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Romans

  1. Lesson One
    Romans as a Theological Treatise (Romans 1–6)
    22 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Romans as an Occasional Letter (Romans 9–11)
    19 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    The Real Difference (Romans 7–8)
    19 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Living out the Gospel in "Rome" (Romans 12–14)
    21 Activities
    |
    5 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Author and Audience (Romans 15–16)
    22 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Romans Romans as a Theological Treatise (Romans 1–6) In | Workbook: Deuteronomy and Romans
Lesson 1, Activity 9

In | Workbook: Deuteronomy and Romans

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

Before outlining the “two ways” in Deuteronomy 30:15, God reminds Israel that the way of life through obedience and love is not found in a physical location. God has provided in His commands and the Law a way of life for those who obey and love Him. If they keep God’s decrees and commands, they will “live and increase” with God’s blessings.

It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?” But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
Deuteronomy 30:12-14 ESV

When Paul references this passage in Romans 10, he applies it to Christ:

But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:6-10 ESV

  1. How does Paul use the Deuteronomy passage to make his point?
Deuteronomy and Romans

Paul replaces the significance of the Law in that passage with a profession of Jesus as Messiah. In the Pentateuch, it was the Law that was “very near.” For Paul, the Law is fulfilled in Jesus, and so we don’t preach the Law, but rather that “Jesus is Lord.” And we’re to believe in our hearts not the commandments, but that “God has raised him from the dead.”

And just as Deuteronomy describes the Law as the way of life, Paul insists that those who “believe” and “profess their faith” are saved. They receive life in Jesus with whom they are now joined. The Law is God’s written revelation; it is the path of life in the old covenant. In the new covenant, Christ is God’s incarnate revelation, offering covenantal life in Him.

Reference: John E. Toews, Romans, 1989, pp. 264-265.