9
Although Paul does not use a typical introductory formula (i.e., "Scripture
says...") in Rom. 10:6, three observations support the conclusion that Paul does indeed
quote Deut. 30:12-14. First, he frequently quotes Scripture without an introductory
formula at all,
so an atypical formula should not immediately lead to the conclusion that
he does not intend a citation. Second, Paul continues his use of Deuteronomy in v. 8 with
the phrase
DMOOD9 WLY OHYJHL;, which is likely to be an abbreviated form of the phrase WLY
OHYJHL K- JUDIKY; (cf. Rom. 4:3; 11:2, 4; Jas. 4:6). In fact, several manuscripts include K-
JUDIKY in v. 8, giving the reading, "but what does the Scripture say?,"
which provides
evidence of an early belief that Paul meant to quote Scripture here. It is probable that in
v. 6a Paul means, in effect, "Scripture says concerning the righteousness of faith." Third,
Paul clearly and frequently quotes Scripture throughout chaps. 9-11 in an effort to
demonstrate that God's Word has not failed. He desires to prove that he is preaching
nothing new, but what is contained in the Torah. Anything less than a quotation for the
OT proof of his monumental statement that "Christ is the
WHYOR of the law" is unlikely.
Paul is fairly faithful to the LXX in his use Deut. 30:12-14:
Rom. 10 LXX
Deut.
30
v. 6
K GH9 HMN SLYVWHZ GLNDLRVXYQK
v. 12
RX^WZ OHYJHL PK9 HLSK_ HMQ WKa
RXMN HMQ WZ_ RXMUDQZ_ DQZ HMVWLQ
NDUGLYD_ VRX WLY DMQDEKYVHWDL
OHYJZQ WLY DMQDEKYVHWDL K-PL Q
HLM WR9Q RXMUDQRYQ WRXaW HVWLQ
HLM WR9Q RXMURQR9Q NDL OKYP\HWDL
;ULVWR9Q NDWDJDJHLaQ
DXMWKQ KMPL Q NDL9 DMNRXYVDQWH
$XMWK9Q SRLKYVRPHQ
10
Cf. Gal. 3:11.
11
Rom. 9:7; 10:18; 11:34-35; 12:20; 1 Cor. 2:16; 10:26; 15:27, 32; 2 Cor. 10:17; 13:1. For further
discussion, see Ellis, Paul's Use, 156-85.
12
E.g., mss D, 33, 104, 365, 629