Israel's unbelief
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
When Paul alludes here to what “Scripture says,” he is going back once more to Isaiah 28:16, which was also quoted at the close of chapter 9. As previously noted in this chapter, theoretically there can be only one of two possible approaches to salvation. It is through either deeds or faith, merit or grace, doing or receiving.
The Word is near you, Paul says, and that Word declares, “Anyone who trusts in him [Christ] will never be put to shame.” When the final reckoning has been made, when the dust has settled, the verdict will always be favorable to those who have trusted in God’s mercy as shown in Christ. Believers will not be left holding the bag, embarrassed and ashamed because they have foolishly trusted in someone who was unreliable. No, they will never be put to shame for trusting God’s promises.
It will be that way because salvation does not depend on human input but on God’s grace and mercy. Paul can confidently and boldly declare the truth that “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.”
God has done everything. Man has done nothing and needs to do nothing. It remains for us merely to receive God’s great gift by accepting and believing God’s promises—or as Paul says, by calling on the name of the Lord.