Although Romans 9–11 is primarily about God’s dealings with national Israel, Paul also talks about Gentiles along the way. Paul begins (Romans 9:1–5) and ends (Romans 11:25–32) these chapters with Israel, and he speaks of them in Romans 10 as well—he prays “for them” (Romans 10:1; cf. 9:31) and repeatedly identifies Israel as the subject of his words (Romans 10:19, 21). Chapter 10 examines Israel’s unbelief (cf. Romans 10:1–3, 21).
In Romans 10:1–4, Paul reveals his sorrow and anguish again (cf. Romans 9:1–3) by noting his desire and prayer that Israel would be saved, a prayer that will be answered one day (Romans 10:1; cf. 11:26).Until then, Israel has “a zeal for God,” but this zeal is unfortunately misguided—it is “not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Some Israelites like Phinehas and Elijah had a godly zeal (Numbers 25:6–13; 1 Kings 19:10, 14), but, like Paul in his days as an unbeliever, Israel zealously attempts to keep the law apart from Christ (Romans 10:2a; cf. Acts 9:1–5; 22:3–5; 26:4–5; Gal 1:13–14; Phil 3:4–6). “Being ignorant of the righteousness of God” in Christ, Israelites were “seeking to establish their own” righteousness, causing them to “not submit to God’s righteousness,” which again, is found only in Christ (Romans 10:3).
Paul then points to Christ as “the end of the law” (Romans 10:4). In one sense, He is the end of the law and its era altogether. Our current era is a new one in which we no longer live under the law but under grace (cf. Romans 3:21; 6:14–15; 7:1–6). By His law-keeping obedience, Christ lived out the law’s righteous demands and died to pay its penalty for sins, thus fulfilling the law and bringing it to an end. This obedience and its gracious gift of righteousness comes with eternal life to you and me by faith (Romans 5:15, 17, 18, 21).
By saying this, we should clarify a couple of matters. First, God still requires our obedience. We live not by the law of Moses but the law of Christ, a law of love and faithfulness. Second, though the law has come to its end, it is still Scripture that God uses to grow and guide us today (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Third, salvation was always by faith, even during the era of law before the coming of our Lord.
Coming back to Christ as “the end of the law,” in another sense, He is the end of the law to each person who has been seeking righteousness apart from Him. He “is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).
Mentioned above, Romans 9–11 speaks primarily of Israel, but it obviously speaks to us as well. Christ lived, died, and lives again for us, giving His righteousness to all who believe in Him. May He be the focal point of our faith and love, knowing all He did for us.