Bible Discussion Thread

This verse summarizes the ideas in the previous verse in general terms. Paul frequently summarized in Romans , and often these summaries refer to the results of the action in view, as here (cf. Romans 4:25; Romans 5:21; Romans 6:23; Romans 7:25).Belief in Jesus Christ in one"s heart results in acceptance by God (i.e, imputed righteousness, justification, and positional sanctification). Testimony to one"s belief in Jesus Christ normally follows and normally is verbal. Paul was describing the normal consequence of belief. Witmer wrote that the confession is to God. [Note: Witmer, p481.] One"s confession that Jesus is Lord would be to God initially (i.e, expressing trust in Christ to the Father), but most interpreters have believed that the confession in view goes beyond God and includes other people as well. This seems to be a reasonable conclusion since the confession is to be made with the mouth. In what sense does this confession result in salvation. Paul obviously did not mean that confession of Jesus Christ secures acceptance with God since he just said belief in the heart does that ( Romans 10:9; cf. ch4). Salvation is a broad term that includes many kinds of deliverance, as we have seen. What aspect of salvation does taking a public stand for Christ secure For one thing it saves the person making the confession from the potential discipline of God. [Note: See Dillow, pp122-24.] It also saves him or her from the loss of reward that those who are unwilling to identify themselves with Him will enjoy (cf. Matthew 10:32-33; 2 Timothy 2:12). Furthermore, it often results in the eternal salvation of other people who hear the confession of faith and then believe themselves.