Romans 10:5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 10:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.
Romans 10:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, etc..] In this, and some following verses, an account is given of the two righteousnesses before mentioned, called their own and the righteousness of God; and that chiefly in the words of Moses, which is wisely done by the apostle, he and his writings being in great esteem among the Jews. The description he gives of the righteousness of the law, that is, righteousness which the law requires, and is done in obedience to its commands, is, that the man which doth those things, shall live by them, or “in them”; and which is to be seen in (<031805>Leviticus 18:5): “ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man do,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man that doeth--"hath done" those things--which it commands. shall live in them-- (Lev 18:5). This is the one way of justification and life--by "the righteousness which is of (or, by our own obedience to) the law."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For Moses describeth ... - This is found in Leviticus 18:5, “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them.” This appeal is made to Moses, both in regard to the righteousness of the Law and that of faith, in accordance with the usual manner of Paul to sustain all his positions by the Old Testament, and to show that he was introducing no new doctrine. He was only affirming that which had been long before taught in the writings of the Jews themselves. The word “describeth” is literally writes γράφει graphei, a word often used in this sense. The righteousness ... - The righteousness which a perfect obedience to the Law of God would produce. That…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For Moses describeth the only righteousness which is attainable by the law, when he saith, The man who doeth these things shall live by them - that is, he that perfectly keeps all these precepts in every point, he alone may claim life and salvation by them. But this way of justification is impossible to any who have ever transgressed any one law in any point. Lev 18:5 Romans 10:6”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:5 requires obedience to all of its commands: See Lev 18:5, where these words encouraged the Israelites to obey the law in order to enjoy long life and prosperity in the land that God was giving them (see also Lev 26:3-13; Deut 28:1-14). Paul sees the implication that if people want to be right with God through the law, they can only do so by obeying all of it.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“That the man: Lev 18:5; Neh 9:29; Eze 20:11, Eze 20:13, Eze 20:21; Luk 10:27, Luk 10:28; Gal 3:12 Romans 10:6”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification