May 24, 2026, Sunday School Lesson

The End of the Law

Lesson Text: Romans 10:1-13

Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 9:4-12; 30:11-20; Leviticus 18:1-5; Ezekiel 20:1-26; Galatians 3:19-27

TIME: A.D. 57

PLACE: from Corinth

Golden Text – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Introduction

Romans 10:9 is a famous verse, and rightly so. It reveals how we may be saved, an issue with massive eternal ramifications. This quarter, we have studied the wrath of God against sin, poured out on Christ and fully satisfied. In Christ alone can we find safety from God’s wrath.

Despite the familiarity of verse 9, much of this chapter is often skipped over. A close investigation will reveal a chiastic structure of mirrored, parallel statements. Not surprisingly, at the center of this chiasm we find Christ and how He is the end of the law. We will also see connections to the great prophecy of Isaiah 28.

Everyone, both Jew and Gentile, may be saved by faith in Jesus. This faith is more than mere intellectual assent; it is a matter of the heart, which produces action. If you have never made peace with God, today is the day to do so! “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in tine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9).

LESSON OUTLINE

1. ISRAEL’S IGNORANCE – Rom. 10:1-3

2. CHRIST AND THE LAW – Rom. 10:4-8

3. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH – Rom. 10:9-10

4. BOTH JEW AND GENTILE – Rom. 10:11-13

QUESTIONS

1. How does a chiasm help us understand the main point of a passage?

2. What chapter of Isaiah should we have in mind as we read Romans 10?

3. What is the point of Isaiah passage, and how did Paul mirror it in Romans 10?

4. What was the main point of Romans 9? How does it relate to Romans 10?

5. Structurally, what is the core section of Romans 10:1-11?

6. What does it mean that Christ is the end of the law?

7. What is the relationship between the law and faith?

8. How is one saved?

9. Why is having zeal for God not enough?

10. Why is there no boasting from either Jews or Gentiles? Why is this good news?

ANSWERS

1. If we move back one verse to Romans 9:33, there is a chiasm (also discussed in lesson 9) that is embedded in this section that references Isaiah 28:16 Chiasms are frequent in Scripture and provide a series of parallels that compare or contrast one another. There is generally a core statement, which is the focal point of the verses.

2. Based on this structure, we should read Romans 10:1-13 in parallel with Isaiah 28. It is important to recall that chapter and verse numbering was not present in the ancient text of Paul. These were added centuries later. Therefore, Paul used short quotes, probably known to his hearers, to reference a larger passage.

3. The Original meaning of Isaiah 28:16 was to contrast the false security that the faithless rulers in Jerusalem had tried to establish for themselves with the security God had established for those who were faithful to Him. Paul did the same thing in Romans 10. The righteousness we try to establish through our own efforts fails no matter how zealous we might be (vs.1). We need the righteousness that comes from God, which we receive through faith. The object of that faith is found in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Paul developed this in Romans 10:1-13.

4. The main issue implied in 9:6 was whether God’s Word to Israel had failed. Paul answered that it had not. He explained how in the important interpretive passage of Romans 9:30-33. He noted that the Gentiles received righteousness based on faith and that the Jews did not because they did not pursue it by faith. Romans 9:30-33 is usually grouped with Romans 10:1-13, yet Paul completed chapter 9 with the reason for Israel’s failure: their lack of faith.

5. If we reflect on the structure noted in the chiasm, we see that verse 4 begins the core section of Romans 10:1-11.

6. It is better to understand Paul as saying that Christ is the endpoint of the law – the place to which the law has led us.

7. The relationship between the law and faith can be seen as follows: The call for obedience is a return to the Lord with one’s whole heart and soul (vs.2). The act of faith, as described by the law, is an internal commitment to the glorious God of the covenant. The Lord God would circumcise the heart of faith (cf. vs. 6). Paul also used the language of circumcision of the heart in Romans 2:29, a requirement that includes both Jews and Gentiles. An internal change is needed even for those who are externally committed to the law. In Romans 10:5-10, the confession of faith in Jesus is not a matter of the mind but of the heart.

8. Paul echoed that in Romans 10:8-10, applying it to faith, where faith is internalized and confessed. With this confession (as an act of faith) one is saved.

9. Faith requires an object toward which we must turn to be saved. Passion or Zeal is not sufficient, even when applied to something fundamentally good, like the law. Rather, faith in God’s Messiah, Jesus, is needed.

10. There is no boasting from either Jews or Gentiles, for God has laid the foundation for righteousness in His Messiah. Faith is not restrictive or limited; it is available to all who call on the Lord (Rom. 10:11-13).