Calling Upon The Name Of The Lord In Romans 10:13

Romans 10:12-14, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

Pastor Max D. Younce of the heritage Baptist Bible Church in Walnut Grove, Minnesota has written a helpful commentary on Romans 10:12-14 which is tremendous...

V. Interpretation – Romans 10:12-14.

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” (Romans 10:12)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

The word “call” in these verses is not to obtain salvation, as those invited to call are already saved as Verse 14 states.

“How then shall they call on him (Christ) in whom they have not believed?... (Romans 10:14a)

May I also point out concerning the word “saved” in Verse 13? A lost person never has to call, or ask the Lord to save them. Their salvation is already completely paid for. You never have to ask the Lord to do something He has already done for our salvation. The Lord is asking you to come to Him by faith and receive the peace of knowing you have eternal life, and to rest in His promise that you will never experience the flames of Hell. Two verses of Scripture will substantiate this briefly.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1)

Now that one is a Christian, they are invited to receive an additional rest and peace in their life. This invitation is given in using your life for Christ. The invitation is given in Matthew 11:29,30.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (29) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

In Romans 5:1, we have received salvation and the peace with God. Now in Philippians 4:4-7 one can have the peace of God in serving Him.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (4)

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (5)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (6)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

1. “Save, Saved, Call, and Ask” – Have Different Applications According to Context.

Now, after taking a brief venture down a tributary, we will return to our main concern in Verses 12 to 14. The words “save, saved, call, and ask” are used with different applications according to the context of the verse.

a. Save From Drowning.

Here is one of the many examples where the disciples woke up the Lord and asked Him to save them from drowning in the storm.

“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. (24) And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.” (Matthew 8:24-25)

b. God is Rich to Give Wisdom. – James 1:5, 6.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (5) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:5-6)

c. “Let Your Requests Be Made Known.” – Philippians 4:6,7.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (6) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

d. “Whatsoever We Ask…” – 1 John 3:21,22.

“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (21) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1 John 3:21-22)

e. “Ask Anything According to His Will.” – 1 John 5:14,15.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (14) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

f. “Come Boldly to the Lord in Time of Need.” – Hebrews 4:15, 16.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (15) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Note: “Saved” in Verse 13 is the Greek “sozo” and may also be translated as “deliverance” from DANGER, persecution, suffering and etc. as the context warrants.

The foregoing are only a handful of the riches that are extended to all Christians in Verse 12. It all begins with His first “rich” gift of salvation to anyone who will receive it by faith.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (4) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (5) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (6) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (7) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8) Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Most every Christian has sung a very familiar song found in our Hymnals, “Count your blessings, Name them one by one, Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.”

Should each Christian practice this, it would eliminate a lot of discouragement, hopelessness, frustration, and heartache. Our previous blessings do not have to stop, unless we stop serving the Lord. Let us keep the Lord’s blessings coming.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2)

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7)