses to describe the righteousness that is based on the law: the one who does these commandments shall live by them. This sets forth the principle of law—life on the basis of doing. It is a true statement of the law’s demand: consistent, comprehensive obedience. By recalling this standard, Paul does not offer a competing path to salvation, but contrasts it with the righteousness of faith. The law’s way depends on perfect performance; faith’s way depends on God’s provision. The citation clarifies that the law is not defective, but that seeking life by doing exposes human inability and points beyond itself to a different righteousness, which Paul will immediately describe.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For Moses says that the man who does the righteousness which is of the law will get life by it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for Moses doth describe the righteousness that <FI>is<Fi> of the law, that, `The man who did them shall live in them,'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For Moses wrote that the justice which is of the law: The man that shall do it shall live by it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For Moses lays down in writing the righteousness which is of the law, The man who has practised those things shall live by them.

Context

Verse 5 begins the contrast between law-righteousness and faith-righteousness. Having affirmed in verse 4 that Christ is the law’s fulfillment for those who believe, Paul now lets Moses state the law’s operating principle. In verses 6–8 he will set against this the voice of faith, drawing on Scripture to emphasize accessibility and immediacy through Christ. Then verses 9–10 will specify the heart-and-mouth response that receives salvation. So verse 5 lays the foundation for the contrast that makes the gospel’s simplicity and sufficiency shine.

v.4For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth.

v.5This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 3:12

    and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.

  • Nehemiah 9:29

    and testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law. Yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thine ordinances (which if a man do, he shall live in them), and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

  • Romans 7:10

    and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:

  • Ezekiel 20:13

    But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected mine ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

  • Luke 10:27

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

  • Leviticus 18:5

    Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah.

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