Romans 10:5
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Original Language Analysis
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
1 of 17
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
γράφει
describeth
G1125
γράφει
describeth
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
3 of 17
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δικαιοσύνην
the righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνην
the righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
5 of 17
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
is of
G1537
ἐκ
is of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 17
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
the law
G3551
νόμου
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
9 of 17
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιήσας
which doeth
G4160
ποιήσας
which doeth
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
12 of 17
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Leviticus 18:5Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.Nehemiah 9:29And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.Ezekiel 20:13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.Ezekiel 20:21Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.Ezekiel 20:11And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.Galatians 3:12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.Romans 7:10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Historical Context
Rabbinic interpretation of Leviticus 18:5 emphasized doing the commandments as the path to life—both temporal blessings in the land and eternal life in the world to come. Second Temple Jewish texts like 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch (both c. AD 100) wrestle with the apparent impossibility of perfect law-keeping, yet maintain works-righteousness. Paul's radical gospel reinterpretation—that the law's "do this and live" is fulfilled only in Christ—inverts the entire system.
Questions for Reflection
- Why must the law's standard remain uncompromised and absolute for the gospel to make sense?
- How does Christ's perfect law-keeping (active obedience) complement His sin-bearing (passive obedience) in your salvation?
- In what areas are you most tempted to believe "do this and live" rather than "believe and live"?
Analysis & Commentary
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them—Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5, which establishes the law's principle: do and live. Poieō (ποιέω, "do, perform, practice") combined with zaō (ζάω, "live") presents perfect obedience as the condition for life. The law's standard is absolute—"the man which doeth" must do all the law without exception (Gal 3:10; James 2:10). This is "the righteousness which is of the law" (hē ek tou nomou dikaiosynē, ἡ ἐκ τοῦ νόμου δικαιοσύνη)—a hypothetical righteousness Israel pursued but could never attain.
Paul is not denigrating the law—he affirms its holiness (Rom 7:12). The problem is human inability, not divine requirement. The law's "do this and live" principle remains valid but unachievable post-fall. Christ alone fulfilled this condition (Matt 5:17-18), keeping every jot and tittle. In union with Christ, believers receive His law-keeping righteousness while the law's curse falls on Him (Gal 3:13). The law's purpose was never to save but to reveal sin and drive us to Christ (Gal 3:19-24).