Interpretation of the Bible / Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9 is one of the most important and foundational verses in Christian teaching because it establishes that the only way to attain salvation is to confess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in His resurrection.
Confession of faith
The verse begins with the phrase, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”.” The word “declare” implies a public declaration of our faith. That is, it is not enough to believe with all our hearts that Jesus exists; we must also proclaim it publicly.
Confession is not only an expression of our faith, but also an act of submission and obedience to God. In Luke 12:8, Jesus said, “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” In other words, by confessing our faith in Jesus, we also ensure that He will publicly recognize us before the angels of God.
Belief in the resurrection
The second part of the verse says, “and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.” The word “believe” implies a deep personal conviction. That is, it is not enough to simply accept the idea of the resurrection, but we must believe it with all our being.
The resurrection is the most important event in the history of Christianity, for it is the irrefutable proof that Jesus was the Son of God. By believing in the resurrection, we affirm our faith in the divine sovereignty and victory of Christ over sin and death.
The promise of salvation
The verse ends with the promise, “you will be saved.” This phrase summarizes the entire meaning of the verse, for it establishes that confession and faith are the most important requirements for obtaining salvation.
Salvation is the most valuable gift we can receive, for it is liberation from the bondage of sin. Once saved, we secure for ourselves eternal life in the Kingdom of God, where we will enjoy complete peace and happiness.