Romans 10:6
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
which is of
G1537
ἐκ
which is of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 22
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
πίστεως
faith
G4102
πίστεως
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
4 of 22
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
δικαιοσύνη
the righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνη
the righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
5 of 22
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
οὕτως
on this wise
G3779
οὕτως
on this wise
Strong's:
G3779
Word #:
6 of 22
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
λέγει
speaketh
G3004
λέγει
speaketh
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 22
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
12 of 22
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
Τίς
Who
G5101
Τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
14 of 22
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανόν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανόν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
18 of 22
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἔστιν
G2076
Cross References
Proverbs 30:4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?John 6:58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.John 6:38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.John 6:33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;Romans 4:13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.Romans 3:22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: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
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 assured Israel that God's commandments were not beyond reach—not in heaven or across the sea, but in their mouths and hearts. Moses emphasized law-accessibility to heighten Israel's accountability. Paul, under inspiration, sees this as typologically fulfilled in gospel-accessibility. Christ's incarnation means salvation is not distant or difficult—it's as near as believing and confessing. This reading shocked Jewish interpreters but demonstrates apostolic authority to reveal Christ in Torah.
Questions for Reflection
- What impossible spiritual "ascents" are you attempting instead of simply receiving what Christ has already accomplished?
- How does the nearness of the gospel challenge both self-reliant works and mystical spiritual elitism?
- Why is it crucial that the Incarnation is God's initiative (descending) rather than humanity's achievement (ascending)?
Analysis & Commentary
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)—Paul creatively applies Deuteronomy 30:12-14 (Moses' exposition on law-accessibility) to gospel-accessibility. Hē ek pisteōs dikaiosynē (ἡ ἐκ πίστεως δικαιοσύνη, "the righteousness of faith") is personified as speaking. The rhetorical question "Who shall ascend into heaven?" (Tis anabesetai eis ton ouranon? τίς ἀναβήσεται εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν;) implies the impossibility of human effort to bring divine salvation down.
Paul's parenthetical explanation (that is, to bring Christ down from above) interprets ascending to heaven as attempting to secure the Incarnation by human effort. But Christ has already descended (John 3:13; 6:38)—God has already sent His Son (Gal 4:4; John 3:16). Faith-righteousness does not require heroic spiritual achievement; it simply receives what God has already accomplished. The gospel is near (engys, ἐγγύς), accessible, not demanding the impossible.