Romans 10:8

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church, mid-argument, having just quoted Deuteronomy 30:12–13 to reject the idea that righteousness requires ascending to heaven or descending to the abyss. He now turns to the third line of that same Deuteronomy passage to reframe what "the word" actually is.

The words — ῥῆμα (rhēma) is the key noun: a spoken declaration, a specific utterance, distinct from the general concept of λόγος. It is this declaration that ἐγγύς (engus, "near") stands to the hearer.

The thread — The direct source is Deuteronomy 30:14, where the "word" is Torah and the demand is obedience; Paul recontextualizes it as "the word of faith we are proclaiming." Romans 1:16 supplies the content of that word (the gospel as God's power), and 1 Timothy 4:6 echoes the phrase "words of faith."

Why it lands — The verse strips away any notion that salvation is remote, hidden, or requiring special access. It demands nothing beyond what is already within reach: hear, believe, confess.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
1 Timothy 4:6 By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
1 Peter 1:25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
Galatians 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Galatians 3:5 Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.