By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Is Romans 10:11 stating that christians WILL NOT be ashamed of Jesus?
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Answer: NO…
It would make for a “Nice Thought” if there would be “No Christians” who would NEVER be ashamed of Christ, unafraid or unwilling to share the Gospel, BUT in reality there are MANY christians that unfortunately are.
Romans 10:11 is one of those versus ALONG WITH Chp. 9, Verse 33 that contains a MIS TRANSLATION (this is why I am not Kjv Only BUT Kjv Preferred). see my Q & A’s – #13, #166, and #393
The word SHALL is the Greek word MELLO and it can be translated as SHOULD or SHALL and the the context of the verse and surrounding verses determines the translation. Based on this criteria Romans 9:33 and 10:11 SHOULD HAVE been translated as SHOULD which would have put the verse in agreement with other verses dealing with the Freewill of man.
Romans 10:11 SHOULD read as follows… For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him SHOULD not be ashamed.
The word SHALL in the Greek is in the absolute sense in other words “You have to do it” you have no choice. The word SHOULD is in the Non absolute sense in other words “You have the choice to do it or not to do it” you have freewill.
To explain the difference, Lordship Salvationist take Romans 9:33 & 10:11 and say SEE if you were “really saved” you would not be ashamed to proclaim Christ BUT this is FALSE TEACHING which takes away the Free will of the believer.
Here are a few verses that show the difference between “You have to do it” – Absolute, and “You can choose to do it or not do it ” – Non Absolute.
ABSOLUTE:
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall (will) speak, they shall (will) give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall (will) all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall (will) bow to me, and every tongue shall (will) confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall (will) give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must (shall = will) all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
NON ABSOLUTE:
Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall (should) be able to teach others also.
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall (should) take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.
In Conclusion:
Romans 9:33 & 10:11 have been taught falsely WITHOUT any regard to the context or consideration of the Greek, It is no wonder that 9:33 and 10:11 are Mis-Understood.
SOMETIMES you have to INVESTIGATE FURTHER INTO then “Just the plain reading of the text”.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH