Evidence · Case 04 · The Trinity
Calling on the name of the LORD becomes calling on Jesus, Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13
One exhibit from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Joel promises salvation to “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord,” meaning YHWH. Paul quotes the line and applies it to calling on Jesus for salvation.
Sources
Joel 2:32, NASB.
Romans 10:13, NASB.
Objections & responses
- In Romans 10, couldn’t “Lord” refer to God the Father throughout? Paul doesn’t explicitly say Jesus in verse 13.
The context settles it. Verse 9 says if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, verse 12 says the same Lord is Lord of all, and verse 13 says everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The Lord being confessed and called upon is Jesus, and the confession Jesus is Lord uses the Greek word (kyrios) that the Septuagint uses to render YHWH. Paul is quoting a text about calling on YHWH and applying it to calling on Jesus.