Devine Scripture

Romans 10:9

What does Romans 10:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 10:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 10:9 means

Paul sets out the heart of the gospel’s response: confess with your mouth “Jesus as Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved. Confession openly acknowledges Jesus’ sovereign identity; belief embraces the resurrection as God’s public vindication of His Son and the basis of our justification. This is not a formula for mere lip-service or bare assent; it is a whole-person trust that yields a willing confession. The promise is definite—“thou shalt be saved.” Salvation rests on Christ’s lordship and resurrection, not on our works, and it is received by believing and confessing Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

because 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

because 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because, if you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and have faith in your heart that God has made him come back from the dead, you will have salvation:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that if thou mayest confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and mayest believe in thy heart that God did raise him out of the dead, thou shalt be saved,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart thatGod has raised him from among [the] dead, thou shalt be saved.

Context

This verse explains how the near word (v. 8) is to be embraced. It highlights two inseparable aspects: inward belief and outward confession. Verse 10 will clarify the relationship between heart-faith leading to righteousness and mouth-confession leading to salvation. Verses 11–13 will then universalize the promise by citing Scripture that promises acceptance to all who believe and call on the Lord. Thus, verse 9 serves as the practical center of the chapter’s argument about righteousness by faith in Christ.

v.8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

v.9This passage

v.10for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 8:36

    And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

  • Romans 14:11

    For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God.

  • 1 Peter 1:21

    who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

  • 2 John 1:7

    For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:14

    and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

  • Philippians 2:11

    and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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