Romans 10:5 – “Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

Paul, in this verse, is quoting from the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:5) to make a contrast between two ways of trying to be right with God—through the law or through faith in Jesus Christ. He is reminding his audience that the law requires absolute obedience. If a person chooses to pursue righteousness by the law, then they must live by it completely. In other words, righteousness through the law is only possible if someone follows all of it perfectly—something no one has ever been able to do.

The problem is that human beings are sinful and cannot keep the law perfectly. That’s why trying to be right with God through following rules will always fail. Paul is pointing this out to show that righteousness by the law is impossible. Instead, he will go on to show that righteousness comes by faith in Christ.

This verse is not saying that the law was bad, but that it was never meant to be the final solution for righteousness. The law was given to reveal sin and show people their need for a Savior. Since no one could fully obey the law, God provided a better way—through Jesus Christ.

Historical Context

Paul is writing to an audience that included both Jews and Gentiles. Many Jewish believers struggled with the idea that righteousness could come through faith alone, without obeying the Mosaic Law. For generations, the Jewish people had followed the commandments of Moses, believing that by doing so, they would be right with God.

Leviticus 18:5, which Paul quotes here, was originally given to the Israelites as part of God’s covenant with them. It stated that if they obeyed God’s commands, they would have life. But history had already shown that Israel repeatedly failed to keep the law, which led to their need for sacrifices, atonement, and ultimately, a Savior.

By quoting Moses, Paul is reminding his Jewish readers that if they insist on pursuing righteousness through the law, they are required to keep the law perfectly—a standard no one but Jesus has ever met.

Theological Implications

1. The law demands perfection. The law is not a partial standard—it requires full obedience. James 2:10 reinforces this when it says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
2. No one can be made right with God through the law. The law reveals sin but does not provide a way to remove it permanently. That’s why Paul emphasizes faith in Christ as the only true path to righteousness (Romans 10:6-9).
3. The law was never meant to save people. It was given to lead people to Christ by showing them their inability to be righteous on their own (Galatians 3:24).

Literary Analysis

Paul’s use of Leviticus 18:5 is intentional. The phrase “The person who does these things will live by them” sets up a contrast between living by the law and living by faith. The word “live” in this context means more than just physical life—it refers to spiritual life and being in right relationship with God.

This verse connects to a major theme throughout Paul’s writings: the contrast between law and faith. In the very next verses, he will go on to explain that righteousness through faith is based on trusting in Christ, not in one’s own efforts.

Biblical Cross-References

• Leviticus 18:5 – “Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them.” This is the verse Paul is quoting.
• Galatians 3:10-11 – “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’” Paul directly contrasts law and faith here.
• Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
• Philippians 3:9 – Paul speaks of righteousness “that comes from God on the basis of faith,” not from the law.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today still fall into the mindset that being a “good person” is what makes them right with God. They think if they follow certain moral rules or religious practices, God will accept them. But Paul’s words remind us that trying to be right with God through good works will always fall short.

This verse is a warning to those who think they can earn their way to heaven. The law requires perfection, and none of us can meet that standard. Instead, we must trust in the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He does not leave people under the burden of the law. He knows that no one can keep it perfectly, so He provides a way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Rather than demanding perfection from sinners, He offers grace and forgiveness to those who believe.

God gave the law as a guide, but His ultimate plan was always to bring people into a relationship with Him through faith. His love is demonstrated in the fact that He does not require us to earn our salvation, but freely gives it to those who trust in Christ.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the only person who has ever perfectly fulfilled the law. Because He lived a sinless life, He was able to take the punishment for our failure to obey the law.

• 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.”
• Romans 8:3-4 – “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus lived the life we could never live and paid the price we could never pay. Because of Him, we don’t have to live under the impossible standard of the law—we can receive righteousness as a free gift through faith.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think people still try to earn righteousness through their own efforts?
2. How does this verse show the difference between law and grace?
3. In what ways do you sometimes rely on your own good works instead of trusting in Jesus?
4. What does it mean to live by faith rather than by the law?
5. How can understanding this verse deepen your appreciation for what Jesus has done?

Romans 10:5 is a powerful reminder that righteousness cannot be achieved through the law. The law shows us our sin, but faith in Jesus is the only way to be made right with God. Instead of striving to earn God’s approval, we are called to trust in Christ and rest in the righteousness He provides.