Answer
In Romans 10:10, Paul writes, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (NKJV). Here, Paul makes a connection between faith, confession, and salvation. Exploring the context and implications of Romans 10:10 is crucial to appreciating its depth.
Paul’s statement in Romans 10:10 concerns the doctrine of justification by faith. In this verse, Paul builds on ideas expressed in earlier verses and other passages, such as Deuteronomy 30:11–14. In Deuteronomy, Moses conveys that God’s commandments are neither distant nor unattainable but are within reach, already in the hearts and mouths of the Israelites. God’s truth is accessible and internal, resonating with Paul’s later teachings on faith.
In Romans 10:10, Paul parallels the internal reception of God’s commands and the internal belief in Christ. The words “with the heart one believes unto righteousness” indicates that salvation starts with an inward faith. This belief is not merely intellectual acknowledgment but a personal conviction. The righteousness comes from being justified or declared righteous before God. The transformation from an unrighteous state to a righteous one occurs through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul made an earlier assertion in Romans 3:28 that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Paul’s emphasis on the heart reflects that salvation is an intimate and internal experience. It’s a deeply personal transformation. Faith in Christ results in a right standing before God. Belief is more than mental assent; it is a deep-seated trust in Jesus as Savior that changes sinners into saints.
Paul doesn’t stop at internal belief. He also includes the role of the mouth in salvation: “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10, NKJV). Confession is the first act after salvation, signifying an outward expression of an inward faith. The mouth becomes the instrument through which the believer publicly affirms his or her faith in Christ. It demonstrates that the Holy Spirit, who works within believers, has regenerated the heart and enabled the confession.
The interaction of heart and mouth underscores salvation as both an internal and external reality. Salvation begins with heartfelt belief but is validated and expressed through a verbal confession. Confession is a natural outcome of the transformation within the believer. It is a way to testify to the world about the faith that has already taken root in the heart. The psalmist similarly encourages us to tell others what the Lord has done: “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies” (Psalm 107:2, NLT).
Paul’s teaching on confession aligns with the broader biblical narrative. Jeremiah 31:31–34 describes a new covenant in which God promises to write His laws on the hearts of His people. The outward expression of that internal change complements this internalization of God’s commands.
Romans 10:10 provides a profound understanding of salvation, encompassing internal belief and external confession. “With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” With these words, Paul lays out the comprehensive nature of salvation. The heart and mouth work together to reflect the reality of salvation: a deeply personal faith in Christ that is openly affirmed and expressed. Salvation is an inner transformation and an outward testimony, capturing the essence of what it means to be saved by grace through faith.
