(1) The perfect agreement of the Old and New Testaments (Isa. 28:16). As in the case of Abraham, righteousness is not by works but by faith (Rom. 4: 20-24).
(2) Whosoever (whether Jew or Gentile) believeth shall be saved. The Jews had a difficult time including Gentiles in the kingdom of God.
(3) The certain connection between faith and righteousness (confession and salvation) is evident. Those who believe in Christ with their hearts and confess Him as their Lord shall be saved.
(4) Those who believe shall not be ashamed of Him nor will they ever be put to shame. His robe of righteousness covers our nakedness.
(Vs. 12) Not only is the Gentile NOT EXCLUDED from the mercy of God, but there is not the slightest difference in God's sight between Jew and Gentile. All have sinned (Rom. 3:22-23), and all are in need of the righteousness of Christ. God is able to supply the needs of all who truly call upon His name (Heb. 7:25).
(Vs. 13) This is from Joel 2:32. The NAME OF THE LORD signifies the Lord Himself. His name reveals WHO He is, WHAT He has done, WHY He did it, and WHERE He is now! And none other NAME can save (Phil. 2:6-11).
To call upon His name is to humble ourselves before Him, to recognize His majesty, to believe His promises, and to hope in His mercy.
(Vs. 14) In this verse Paul insists on the necessity of preaching the gospel to sinners. None can be saved who do not call on the Lord. None can call upon the true name of the Lord if they do not believe He is willing and able to save. None can believe He is willing and able to save if they have not heard of His grace, His death, and His redemption; and none can hear these things unless these glad tidings are preached to him! (Mark 16:15-16; James 1:18; John 5:24.)
(Vs. 15) These ambassadors of Christ who preach the glad tidings of salvation are sent by the Lord. They deliver His gospel under His authority and by the power of His Spirit (Matt. 28:18-19; II Cor. 5:20-21). The greatest blessing God can give to a people is a faithful preacher of the true gospel.
(Vs. 16) Though the gospel was to be preached both to Jews and Gentiles with the promise that whosoever believeth shall be saved, yet all who heard it did not believe it! This should not seem strange to those who are familiar with Scripture. Isaiah said, "Who hath believed our report?" (Heb. 4:2; I Cor. 2:8-10.) The gospel must be revealed by His Spirit (John 6:44-45).
(Vs. 17) So then faith depends on hearing. One cannot trust an unrevealed Christ. We must hear, not with the outward ear only, but with the heart. We must hear with desire, hear with understanding, hear with a need! (Matt. 13:15-16). Faith depends on hearing and hearing depends on the Word of God. It is essential to hear the WORD!
(Vs. 18-21) These last four verses deal with four things: