Objection · Case 04 · The Trinity
In Romans 10, couldn’t “Lord” refer to God the Father throughout? Paul doesn’t explicitly say Jesus in verse 13.
One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Response
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.
About this exhibit
This objection is to Calling on the name of the LORD becomes calling on Jesus, Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13.
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.
Under Claim 07: New Testament writers take Old Testament passages that speak about the LORD, the God of Israel, and apply them directly to Jesus.