Meaning of Romans 10:4

Romans 10:4 declares that "Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." This verse, situated within Paul's extensive discourse on salvation in the epistle to the Romans, addresses the fundamental relationship between the Mosaic Law and the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul is contending with the understanding of salvation prevalent among some Jewish believers who believed adherence to the Law was paramount for righteousness before God. He argues that the Law, while holy and good, ultimately pointed towards and found its fulfillment in Christ. Christ's life, death, and resurrection are presented not as an abolition of the Law's purpose, but as its ultimate realization, providing a new and perfect pathway to righteousness that is accessible through faith, thus extending God's salvific plan to both Jew and Gentile.

Context and Background

This verse is part of Romans chapters 9-11, where Paul grapples with the perplexing issue of Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people. He has established that salvation is not based on ethnic descent or the works of the Law, but on God's sovereign choice and the believer's faith in Christ. Chapter 10 specifically addresses the "stumbling block" for Israel, which Paul identifies as their pursuit of righteousness through the Law rather than through faith in Christ (Romans 10:1-3). The Mosaic Law, with its complex system of rituals, sacrifices, and commandments, served as a comprehensive guide for Israel's covenant relationship with God. However, its perfect fulfillment and ultimate purpose were only realized in Jesus.

Key Themes and Messages

• Christ as the Telos of the Law: The Greek word telos translated as "culmination" or "end" here signifies not cessation, but completion, fulfillment, and ultimate goal. Christ is the embodiment of the Law's intent. He perfectly obeyed its commands, satisfied its demands for justice through His atoning sacrifice, and fulfilled its prophetic foreshadowings.
• Righteousness Through Faith: The verse explicitly links Christ's fulfillment of the Law to the availability of righteousness for "everyone who believes." This underscores the shift from a righteousness earned by legal observance to a righteousness imputed by God based on faith in Christ's finished work.
• Inclusivity of Salvation: By stating "everyone who believes," Paul emphasizes that this new pathway to righteousness is not limited to those born under the Law but is open to all, regardless of their background, who place their trust in Christ.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Romans 10:4 offers profound spiritual implications for believers. It liberates individuals from the burden of trying to achieve righteousness through their own efforts or by meticulously adhering to a legalistic system. Instead, it directs them to Christ, who has already accomplished what the Law could not. This understanding fosters a profound sense of peace and assurance, as righteousness is a gift received by faith, not a wage earned by works. It encourages a focus on a relationship with God through Christ, characterized by grace and gratitude, rather than a performance-based approach to faith.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal point in the unfolding narrative of redemption. The Law, given through Moses, revealed God's standards and humanity's sinfulness, thereby highlighting the need for a Savior. The sacrificial system within the Law pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ would offer. Christ's coming and His life of perfect obedience fulfilled the Law's requirements, and His death satisfied its penalty. Thus, Romans 10:4 serves as a bridge, connecting the Old Covenant economy, with its preparatory laws, to the New Covenant in Christ, where righteousness is freely given to all who believe.

Analogies

• A Blueprint and a Finished Building: The Law can be likened to a detailed architectural blueprint. It outlines the perfect design and specifications for a dwelling. However, the blueprint itself cannot provide shelter. Christ is the finished building, perfectly constructed according to the blueprint, providing the ultimate dwelling place for God's people.
• A Map and the Destination: The Law is like a map that clearly shows the path to a desired destination. It guides and instructs, revealing the way. However, the map itself does not transport you. Christ is the destination, and by believing in Him, one arrives at the place of righteousness.
• A Prescription and the Cure: The Law reveals the disease of sin and prescribes the cure. It identifies what is needed but cannot provide it. Christ is the cure, the perfect remedy that heals and makes righteous.

Relation to Other Verses

• Galatians 3:24: "So the law was our guardian until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith." This verse echoes the idea that the Law served a preparatory role, pointing towards the coming of Christ for justification.
• Matthew 5:17: Jesus Himself stated, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." This directly supports the idea that Christ's coming was for the completion, not the destruction, of the Law's purpose.
• Romans 3:21-22: "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction." This passage further elaborates on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, separate from the Law's demands, and accessible to all.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." This verse highlights the exchange that occurred on the cross, where Christ took on sin, enabling believers to be clothed with God's righteousness.