What does Romans 10:7 mean by "descend into the abyss"? Full Text in Context Romans 10:6–8: “But the righteousness that is by faith says: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or, “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart’—that is, the word of faith we proclaim.” Original Greek Phrase “Descend into the abyss” renders τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον; The noun ἄβυσσος (abyssos) denotes an unfathomable depth, a bottomless place, or the realm of the dead. The term appears seven times in Revelation (e.g., Revelation 20:3), in Luke 8:31 for the demons’ dreaded prison, and in Genesis 1:2 (LXX) for the primordial deep. Old Testament Background Paul adapts Deuteronomy 30:12–13. Moses spoke of God’s law: ‘It is not in heaven… neither is it beyond the sea (LXX: ἐπέκεινα τῆς θαλάσσης).’ Paul recasts “beyond the sea” to “into the abyss” because in Jewish idiom “the depths of the sea” became a metaphor for Sheol (cf. Psalm 71:20; Jonah 2:5–6). Qumran hymn 1QH 11.34 likewise links “sea-depths” with the underworld. Thus Paul remains faithful to the Mosaic thought yet sharpens it christologically. The ‘Abyss’ in Broader Scripture • Realm of imprisoned spirits: Luke 8:31 • Holding place for satanic forces: Revelation 9:1–2 • Symbol of chaos tamed by God at creation: Genesis 1:2 • Depth from which God brings up life: Psalm 71:20 “You will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” Hence, for Paul, the abyss is the domain of death—precisely where Christ already descended (Ephesians 4:9) and from which He is risen. Paul’s Theological Purpose Paul’s aim is not to outline the mechanics of Christ’s descent but to insist that salvation is accomplished. Humanity need neither scale heaven nor plumb death’s caverns; the incarnate, crucified, and resurrected Christ has already bridged both extremes. To attempt either is to imply His mission was incomplete. Resurrection Emphasis The parenthetical gloss “that is, to bring Christ up from the dead” explicitly ties the abyss to Christ’s resurrection. Paul employs a rhetorical device: hypothetical works (ascending, descending) versus simple, near “word of faith.” The resurrection, attested by over five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6)—a datum preserved in the early creedal material dated by scholars such as Habermas to within five years of the event—renders any human effort to “retrieve” Christ unnecessary. Patristic and Jewish Witnesses • Justin Martyr (Dial. 73) equates the abyss here with Hades. • Targum Neofiti on Deuteronomy 30:13 paraphrases “sea” as “depths of the great waters,” showing the Jewish interpretive trajectory Paul follows. • Irenaeus (AH 4.27.2) cites Romans 10:6–7 to argue that Christ’s saving work abolishes the gulf between God and man. Common Objections Addressed Objection: Paul is teaching a post-mortem evangel. Response: The descent language is rhetorical, not programmatic; the context is availability of the gospel now (“word is near you”). Elsewhere Paul stresses judgment follows death (Hebrews 9:27). Objection: “Abyss” merely equals “sea,” not Hades. Response: LXX uses abyssos interchangeably for both deep sea and underworld; Paul’s gloss (“bring Christ up from the dead”) removes ambiguity. Practical Implications a) Salvation is by faith alone; no heroic quest is required. b) Christ’s resurrection is historically anchored—validated by archaeology (empty-tomb site attested in first-century Jerusalem ossuaries lacking Jesus’ bones) and early creed transmission. c) Assurance: because Christ has conquered both heaven’s distance and the abyss’s depth, nothing can sever believers from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39). Summary “Descend into the abyss” in Romans 10:7 evokes the realm of death/Sheol. Paul harnesses Deuteronomy’s imagery to proclaim that the risen Christ has already traversed the chasm that sin created. The gospel therefore lies immediately “in your mouth and in your heart,” awaiting the response of faith. |
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