For there is no difference of Jew and Greek; for the same Lord of all [is] rich towards all that call upon him.
Paul has just promised salvation to whoever believes. That word "whoever" raises a question: does it include the Greek — anyone outside Israel — as well as the Jew? Verse 12 answers by erasing the sharpest line the law ever drew, and by showing how rich God is toward all who call on Him.
Paul had used the phrase "no difference" earlier in the letter. The repeat is deliberate, and the two uses run in opposite directions.
J. N. DarbyIt is clear that if it is "whoever" believes in Jesus, the Gentile comes in as well as the Jew. It is beautiful to see this form of expression, "There is no difference," repeated here. The apostle had used it before with the addition "for all have sinned." Sin puts all men on a level in ruin before God. But there is also no difference now, "for the same Lord over all is rich toward all." Everyone who calls on His name will be saved.
Both statements are true at once, but they are not about the same thing.
Hamilton SmithAlready the apostle has shown that there is "no difference" on our side — all are under sin before God. Now he shows there is "no difference" on God's side. God is acting in grace toward all, is rich to all who call upon Him.
The line being erased was real. The law itself had drawn it, which makes its removal striking.
C. H. MackintoshThere was the greatest possible difference under the law. There could not be a broader or clearer dividing line than the one the lawgiver had drawn between the Jew and the Greek. But that line is wiped out, for two reasons. First, because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Second, because "the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him."
The title "Lord over all" carries weight. So does the Old Testament text Paul quotes next, which speaks of Jehovah — the covenant name of God.
W. W. FeredayNotice in passing one of the many incidental proofs of the Deity of Christ. This verse is quoted from Joel 2:32, where the reference is plainly to Jehovah; in Romans 10 it is applied to the Lord Jesus. Then He is Jehovah! If He were not, He would not have the competence to be the Saviour of men. He is moreover "Lord over all." So everyone must bow to Him, either now or in the great hereafter.
His lordship and His riches, though, reach people differently.
F. B. HoleJesus is "Lord over all" whether they call upon Him or whether they do not. But the richness of His saving power is only at the disposal of those who call upon Him.
How far do these riches reach? One writer measures them against the worst in us.
C. H. MackintoshThe riches of the grace of God are such that they reach down to the very deepest depths of human ruin, guilt and misery. The light of divine glory reveals man's utter ruin as nothing else could. But the riches of divine grace, shown in the person and work of Christ, have fully met that ruin.
The condition attached to these riches is the one thing a helpless person can still do.
W. W. FeredayWhat must a person do to be saved? Simply "call" upon the name of the Lord. This was all Israel could do while they suffered in Egypt. To shake off Pharaoh was impossible; to get rid of the slave-drivers was out of the question; but they could cry to God. In the same way today, the one who calls upon the name of the Lord, acknowledging Him as his only hope, will be saved.
Yet not every cry counts as this cry.
Arthur PridhamThe calling spoken of here is not the vague cry of an uneasy conscience. It is the cry of faith… Faith takes hold of the person of Christ with the firm grip of conscious dependence on Him alone. It knows there is no help or safety anywhere, inside or outside, except in Him.
This truth can be denied by behaviour as well as by argument. That is what happened at Antioch.
William J. HockingThe basic teaching of Christianity is that there is no difference in man's guilt. There is also no difference in God's mercy to all who call upon the Lord. Those who still made a difference between Jews and Gentiles were setting this aside at Antioch.
- No difference in ruin. Sin puts every person on one level before God, whatever their background.
- No difference in grace. The same phrase returns on God's side: He acts in grace toward all alike.
- One Lord over all. Paul applies to Jesus the words Joel spoke of Jehovah. He is Lord whether people call on Him or not.
- Riches for the caller. His saving power reaches the deepest human ruin, but only those who call receive it.
- Calling is faith. Not an uneasy conscience but dependence on Christ alone — and a truth that must show in how we treat others.
For every one whosoever, who shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.
Commentary for this verse has not been generated yet.