But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven?(that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

ROMANS 10:6KJV
Know the Bible

Romans 10:6 (KJV)

What does Romans 10:6 mean?

Romans 10:6 describes how the kind of righteousness that comes from faith does not require a person to ask, “Who will go up to heaven?” as if someone must bring Christ down to earth. Instead, this verse shows that faith-based righteousness is not about impossible tasks or human effort to reach God.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining the difference between trying to be right with God through human effort (the law) and being right with God through faith. He uses language that echoes Deuteronomy, showing that faith does not demand extraordinary actions to access Christ. The focus is on trust in what God has already done through Jesus, not on striving to accomplish what only God could do.

The Greek behind Romans 10:6

  • δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē, “righteousness”): This word refers to being right or just before God. Here, it is specifically the righteousness that comes “of faith” (ἐκ πίστεως, ek pisteōs), highlighting that it is based on trusting God, not on personal achievement.
  • λέγει (legei, “speaketh”): The Greek verb here means “says” or “speaks.” Paul personifies righteousness as if it can speak, making the point vivid and memorable.
  • ἀναβήσεται (anabēsetai, “ascend”): This word means “to go up” or “to ascend.” Paul uses it to illustrate that no one needs to climb up to heaven to bring Christ down, emphasizing that Christ has already come.
  • καταγαγεῖν (katagagein, “bring down”): This verb means “to bring down.” The verse clarifies that faith does not require someone to bring Christ down from heaven, because Christ’s coming is already accomplished.

Why Romans 10:6 matters

  • Romans 10:6 clears up the misconception that people must perform great or mystical acts to reach God or to receive Christ.
  • The verse emphasizes that faith is about trusting in what God has already done, not about striving to achieve righteousness by human effort.
  • This verse connects to the larger argument in Romans 10, where Paul contrasts the law-based approach with the faith-based approach, showing that salvation is accessible and near to anyone who believes.

Where else these words appear

“bring” Greek G2609 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
  • Acts 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
  • Acts 23:28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

“is” Greek G5123 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
  • Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
  • Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

“ascend” Greek G305 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
  • Acts 20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

“righteousness” Greek G1343 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;