What Do You Mean-

By Frank W. Nelte

Really? Is that what it says? Let's look at this verse more closely.

First, let's clearly understand the context of this verse.

In chapter 9 of Romans Paul explained that God's plan for mankind is based on divine election, by which God specially chooses people to carry out His will. In the Old Testament God elected Israel. Now, in chapter 10, Paul explains further that because Israel as a whole did not respond to God, therefore God gave some gentiles access to salvation at this time.

Next, let's take a look at the word end in Romans 10:4. The original Greek word is telos, from which we get such English words as telescope ("to look far"), telephone ("to hear sound from far") and television ("to see from far").

The root of the Greek word telos means "to set out for a definite point or goal" - in other words, to have a specific aim or target. English equivalents in include goal, purpose, outcome and result.

In the first three verses of Romans 10 Paul talks about the physical Israelites of his time. While he wished and desired that they could all come into God's Church at that time (verse 1), he pointed out that their religious zeal was misdirected (verse 2). The key to true Christianity is to submit to "the righteousness of God," which the Israelites were not doing (verse 3).

By "the righteousness of God" Paul means keeping God's commandments (Romans 3:31, Psalm 119:172). The Israelites did not believe what God said, and they didn't believe in seeking righteousness God's way!

Now, in verse 4, Paul contrasts the way these Israelites were following with the way in which a true believer would seek the righteousness of God. The difference lies not so much in the outward actions as in the motivation or the attitude toward living God's way.

The Israelites' motivation for trying to keep God's laws was "to establish their own righteousness" (verse 3). Jesus Christ pointed out that this typified the attitude of the Pharisees of His time (Luke 18:9-12).

By contrast, a Christian's motivation for keeping God's laws is to demonstrate faith in Christ and in Christ's sacrifice. A Christian understands that keeping God's law is the only way to have the physical and spiritual blessings everyone desires.

"For Christ is the end [telos - motivation, purpose, aim,, goal] of the law for righteousness." The motivation for keeping God's laws, which will lead to righteousness, is Christ - faith in His sacrifice and in the promises He left us. That's what this verse is telling us!

And this is only "to everyone who believes." In this chapter Paul goes on to show that this motivation cannot be based on sight. Certainly not. It must be based on faith, which does not depend on physical evidence.

A few verses later Paul shows that the faith to keep God's laws from a right motivation can only come after "hearing" (verse 17) - in other words, being exposed to God's true message.

Those who respond to God's calling by believing and obeying God become part of the Body of God's elect people.

You are right now reading a magazine that explains God's message in plain language. So what's your motivation? Do you desire to obey God's laws - or, like most people, do you instead want to reject God's way as revealed by His commandments?

Romans 10:4 most emphatically does not say God's law has been done away. If you want to be one of God's elect people, you will want to obey God. Your motivation in all you do will be to demonstrate faith in Christ and to please God!