Devine Scripture

Romans 10:8

What does Romans 10:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 10:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 10:8 means

The saving message is not distant or difficult; “the word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart.” Paul identifies this as “the word of faith” that he and others preach. God has brought the gospel near—intelligible and ready to be received. It reaches the heart, where trust is formed, and the mouth, where confession flows. The accessibility emphasizes grace: salvation does not demand spiritual feats but a believing reception of God’s message about Christ. This nearness also shows responsibility: the word is present and pressing; one need not go seek another revelation. The gospel comes close, calling for personal response.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart: that is, the word of faith of which we are the preachers:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

But what doth it say? `Nigh thee is the saying--in thy mouth, and in thy heart:' that is, the saying of the faith, that we preach;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But what saith the scripture? The word is nigh thee; even in thy mouth and in thy heart. This is the word of faith, which we preach.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But what says it? The word is near thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

Context

Following the denial of any need to bring Christ down or up (vv. 6–7), verse 8 declares the positive: the gospel is near. This prepares directly for verses 9–10, which spell out the content and manner of response—confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. Verses 11–13 will then anchor this promise in Scripture and stress its universal offer to “whosoever.” In the flow of thought, verse 8 is the bridge between the theological contrast (law versus faith) and the practical call to trust and confess Christ.

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

v.8This passage

v.9because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:

Cross references

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

  • Romans 1:16

    For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

  • 1 Peter 1:25

    But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.

  • Galatians 3:2

    This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

  • Isaiah 57:19

    I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith Jehovah; and I will heal him.

  • Romans 10:17

    So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

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