But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

ROMANS 10:8KJV
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Romans 10:8 (KJV)

What does Romans 10:8 mean?

Romans 10:8 presents the message Paul and his companions preach as near and available, rather than far away. Paul calls it “the word of faith,” a message received through faith and expressed with the mouth.

The words “in thy mouth, and in thy heart” draw on Deuteronomy 30:14. Paul uses the wording to describe the message he preaches, after the questions about reaching heaven and the deep in the preceding verses.

The Greek behind Romans 10:8

  • “word” — ῥῆμα (rhēma): The Greek word can mean something spoken, such as a saying or message. Here Paul identifies the “word” as the message he and his companions preach.
  • “faith” — πίστις (pistis): The Greek word carries the sense of trust or belief. It helps identify the message as one concerned with faith.

Why Romans 10:8 matters

  • Paul connects his message with Israel’s Scriptures. His wording comes from Moses’ words about the commandment being near, but Paul identifies the near word as the message he preaches.
  • The mention of both mouth and heart prepares for verse 9. There Paul connects the mouth with acknowledging Jesus as Lord and the heart with believing that God raised him from the dead.

Where else these words appear

“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:

“nigh” Greek G1451 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  • Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

“preach” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

“word” Greek G4487 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;