Romans 10:13

Paul anchors his argument with a quotation from the prophet Joel: salvation belongs to "whosoever" calls on the name of the Lord. The breadth of that word is the heart of the verse. Paul has just insisted there is no difference between Jew and Greek before God, and this line proves it -- the door is as wide as the word "whosoever."

To "call upon the name of the Lord" is more than uttering a word; in Scripture it means turning to God in trust, appealing to Him as the only one who can save, and acknowledging who He is. Paul applies to Jesus a promise the prophet spoke of the Lord, drawing the reader into the conviction that the risen Christ is the one upon whom we call. The promise is unqualified by background, status, or past: the only requirement is the calling itself, which is the cry of a heart that has come to trust. For anyone who feels too far gone or too far outside, this verse leaves no one excluded. The invitation is open, and the salvation it promises is sure for all who call.