Paul makes several statements regarding the acceptance of the gospel message by his fellow Jews. He emphasizes that the goal of his apostleship is the obedience of faith among all nations, Jews and Gentiles. He asserts that Gentiles, who did not actively pursue righteousness, have attained it through faith. This contrasts with the works-based approach of the law. Paul's argument highlights the inclusive nature of God's salvation and the significance of faith in receiving righteousness.

Israel failed to reach the law's intended purpose because they did not pursue it by faith but as if it were based on works. The law was designed to teach humans about their sinfulness and their need for God's grace. When the Savior promised by the law appeared, they did not recognize him and stumbled over him.

Paul explains the scandalous nature of Jesus by referring to Isaiah's prophecy of a stone that would cause stumbling in Jerusalem. Paul sees Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy. However, the same prophecy also promises salvation for those who believe in him. Paul desires his fellow Jews to understand that their eternal hope lies in Christ, not in their adherence to the law.

In Romans 10, Paul emphasizes the importance of knowledge and faith in pursuing righteousness. He addresses the zeal of the Jews, highlighting the need for it to be guided by knowledge and aligned with God's revealed truth. Paul explains that Christ is both the end and goal of the law, ushering in a new age where righteousness is attained through faith.
Drawing on Leviticus 18:5, Paul describes an approach that sees the law as the path to life. The problem is that only "doers of the law will be justified" (Rom. 2:13), and no one has ever kept the law perfectly. Moses understood that a heart change was necessary to be right with God (Deut. 10:16; 30:6). The law could convict of sin, and it directed Israel toward a life reflecting God's holiness and their devotion to Him. The gospel fulfills what Moses foreshadowed, calling people to trust, confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead. Jesus' lordship and resurrection are the foundation of Christian confession.

Anyone who believes and calls upon the Lord can receive salvation. To call upon Him, they must believe; to believe, they must hear; to hear, someone must preach; and to preach, someone must be sent. This has been Paul's mission for two decades as he writes Romans. He has been sent to preach, as Scripture affirms: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (Isaiah 52:7). The verdict is that many are not obedient to the gospel. Verse 17 summarizes how faith arises through hearing the gospel message. The "word of Christ" refers to the gospel message. Paul explores the issue of disobedience to the gospel, emphasizing that people have heard enough through their observation of nature to be accountable. He quotes Moses and Isaiah to illustrate Israel's imperviousness to hearing and God's openness to including Gentiles. Paul concludes that the reason for disobedience lies elsewhere and not in God or the message about Christ.