Romans 10:5 (KJV)

What does Romans 10:5 mean?

Romans 10:5 explains that Moses described a kind of righteousness based on following the law, saying that anyone who does the things required by the law will live by them. This means that under the law, life and righteousness depend on actually doing everything the law commands.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, quoting what Moses said in the Old Testament to show the difference between righteousness based on the law and the kind that comes by faith. Paul’s point is that the law’s standard is strict: it promises life only to those who fully obey its commands, highlighting how demanding that path is.

The Greek behind Romans 10:5

• δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē, “righteousness”): This word refers to being considered right or just. Here, it is specifically the kind of righteousness that comes from trying to keep the law’s rules.
• νόμος (nomos, “law”): This means the law of Moses, the commandments given in the Old Testament. Paul is pointing to the law as a whole system, not just a few rules.
• ποιέω (poieō, “doeth”): The verb means to do or to practice. The emphasis is on actually carrying out the law’s requirements, not just knowing them.
• ζάω (zaō, “live”): This word means to live, often with the sense of having true life or being alive in God’s eyes. Here, it suggests that life is promised only to those who keep the law completely.

Why Romans 10:5 matters

• Romans 10:5 helps clarify that the law’s standard is about perfect obedience, not just good intentions or partial effort.
• This verse sets up Paul’s argument about the difference between law-based righteousness and faith-based righteousness, which is central to understanding the next verses.
• By quoting Moses, Paul connects his teaching to the Jewish Scriptures, showing respect for the law while also explaining its limits.