Never Put to Shame, Richly Blessed and Saved
As Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13
These verses build on the close and ready accessibility of Christ and His gospel. He is not only easily accessible but equally accessible to all, to ‘anyone’ (10:11) and ‘everyone’ (10:13) since ‘there is no difference’ (10:12). All three verses refer to Christ and affirm His availability to faith, although each describes in different terms both the nature of faith and how Christ responds to believers. In 10:11 we trust in Him and ‘will never be put to shame.’ In 10:12 we ‘call on him’ and He ‘richly blesses us.’ In 10:13 we call ‘on the name of the Lord’ and are ‘saved.’
Taking each verse separately: ‘As Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame” ’ (10:11). Being ‘put to shame’ is sometimes used as a metaphor in the Scripture for condemnation at the judgement (Isaiah 50:7,8). Putting our faith in Christ brings vindication before God’s throne on judgement day. This is the second time Paul has quoted Isaiah 28:16 (9:33 was the first).
‘For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him’ (10:12). The gospel opens salvation to all people on the same basis. There remains a fundamental distinction between those who seek righteousness by the law and those who seek it by faith. But between those who have been justified by faith, who are in Christ, all distinctions are irrelevant. The confession ‘Jesus is Lord’ unites both Jews and Gentiles in the same faith and the same hope. In Christ all who call on Him are richly blessed. Far from being impoverished, we receive His ‘unsearchable riches’ (Ephesian 3:8).
‘For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”’ (10:13). The quote is from Joel 2:32. Peter cited it on the day of Pentecost, transferring the text from Yahweh to Jesus, which is what Paul has done here. This verse, along with 10:11 where Paul has identified the ‘stone’ of Isaiah 28:16 with Jesus show how strongly the early church identified Jesus with Yahweh, God’s covenant name.
So from Romans 10:5-13, what has Paul said is necessary for salvation? First, the fact of the historic Jesus, incarnate, crucified, risen, reigning as Lord, and accessible. Secondly, the gospel, ‘the word of faith’ (10:8) which makes Him known. Thirdly, trust on the part of the hearers, calling on the name of the Lord, combining faith in the heart with confession of the mouth.
The only element missing is the evangelist who proclaims Christ and urges the listeners to put their trust in Him. This is the next topic in Paul’s thinking.