Answer
Romans 10:9 states, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (NET). This verse highlights God’s desire for us to confess that Jesus is the Lord of our lives and the God of the Old Testament.
First, in the context of Paul’s time, the term Lord held different meanings. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, reveals that Caesar required a similar confession formula, asserting his rulership over the Roman Empire (Bellum Judaicum, 7.418). As a result, the use of the word Lord in Paul’s writings might have carried significant implications. If this is the case, Paul’s utilization of this confession formula aimed to emphasize to his audience that Jesus surpassed the rulers of their era, particularly Caesar. During that period, embracing the Christian faith could lead to persecution and even death. Therefore, confessing Jesus as Lord signified a willingness to surrender one’s life to follow Him. In our present time, while we no longer have a Caesar, Jesus remains the Lord over every aspect of our lives. Despite the potential for persecution, believers affirm Jesus as their Savior, steadfastly holding on to the eternal hope that they need not fear physical death.
Second, within its immediate context, the term Lord refers to the God of the Old Testament. Paul quotes Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13 to explain why believers should confess Jesus as Lord: “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” In Joel 2:32, the reference is explicitly to Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament. Paul equates the status of Jesus with that of the God of the Old Testament, emphasizing that believers should call upon Jesus just as the Old Testament people called upon God. Jesus and Yahweh are One and the same, and He is the One who saves us all!
Although Romans 10:9 might appear to mean that public confession is a necessary condition for salvation, it is best interpreted as pointing to an evidence of salvation, rather than the condition itself. We are saved by grace through faith, not by means of an audible profession of faith. As always, we should let clearer passages of Scripture guide our understanding of less explicit verses. Ephesians 2:8–9 informs us that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. The immediate context of Romans 10:9 illustrates how a believer would confess his or her faith. Simply put, the confession “Jesus is Lord” aligns with James’ notion that genuine faith is demonstrated through works (James 2:14–26).
Another caution regarding Romans 10:9 pertains to decisional regeneration. Some evangelicals use this verse to support the idea that, if one “accepts” Christ or prays the sinner’s prayer, he is saved because he professes the Christian faith. However, this concept can be perilous, as it risks equating God’s divine work in the hearts of unbelievers with human decisions. Scripture teaches that salvation is the work of God, and humanity is saved by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9).
