We’ve all been taught that actions speak louder than words. But words also provide us with the reason for taking action in the first place. In this week’s epistle text, Paul emphasizes this interconnectedness of words and actions, of interior motivations and exterior motions, in the expression of faith in Christ.

Paul cites Deuteronomy 30:14 to contrast his contention about “the righteousness that comes from faith” (Romans 10:6). But while Deuteronomy exhorted the Israelites to “choose life” and find righteousness through the Law, through obeying all the commandments given by God to Moses, Paul declares that righteousness is now found in a different way. Just as the Law was “near” to the Israelites, so is this new “word” accessible and knowable to all who…