Devine Scripture

Romans 10:6

What does Romans 10:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 10:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 10:6 means

Paul personifies the righteousness of faith, which speaks a different message than the law-as-doing. It says, “Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven?” as if Christ needed to be fetched down. In other words, salvation is not achieved by heroic spiritual ascent. Christ has already come. By applying this to Christ, Paul shows that the promises of Scripture find their fulfillment in Him. Faith does not reach up to accomplish what only God can do; it receives what God has done in sending His Son. The righteousness of faith silences self-reliance and opens the heart to Christ’s finished work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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:)

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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:)

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the righteousness which is of faith says these words, Say not in your heart, Who will go up to heaven? (that is, to make Christ come down:)

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the righteousness of faith doth thus speak: `Thou mayest not say in thine heart, Who shall go up to the heaven,' that is, Christ to bring down?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the justice which is of faith, speaketh thus: Say not in thy heart: Who shall ascend into heaven? That is to bring Christ down;

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the righteousness of faith speaks thus: Do not say in thine heart, Who shall ascend to the heavens? that is, to bring Christ down;

Context

This verse continues the contrast begun in verse 5. The voice of faith counters the impulse to strive upward, as if righteousness depended on human ascent. Verse 7 will add the downward journey—no need to descend to bring Christ up from the dead—further underlining that Christ’s incarnation and resurrection are complete. Verse 8 will then summarize: the saving word is near, in mouth and heart. Thus, verses 6–8 together prepare for the clear call of verses 9–10 to confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection.

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

v.6This passage

v.7or, Who shall descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

  • Romans 9:30

    What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:

  • Hebrews 1:3

    who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

  • John 6:50

    This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

  • Romans 3:25

    whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;

  • John 6:38

    For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

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