Romans 10:7
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Original Language Analysis
Τίς
Who
G5101
Τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
2 of 12
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 12
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔστιν
G2076
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 12
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Historical Context
Ancient mythology often featured descent to the underworld (katabasis)—Orpheus seeking Eurydice, Aeneas consulting the dead, Heracles capturing Cerberus. Jewish tradition spoke of righteous figures like Enoch and Elijah ascending to heaven. Paul's point: the gospel does not require mythic heroism. Christ alone descended to the dead (the "harrowing of hell" tradition, based on 1 Pet 3:18-20) and ascended in resurrection power. Believers participate in His finished work by faith, not imitation of His unique redemptive acts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's completed work (Incarnation and Resurrection) free you from spiritual striving and performance anxiety?
- What does it mean that justification depends on historical events (Christ's death and resurrection) rather than personal religious experience?
- Where are you tempted to "descend to the abyss" in self-effort instead of resting in Christ's victory?
Analysis & Commentary
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)—The second rhetorical question, Tis katabesetai eis tēn abysson? (τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον; "Who shall descend into the abyss?"), parallels Deuteronomy 30:13's "beyond the sea" but intensifies it to abyss (ἄβυσσος)—the realm of the dead, Hades, Sheol. Paul interprets this as attempting to bring up Christ again from the dead—as if the Resurrection required human effort or could be repeated.
But God has already raised Christ (Rom 1:4; 4:24-25; 6:4; 8:11). The Resurrection is accomplished fact, the guarantee of justification (Rom 4:25). Faith-righteousness does not descend to the realm of death to manufacture victory—it confesses Christ's victory as already won. The double impossibility (ascending to heaven, descending to the abyss) emphasizes salvation by grace alone. No human work, however heroic, can secure what only divine action can accomplish and has already accomplished in Christ.