The word is near you
Paul uses Moses' words about the command being near, in the mouth and in the heart, while speaking of the word of faith.
But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
Deuteronomy 30:12-14 says that the command is not in heaven or beyond the sea. It is near, in the mouth and heart. Romans 10:6-8 takes up this wording and says that the word is the word of faith being proclaimed. Verses 9-10 speak of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. David Guzik writes: “We do not gain God’s righteousness by works. Instead, we gain it by confessing and believing in the person and work of Jesus Christ.” ©1996-present The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik - enduringword.com.
