The Other Shoe
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:10 NASB
Resulting – You’ll need to read a few other English translations of this verse to see the issue.
“For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” ESV
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” NIV
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” NKJV
Do you see that “resulting in” doesn’t even appear in these other three versions? In fact, there isn’t any Greek word in this text for “resulting” or “and is” or “and are” in any of these translations. The Greek simply uses the preposition eis (“in, into, until”). Eis is a preposition about a spatial relationship. That’s why the NKJV is closest with “unto.” Paul isn’t saying that belief produces righteousness or that confession produces salvation. Paul is Jewish! Believing into righteousness means that these two nouns are the same thing. Believing is righteousness because, just like shema, the verb “believing” manifests itself in righteousness. I cannot have one without the other.
The same logic applies to “confesses.” Confession is not the basis for some further state called “saved.” Confessing is salvation. Paul literally says “confesses into salvation” (homologeitai eis soterian). The verb means “to speak the same as.” It has a Hebrew root equivalent that is tied to praise and worship. It is associated with making a statement as in a court of law, providing a witness or making a solemn oath. In other words, the act of confessing is by its very nature the act of deliverance. It is to say the same thing that God says about who you are. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You” is the essence of confessing.
In our culture we tend to separate act from consequence, but this is not true in Hebrew thought. Just as the act of disobedience contains within itself the inevitable consequences so that sin and punishment are inextricably tied to each other, so the act of believing and the act of confessing are coupled with righteousness and salvation. Now you might have a better understanding of Genesis 15:6. What is the lesson here? Hebrew thought involves inward attitude and outward manifestation. If you don’t see righteousness, then there is no believing. If you don’t see the symptoms of salvation, then there is no confessing. So, take a look. What do you see?
Topical Index: resulting in, confess, believe, righteousness, salvation, Romans 10:10
I feel like this is a stupid question, especially since I’ve known God for a longtime, but I’m having a hard time seeing the connection between confessing and salvation. I know here you say that they’re essentially the same and that there can’t be one without the other. I just don’t quite get the connection between speaking Gods truth and salvation (rescue). I do understand more that if I have been saved that I must confess (speak), but I’m not entirely sure I’m grasping the whole idea. Perhaps my understanding of one or both concepts is off. Would you mind elaborating, please?
Amanda Y.
The verb, homologeo (Greek – confess) means literally “to say the same thing.” Now what would Paul as a Jewish rabbi mean by “say the same thing”? Does he mean that we utter the same words? Or does he mean that uttering the words is the same as doing them? Can I separate knowing the words from doing what they require if I am Hebrew? Nope. To know is to do. So, to say what God says is to do what God says. Only in the Greek mindset can I say something but not do anything about what I say. In Greek dualism, it is possible for me to “confess”, that is say the words, but not actually take action regarding what I say. Thus Yeshua indicts us with “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ but do not do what I say?” Paul is simply asserting that confession IS doing.
And it isn’t a stupid question. It is an essential one – and one that many will miss.
Thank you! That helps a lot!
Ah, I couldn’t help over-hearing your conversation… this brings to mind a couple of verses.. Psalms 119:113 -I hate double-minded men, but I love your law and James 1:7-8 – That man should not think he will will recieve anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
So..there really does need to be integrity between my mouth and feet…. I’ve got work to do.
If the church would catch this, imagine how different THE CHURCH would be! First, it needs to be taught, thank you, Skip.
Shalom to all.
Greetings!
“…..unto…..”
You may wish to consider the information relative to prepositions in this link.
http://www.therain.org/appendixes/app104.html
Also, Paul himself stated that he was from the Tribe of Benjamin. How does that make him Jewish? Jusk askin. I realize that I did not attend such fine educational institution as yourself, but everyday study with the guidance of the Sweet and Holy Spirit does not bear out your point.
Butterflies and rainbows!
me
p.s. Although all of the info in the link is very enlightening, unto is # vi. That AKJV Companion Bible is a great resource. Just the facts. 🙂
“all of the info in the link is very enlightening”
“We believe Christ Jesus is The Word (John 1:1). The Word being our High Priest”
Hi Jeanette and Michael C
I found the “prepositions” on the link to be very informative
But the business about the High Priest on the link seems a bit odd
In my Bible, Acts 23:2, the High Priest is Ananias and he hits Paul in the mouth
And John 1:1 is not about the High Priest
We believe Christ Jesus is The Word (John 1:1). The Word being our High Priest,
we believe in the One who sent Him (Matt. 10:40, John 6:38, 7:16, 7:28-29, 13:20).
We are students of God’s Word and as such,
we are here to study and follow that Word, as disciples do.
jeanette,
Just a friendly observation. I have read several of your comments and I must admit that I have a difficult time grasping where you are coming from most of the time.
For instance, this comment of yours: “but everyday study with the guidance of the Sweet and Holy Spirit does not bear out your point”.
Are you saying the Holy Spirit disagrees with Skip’s insight or your opinion disagrees with Skip’s interpretation? Or your opinion of what the Holy Spirit thinks disagrees with Skip’s view? Your phrasing has often put a big question mark in my effort to understand what you say.
I hope this isn’t accurate, but, at times I sense a snarkiness in some of your comments. I hope I am wrong, just askin.
And, while I am no expert in Greek, I have attended Greek classes in seminary, I see no difficulties with your link to http://www.therain.org regarding the eis accusative preposition and how Skip applied it.
Hebrew thought deals with function as opposed to the Greek mind with appearance. Hebrew thought deals with action as oppose to the Greek’s passive relationship. Thus, Paul, projecting his Hebrew mindset would equate both believing and confessing with the action, nature and character of the essence of salvation. It also agrees with the Hebrew mechanics of expressing the same thing via two or more different expressions, i.e. tautology, saying the same thing in different ways resulting in a deeper dimensional understanding of something.
Believing, confessing, righteousness, and salvation, in this case are are dynamically of the same essence simply expressed in differing ways. Paul equates them all eloquently and clearly for those understanding the Hebrew culture, thought patterns and language style.
Just my thoughts, and again, this isn’t expressed negatively toward you, just a note regarding my attempts in trying to understand your comments.
Thank you Michael. I have the same difficulty. And I am continuously exasperated by the idea that the “sweet Holy Spirit” is the private instructor of biblical interpretation. That particular epistemological approach has led to incredible harm.
I agree. His Spirit’s essence is both holy and sweet, however, how it’s applied in this comment gives me pause for the same reason you mentioned. I can only originate it more on the emotional level, which certainly has a place in life and understanding, no doubt, but not correctly placed in trying to decipher millennia old Hebrew/Greek words of their meaning. As soon as I start feeling what I think something might mean driven by my tightly woven box of theological axioms that I inevitably attach strong feelings to I think I start moving down the path of confusion by my own mind. It’s merely a cue to dive in and rethink, restudy, and regroup, if necessary, a particular verse, words, or teaching. It’s always a journey of discovery and ownership translated in to me person action one way or the other.
It is so easy belief what I THINK I want it to say rather than to spend the time, effort, blood, sweat and tears to find all possible meanings and jiggle them out over long times spent digging, deciphering and developing meaning. I use to simple accept the opinion of anyone that spoke authoritatively. Not so much anymore. No one has a final dogmatic say. Few have valued, in depth and reliably strong authoritative opinions that hold up to strenuous attack of the apologetic kind.
Most in the Baptist churches I’ve attended rely on the Lord speaking to them by thumbing through the Bible, stopping magically on some page chosen with one’s eyes closed, then running a finger over the page allowing the “sweet Holy Spirit” to mysteriously but accurately stop their finger on that one special verse to guide them for that day. Is He capable of doing that? Absolutely. However, I CERTAINLY don’t believe He wants us to learn of Him in that manner habitually or even mostly any more than I think a parent would council their child to pick a college major by closing their eyes and run their finger up and down the course catalog until they feel the Holy Spirit stopping it on that ONE SPECIAL major corresponding to His will! How ludicrous it sounds, but, that is viewed as an acceptable method for Scripture study.
I’ve sat through many Bible studies over the years where the main emphasis of the study was to go around the room and have each member of the study tell what they thought the Holy Spirit was telling them the scripture meant. That’s it…no regard to context, culture, language, etc. I’m also not saying that this can’t happen, and in fact, I know it does happen at times. But to base one’s total understanding of Scripture on this method of interpretation is extremely dangerous. I agree with Skip that this has caused many problems over the years. I know that I just cringe if and when I find myself in that type of study. However, that method of study is what the Christian evangelical movement taught for many years…an emphasis on anti-intellectualism. I am pleased to see many people waking up and realizing that a massive lie has been perpetrated on the Church over about the past 150 years. Understanding Scripture takes hard work and I personally am thankful for people like Skip who have dedicated and devoted themselves to sharing their study and insights with all of us who care to listen. Thanks Skip!
I am a bit perplexed here. Are you suggesting that a member of the tribe of Benjamin is NOT Jewish? That would be quite a statement.
Joseph and Benjamin were the “Love Children” of Jacob by Rachel the woman he loved. He was tricked into marrying Leah.
I think I posed this question before but neither Skip nor others acknowledged it.
Were the children of Jacob born through the slaves of Rachel and Leah legitimate Jews after the Promise? If so, then why is Ishmael, sired by Abraham through the slave of Sarah, not given legitimate status and part in the Promise to this very Day?
Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1
I’ll take a stab at that question, Ray. And, keep in mind, it’s simply by way of reading a few Jewish sage’s comment in this regard. Much and many of their comments ring true and viable. While Jacob’s children were explicitly named as benefactors of the promise through Jacob, Ishmael’s promise was not in the terms of carrying on the promise. On the surface these aren’t just arbitrary choices by God altogether. God choses on the heart not appearance as exemplified in the choice of David over his siblings.
While traditional evangelical commentaries paint Joseph’s brothers are the ‘bad’ guys for throwing him in the hole, Jewish thought is they were actually true disciples of their father’s dream to carry out the promise of God. They threw him down the hole because they perceived Joseph as loose and too care-free. In other words, not one really committed to carry on their father’s vision of God’s promise and mission. While dedicated, the eleven were still immature somewhat in carrying out the plan. Through the years Joseph and the eleven matured obviously.
Joseph was chosen for his heart for the Lord. Similarly, Jacob was chosen over Esau because Jacob’s heart showed God he was inclined toward Him as opposed to Esau’s heart inclined to more worldly and fleshly actions.
Ishmael follows the same pattern. Isaac heart was well understood by God in that he showed in his life to be dedicated to God’s mission. Ishmael, while well blessed by God with great things as evidenced through history, also had his heart known by God to be well under desired to take on and do what it took to fulfill God’s plan for his “child,” the collective Israel to come.
God chooses not arbitrarily but by clearly knowing the bent of a heart. God certainly didn’t just choose Abram willy nilly. God saw demonstratively that Abram chose God amidst a plethora of false gods being honored during his early days prior to being chosen. Abram, by his own intuitive figuring, observation and study figured out that there was only ONE god, not many. He alone stood “on the other side” of the whole rest of the world (the basic meaning of the word ‘Hebrew.’) God honored that free will choice of Abram and chose him to be the father of the people God chose to stand out, above, as priests to represent him, demonstrate His will and character and fix the broken world.
God ‘hated’ Esau and ‘loved’ Jacob is merely the expression of approval and rejection as a holy instrument uniquely managed to bring about God’s redemptive plan, through the Jews. Salvation is through them.
My two bits.
And worth every cent. Thanks.
Thanks for your contribution, Mike, but you completely avoided my specific question I think is legitimate to ask.
Jacob got the promise through the laying on of hands by Issac. That’s why Esau was so angry when Issac told him it was too late. Remember Esau sold the inheritance to Jacob many years early for a morsel of temporary food, not valuing the Spirit.
Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him because Jacob favoured him as his 1st born from Rachel. The coat of many colours was the straw that broke the camel’s back. By throwing Joseph down the well, they were not thinking about God’s Redemptive plan.
There is no denying God’s redemptive plan is revealed through the Jews. No rational person can separate Jesus from Judaism. Jesus is King of the Jews after all. I suppose no one can Spiritually call themselves a Jew if they do not acknowledge Christ as their King?
God could have made sure Hitler was never born.
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life.
But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; but SAVE HIS LIFE.
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself with; and he sat down among the ashes.
Then said his wife to him, Do you still retain your integrity? curse God, and die.
But he said to her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
I have learned the value of Patience when things do not go the way I want or like. The Lord’s redemptive work is still at work, I believe, for the individual and the world.
Sorry, Ray. I thought I did address the issue of Ishmael somewhat. Certainly not exhaustively, however, to the point of answering, at least generally, why Ishmael’s descendants weren’t specifically part of God’s plan. They were with legitimate status as Abrahams sons, just not heir to the promises associated with the land and mission. God was clear and specific in that regard. Hard to argue with that and not hard to envision as I can see.
Regarding your statement “By throwing Joseph down the well, they were not thinking about God’s Redemptive plan”, I am not sure you can say that too strongly. There is a great deal of Jewish literature dealing with this issue from the oral tradition which was given pretty weighty value in learning and understanding much that we don’t get to read about in the Bible. Just because it isn’t specifically recorded in the Bible doesn’t demean the veracity of much of the oral traditions as to filling in the blanks. For the most part the Bible is very skilled in word usage by saying much with few words. It is also sometimes stingy with many details giving only an overview of what happened. There are camps that think the oral traditions are inspired and other camps that disagree. Either way they still offer a high value of insight as to the ‘between the lines’ information we can glean.
The Torah, as the formal first 5 books of the Bible, was written specifically for the new nation of Israel that came out of Egypt. It’s written looking back and presenting a firm foundation for the new nation to stand on as to the reliability of God as their single source of supply, protection and direction and overall source. It’s written a such a way as to provide what was important to know. The evidence of much of the oral traditions passed down faithfully provides us with some valid information to consider for all those ‘between the lines’ issues. While much must be flagged as strong inference a large chunk of commentary by dedicated, focused and committed sages delineates that the other eleven brothers, while maybe not knowing the total full picture, they did, indeed, grasp the gravity, weight and impetus necessary to continue the full bodied vision and mission their father had exposed them to, taught them all and impressed the necessity of continuing to each successive generation. This isn’t just a story of some mom, dad and their large family. This is a description of how a legacy was birthed, nourished and then flourished through real people – in this case the twelve children.
It wasn’t done in a vacuum. There was deep, wide and rich character being lived, developed and prepped for many, many future generations. The dozen kids weren’t just a run of the mill clan. They were special, chosen and nourished by God through their family structure. They were steeped in their fathers ways, mindset and and stubborn determination that has characterized the Jews for generations. That stubbornness has been their greatest strength and greatest weakness at times. The tenacious quality was passed down with great energy, focus and commitment beginning with Abraham. Abraham was the father of our faith not magically or by arbitrary choice, but because he was a strong, tenacious, determined and force to be reckoned with humanly speaking. The miracle of the Jewish nation being with us today has been a close relationship of God’s direction and leadership and faithfulness and the child “Israel’s” tenacious spirit of passing on that which God demanded them to in their development as the worlds example in restoring that which was broken.
OK, let’s see if I can directly add something to the answer. Were they legitimate children of Jacob? Yes. Why? Because they were acknowledged as such by the father, Jacob, both at birth, during life and at his death. Remember that our procedure of recognizing sons is not the same as the way of the nomads in ancient Israel. Furthermore, the narrator tells us that these sons are the sons who make up the tribes of Israel (the opening words of Exodus) and therefore also endorsed by God.
Ismael, although also the son of a slave, was not recognized by God as heir to the promise granted to the son who came through God’s efficacy, not human accommodation. The process of conception and gestation may have been similar, but the result was not. It is God’s specific endorsement that matters here, not the actual birth genealogy. God does bless Ismael with a promise, just not the same one as Isaac.
The difference does not depend on who begot whom. It depends entirely on who God endorses. And, by the way, that is exactly the lesson for Peter in his vision on the rooftop.
Ishmael was also at the bedside of Abraham at his death. Ishmael was the 1st to be circumcised in Abraham’s household.
Moving on to another topic, being Canadian, I was hoping the Canadian Cardinal would be elected Pope. I am very pleased with the unexpected election of the New Pope Francis from Argentina. In his 1st speech, he said his mission will be to promote the Universal Brotherhood of Man. All people of Good Will should pray he be successful in that effort.
Why is this significant to me more than to others? Many of you came to my article, ‘The Imperial Pope’ featuring a video of Francis before the Pope that was similar to a dream I had in Venice, California in 1976 posted in one of Skip’s articles way back.
http://ray032.com/2011/02/26/the-imperial-pope/
The new Pope was ordained on the 13th Day in 1969 and assumed the Papacy on this 13th Day of March. As an historical Public record, on September 13, 1976, The Kansas City Times quotes me as saying;
¨There are 30 months before the fate of the world will be sealed with EITHER destruction OR the universal brotherhood of man,¨ he said. ¨The 30 month figure concerned a Treaty between Israel and Egypt.¨
Not 29 or 31, but exactly 30 months later, in March 1979, history shows a Treaty between Israel and Egypt was signed, The Camp David Accord. History shows the talks broke down on the 12th day and no Treaty was to be signed. Begin and Sadat were leaving.
It was on the 13th Day, as in the date of the Article and the picture accompanying it, an unexpected window of opportunity appeared and opened the way for the Treaty to be signed.
This signified the Universal Brotherhood part of the quote. It oftentimes does appear to me the world has been sealed with destruction reading the news media.
Anyone interested, you can see the 2 original Kansas City Times articles for yourself here. The 2nd was published on All Souls Day, November 2, 1976:
http://ray032.com/2011/02/23/from-the-revolutionary-spirit-of-76-to-the-revolutionary-spirit-of-11/
Naturally, I am thrilled and curious with all these co-incidences, and can hardly wait to see what God has in store and reveals to the world.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. ~Genesis 17:20
What do you do with this verse? It is written.
Who’s indoctrinating whom? 🙂 Sooooo glad i didn’t get super educated, indoctrinated or brain washed. 🙂
Thank you Sweet and Holy Spirit
Confessing from the mouth alone does not mean salvation. If it did, Christ would not see and say this 2000 years ago and Today.
You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But IN VAIN they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 15
Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Matthew 7
We are justified by our Faith, but Faith without works is dead. As Mother Teresa recognized;
The Fruit of Faith is Love,
The Fruit of Love is Service.
Let us always remember even Jesus said it is God that does the works lest anyone should boast.
Then answered Jesus and said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he see the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
John 5
~ For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness ~ (Romans 4.3)
~ Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty ~
~ And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness ~
~ Good sirs, what must I “do” to be saved? ~
~ Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you shall be saved ~
My behavior will bewray (reveal) my beliefs. If (it’s a big “if”) I (falsely) believe I shall have 72 black-eyed Virginians waiting for me in heaven if I blow myself up and take other innocent infidels with me, my “beliefs” (ludicrous though they may be) absolutely will influence my behavior to the point of “doing” something about “what I believe to be true.” If (I’m full of what ifs’!) I foolishly believe it is in my power or ability to rob a bank (please do note- I have no desire to actually rob a bank)- but nonetheless there is advance planning involved here and also a “false sense of security” or “belief” that this heist can be handled- this “my believing” will result in “my doing.” (If) I “believe” she likes me.. what follows next? ” I think I’ll ask her to go on a date with me.. And…. “action!”
The question I have here is “Who?” Who did Abraham believe and (of course)- why? Friends, may we all recall.. Abram (whose name was soon to be Abraham!) had a history of friendship with God. Abram had entered into the covenant of friendship with his Maker. (This was actually -the LORD’s doings and it is marvelous in our eyes) but we must remember, Abram had a history with God before God “asked” (not commanded!- (remember “na?”- “please.”), His friend Abraham to offer the son of promise, Isaac, as a propitiating blood sacrifice. Remember? ~ He raised the knife to slay his son! ~ And talk about perfect timing! ~ At that (precise) moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” (Genesis 22.11) This “here am I” (in Hebrew “hineni”) should be our “prayer of presentation” when we also answer our ADONAI.
And oh my friends- what happened next? Yes, please .. Let us (together) remember this moment and once again, even before the incarnation of the Infinite One- “behold the Lamb of God”
~ And Abraham lifted up his (reddened- tear-stained) eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son ~
Yes, Abraham, you too..may “behold the Lamb!!” slain from the foundation of the world..
Folks.. isn’t this the “master theme” of the entire Book of God? -“Behold the Lamb?”
Yes, – I do believe it is..
Then “Who” will I worship during the celebration feast of Passover?
and
When I saw the cleansing fountain
Open wide for all my sin,
I obeyed the Spirit’s wooing,
When He said, “Wilt thou be clean?”
I will praise Him! I will praise Him!
Praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
Give Him glory, all ye people,
For His blood can wash away each stain.
Though the way seems straight and narrow,
All I claimed was swept away;
My ambitions, plans and wishes,
At my feet in ashes lay.
Then God’s fire upon the altar
Of my heart was set aflame;
I shall never cease to praise Him
Glory, glory to His Name!
Blessed be the Name of Jesus!
I’m so glad He took me in;
He’s forgiven my transgressions,
He has cleansed my heart from sin.
Glory, glory to the Father!
Glory, glory to the Son!
Glory, glory to the Spirit!
Glory to the Three in One!
(Margaret J. Harris, 1898)
Did God take the cue from Abraham willing to sacrifice his beloved son Issac, in offering up his son Jesus to redeem humankind from sin?
Hi Ray!
Have you read the Book of (J)asher? Curious thing about that ram in the bush. I’ll see if I can find the link to the source that i found earlier.
By the way, a silly question came to mind today. Can pigs swim? Oops! Make that two questions, LOL…… Why is pork called “the other white meat?” Do you have any idea?
I’ve found out about why one shouldn’t feed ones pearls to swine. Oh well. Guess i’ll just keep on asking, seeking, knocking and fishing.
Thank you, Spirit of Revelation!