Romans 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Original Language Analysis
καρδίᾳ
with the heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
with the heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
1 of 10
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πιστεύεται
man believeth
G4100
πιστεύεται
man believeth
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
3 of 10
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 10
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνην
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
5 of 10
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
στόματι
with the mouth
G4750
στόματι
with the mouth
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
6 of 10
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
ὁμολογεῖται
confession is made
G3670
ὁμολογεῖται
confession is made
Strong's:
G3670
Word #:
8 of 10
to assent, i.e., covenant, acknowledge
Cross References
1 John 4:15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Hebrews 10:22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.Luke 8:15But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.Hebrews 3:12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.Revelation 2:13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.Philippians 3:9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Historical Context
The distinction between inward belief and outward confession addressed early church issues: secret believers who feared persecution, and false professors who spoke orthodox creeds without heart-transformation (2 Tim 3:5). Baptism in the early church was the primary context for public confession—a dangerous identification with Christ in a hostile culture. Catechesis prepared converts to confess the lordship of Christ at baptism, often before hostile witnesses. The "easy believism" of modern evangelicalism, which divorces faith from confession/discipleship, would have bewildered the apostolic church.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your life include public, costly confession of Christ, or only private, safe belief?
- How does the biblical order (heart-belief produces mouth-confession) protect against both dead orthodoxy and works-righteousness?
- What specific confession of Christ is the Spirit calling you to make that you have been avoiding?
Analysis & Commentary
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation—Paul unpacks verse 9's order, explaining the relationship between internal faith and external confession. Kardia pisteuetai eis dikaiosynēn (καρδίᾳ πιστεύεται εἰς δικαιοσύνην, "with heart it is believed unto righteousness")—the present passive emphasizes ongoing belief, and eis (εἰς, "unto, resulting in") indicates purpose or result: belief results in righteousness, i.e., justification. This is the doctrine of sola fide: the heart's faith, not the mouth's confession, is the instrumental cause of justification.
Stomati homologeitai eis sōtērian (στόματι ὁμολογεῖται εἰς σωτηρίαν, "with mouth it is confessed unto salvation")—again present passive, emphasizing habitual confession. Does this mean confession saves in addition to faith? No—confession is faith's necessary fruit and public expression. James 2:14-26 warns that faith without works (including confession) is dead, spurious. But the order matters: heart-faith produces mouth-confession, not vice versa. The parallelism distinguishes but does not separate justification (righteousness) and its outworking (salvation/ongoing deliverance).