Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse is a powerful statement about the purpose of Jesus Christ in relation to the law. Paul explains that Jesus is the “culmination” (or end) of the law, meaning He fulfills it completely. The law of Moses, with its commandments and sacrifices, was never meant to be a permanent system for making people right with God. Instead, it was pointing forward to Jesus.

Paul is making it clear that righteousness—being right with God—does not come from obeying the law. Instead, it comes through faith in Jesus. The Jewish people had spent generations trying to follow the law to earn righteousness, but Paul is saying that the law’s purpose was always to lead them to Christ. Now that He has come, the way to be right with God is through faith in Him, not through trying to keep the law.

This means that salvation is available to “everyone who believes”—not just Jews who had the law, but also Gentiles. Anyone, regardless of background, can receive the righteousness of God by trusting in Jesus.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter at a time when there was great tension between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church. Many Jewish Christians still thought that following the Mosaic Law was necessary to be truly righteous. Some even insisted that Gentiles should follow Jewish customs to be accepted by God.

The Jewish people had lived under the law for over a thousand years, and it had shaped their entire identity. The idea that Jesus had fulfilled the law and that righteousness came through faith, not through obedience to the law, was a radical message. Paul himself had once been a Pharisee, completely devoted to the law (Philippians 3:5-6), but after encountering Jesus, he realized that salvation was by grace through faith, not by works of the law (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Paul’s statement in this verse directly challenges the belief that keeping the law is necessary for salvation. He is telling both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the one who brings righteousness, and faith in Him is what matters.

Theological Implications

1. Jesus fulfilled the law. The law was given to show people their sin and point them to their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). Jesus lived a perfect life, obeyed the law completely, and then took the punishment for sin through His death on the cross. Because of this, He “fulfilled” the law’s purpose (Matthew 5:17).
2. Righteousness comes through faith, not through works. Many people try to earn God’s approval through religious works, moral efforts, or good behavior. But Paul makes it clear: righteousness is given to those who believe in Christ, not to those who try to earn it through the law.
3. Salvation is for everyone. This verse is a major turning point in Scripture. No longer is righteousness tied to the Jewish law—now it is available to all people, Jew and Gentile alike, through faith in Jesus. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations (Genesis 12:3).

Literary Analysis

Paul uses the Greek word “telos” for “culmination” or “end.” This word does not simply mean termination, but goal or fulfillment. Jesus did not abolish the law—He completed it. The law’s purpose was to lead people to Christ, and in Him, its mission is fulfilled.

The structure of this verse also presents a cause-and-effect relationship: because Christ is the fulfillment of the law, righteousness is now available to all who believe. This transition from law to faith is a key theme throughout Romans.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 5:17 – Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
• Galatians 3:24-25 – “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”
• Romans 3:21-22 – “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known… This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
• Hebrews 10:1 – “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that we don’t have to earn God’s love or approval through religious efforts. Many people fall into the trap of thinking they need to do enough good deeds, follow certain religious traditions, or be “good enough” to be accepted by God. But Paul makes it clear—Jesus is the one who makes us right with God, and all we have to do is believe in Him.

For Christians today, this verse also means that we should not place legalistic burdens on ourselves or others. Our faith is not about following a set of religious rules—it is about trusting in Christ and living in His grace. That doesn’t mean we ignore God’s commands, but we obey out of love and gratitude, not to earn righteousness.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He provided the way to righteousness through Jesus. Instead of requiring us to meet an impossible standard, He sent His Son to fulfill the law for us. This shows His grace and kindness—He does not demand that we earn our way to Him, but He offers salvation freely through faith.

God’s love is also seen in the fact that salvation is available to everyone. He does not restrict righteousness to a particular group of people, but He invites all who believe to receive it. This is the heart of the gospel—God loves the world and provides salvation for all who will trust in Jesus (John 3:16).

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. Everything in the Old Testament pointed to Him. The sacrifices, the priesthood, the commandments, and the prophecies all found their completion in Jesus.

• Jesus lived a sinless life, obeying the law perfectly (Hebrews 4:15).
• He became the perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:12).
• Through Him, we receive the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Faith in Jesus replaces the old system of law-based righteousness (Galatians 2:16).

This verse sums up the entire message of the gospel: Jesus completed the law’s purpose so that we could receive righteousness by faith.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “culmination of the law”?
2. Are there ways in which you try to earn righteousness instead of trusting in Jesus?
3. How does this verse challenge legalism in the Christian life?
4. Why is it important that salvation is available to “everyone who believes”?
5. How does understanding this verse change the way you think about your relationship with God?

Romans 10:4 is a powerful declaration of the gospel. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, and through Him, righteousness is available to all who believe. This truth frees us from trying to earn salvation and calls us to trust completely in Him.