Romans 10:5-7 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
Paul quotes from several places in the Torah to further his argument that one is justified by grace and not the law, and since one is justified by grace, even Gentiles can become righteous. Paul’s style of argument here is difficult to follow. We must see these verses within the flow of thought of the whole letter and this chapter and section. Paul is not saying that Moses had it wrong but that what Moses said can be misinterpreted. We must obey God’s commandments but this obedience does not make us righteous but give evidence of our faith in God. God is the one who makes us righteous, not us by our own efforts. Paul then quotes parts of Deuteronomy 30:12-14. God gave a simple command to the people recorded in Deuteronomy 6:4-9: to love God with our whole heart, soul, and strength. Everything else is a manifestation of this central command. To love God requires faith. Paul quotes only parts of these verses, connecting them to Jesus. Only God can “bring Christ down” or “bring Christ up from the dead.” God is the one who saves. Paul will show what part we must have in this in the following verses.
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