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Topics Research

Question

What does telos (G5056) mean in Romans 10:4? Termination, goal/purpose, or fulfillment?

Topics

LAW

Source: Nave's Topical Bible

General scriptures: PSA 19:7-9; 119:1-8; PRO 28:4,5; MAT 22:21; LUK 16:17; 20:22-25; ROM 2:14,15; 7:7,12,14; 13:10; 1TI 1:5,8-10; JAS 1:25; 1JN 3:4; 5:3

Of Moses: Given at Sinai (EXO 19; DEU 1:1; 4:10-13; 33:2); received by disposition of angels (DEU 33:2; ACT 7:53; GAL 3:19; HEB 2:2); was given because of transgressions until the Messiah arrived (GAL 3:19); engraved on stone (EXO 20:3-17; DEU 4:13; 5:4-22; 9:10); preserved in ark of covenant (EXO 25:16; DEU 31:9,26).

Divine authority: EXO 19:16-24; 20:1-17; 24:12-18; 31:18; LEV 26:46; DEU 4:10-13,36; 5:1-22; PSA 78:5; 103:7; ISA 33:22; MAL 4:4; ACT 7:38,53; GAL 3:19; HEB 9:18-21

Prophecies of the Messiah: LUK 24:44; JHN 1:45; 5:46; 12:34; ACT 26:22,23; 28:23; ROM 3:21,22

Epitomized by Jesus: MAT 22:40; MRK 12:29-33; LUK 10:27

TEMPORARY (Nave's classification): JER 3:16; DAN 9:27; MAT 5:17-45; LUK 16:16,17; JHN 1:17; 4:20-24; 8:35; ACT 6:14; 10:28; 13:39; 15:1-29; 21:20-25; ROM 3:1,2; 7:1-6; 8:3; ROM 10:4; 2CO 3:7-14; GAL 2:3-9; 4:30,31; EPH 2:15; COL 2:14-23; HEB 8:4-13; 9:8-24; 10:1-18; 11:40; 12:18,19,27

Note for analysis: Nave's classifies Rom 10:4 under "TEMPORARY" -- this reflects one interpretive tradition. The analysis must evaluate whether this classification is warranted by the text.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Source: Nave's Topical Bible

By faith: GEN 15:6; ROM 4:3,5,9,11,13,20,22,24

Garment of: JOB 29:14; MAT 22:11-14

Counted for obedience: DEU 6:25; JOB 33:26

Fruits of: DEU 6:25; JOS 22:31; PSA 1:3; 15:1-5; 24:3-5; ROM 5:1-5; 6:19-22; 7:4-6; 8:4-6; 14:17-19; GAL 5:22,23; EPH 5:9; PHP 1:11; 1JN 2:3-6,29; 3:3,6,7,9-11

Symbolized: EZK 47:12; REV 22:2

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Source: Nave's Topical Bible

General: NUM 16:3; DEU 9:4-6; ISA 64:6; 65:3-5; ROM 2:17-20; 3:27; 10:3; 11:19-21; GAL 6:3; REV 3:17,18

Instances: - Saul: 1SA 15:13-31 - Pharisees: LUK 11:33-54; JHN 8:33-59; 9:28-34 - Israel: ROM 10:3 (directly relevant -- Israel's self-righteousness is the immediate context of Rom 10:4) - The Laodicean congregation: REV 3:17

FAITH

Source: Nave's Topical Bible

General: ROM 1:16,17; 4:1-25; 5:1; 9:31-33; 10:6-10; 11:20,23; GAL 3:1-29; EPH 2:8; HEB 11:1-39; JAS 2:1-26; 1PE 1:5,7,9

In Christ: ROM 3:22-28; 9:33; 10:4,9; GAL 2:16; 3:1-29; PHP 3:9; HEB 12:2; 1PE 2:6,7; 1JN 5:4,5

Note: Nave's lists Rom 10:4 under "Faith in Christ" -- Christ is the telos of the law for righteousness to every one that "believeth" (pisteuonti).

SALVATION

Source: Nave's Topical Bible

Unclassified: ROM 9:30-33; 10:4,8-13; 11:1-36

Plan of: ROM 1:16,17; 10:3-9; 1CO 1:21-25; GAL 4:4,5

Conditions: MAT 3:2; JHN 3:3-12,14-18; 5:24; ACT 2:38

COMMANDMENTS

Source: Nave's Topical Bible

General: EXO 13:8-10; 20:3-17; DEU 4:5,9,10; 5:6-21; 6:4-9; 11:18-21; PSA 78:1-7

Precepts of Jesus: MAT 5:16,22-48; 22:21,34-40; JHN 13:34,35; 14:15,23,24; 15:12

Precepts of Paul: ROM 12:1-3,6-21; 13:8-14; GAL 5:1,16; 6:1,2; 1TI 1:4

Of men (not divine): ISA 29:13; MAT 15:3-20; MRK 7:2-23; ROM 14:1-6; 1TI 4:1-3

SCHOOL (from Nave's)

  • Schoolmaster (tutor, R.V.): GAL 3:24,25
  • The paidagogos concept links directly to the law's pedagogical function

Key Cross-References from Topic Entries

  • The LAW topic's "TEMPORARY" section and "Prophecies of the Messiah" section are both relevant to the telos question
  • The SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS topic explicitly lists "Israel ROM 10:3" as an instance -- this is the verse immediately preceding Rom 10:4
  • The FAITH topic lists Rom 10:4 under "In Christ," connecting telos with faith in Christ
  • The SALVATION topic groups Rom 10:3-9 together as a unit about the "Plan of Salvation"