Romans 10:1-3 - Zeal Without Knowledge

Romans 10:1-3 - 1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

Message: Zeal without the knowledge from God.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

From BiblePilot, for chapter 10.

1. 10:1-4 Zeal without knowledge
2. 10:5-13 Basis of righteousness
1. 10:5-8 Law vs. Faith
2. 10:9-13 Belief, confession, and justification
3. 10:14-21 Preaching produces belief
1. 10:14-17 Faith comes through hearing
2. 10:18-21 Salvation of the Gentiles

Chapter 9 - 11 are generally thought to be distinct from the first 8 chapters and it seems appropriate based upon what I have studied. The first 8 chapters marked a declaration of the Gospel, specifically a focus on the righteousness of God. Righteousness is imputed to us by faith apart from the works of the Law. Yes, we are judged by the Law but we don't become righteous through obedience but by faith. This was a tough message to a Jewish audience and Paul thoroughly had gone through it with them and with us, the reader. Righteousness is shown to not be a new doctrine, but that Abraham's faith was based on righteousness. The Jew hears that the things they thought were pillars of their beliefs, carrying the law, circumcision, works don't in fact make one justified. God's righteousness is then demonstrated in the life of the believer with the Power of the Spirit. We are adopted family members and we are sanctified after salvation through the fulfillment of the Law by the Power of the Spirit in our lives.

Then in Chapter 9 Paul reminds us that the basis of our salvation is God's choosing. But, God is not random. He has purpose. He doesn't choose people for hell. People choose to not go in the path of God. God calls them through His divine providence. God is just.

Zeal Without Knowledge
At the end of chapter 9 we are reminded that Israel seeks righteousness by works. They pursue a law of righteousness. They don't focus on faith. Jesus rather than being the stone that saves them is a stone of stumbling. Once again, Paul shows us the prophecy from Isaiah of this truth.

In Chapter 10, Paul reiterates that his desire is for their salvation. He can see their zeal for God, but they lack the correct understanding.

I'm always struggling sometimes what to pray specifically for those that are unbelievers or I see don't know Christ as Savior and Lord. Verse 1 of chapter 10 could be a fitting prayer. "My heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation."  It is fitting and to the point.

Verse 2 of chapter 10 is such a clear and haunting verse, really. It states, "for I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge." Perhaps this is a telling verse about people that appear on the surface to have a zeal for God, but are not following God in the manner in which God prescribed. They don't have an accurate understanding of what it is they need to do or be.

And verse 3 clarifies, as is Paul's custom. People "establish their own" means of getting God's righteousness. Rather than submitting to God's way of faith (9:32 - "they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.") they instead come up with their own way of seeking after God. They go about it selfishly, thinking that it is by their own effort.

Verse 3 is haunting, "For not knowing." That's where we come in as his vessels. Telling the masses. Telling the individual. They don't know. We must tell them it is by faith. People have a conscience, yes. That was reminded of us in chapter 2. People have a knowledge of God. This is true. But, people don't naturally know that life with God and coming to be known as righteous is by faith.

I love these verses. 

 

Promise: People often see a Law and think that it is for keeping and this is what will make them worthy. But, the Mosaic law is to point us to our own inability to meet God's standard and then through faith in Him that He will provide the righteousness that we need before His judgment seat. Obeying the commands of our Savior is not optional. However, our good works are not the means by which we establish a right relationship with God. We do not make ourselves worthy by our obedience. We are accounted worthy of heaven only by the righteousness of Jesus, imputed to us by faith alone. --- Tabletalk, July 22, 2014