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by christ.ph · 4 min read

“Lord, Lord” vs. “Calling on the Name of the Lord”

“Lord, Lord” vs. “Calling on the Name of the Lord”

Understanding Jesus’ Warning and God’s Promise

When we read the Bible, we sometimes find statements that seem to say opposite things. For example:
• Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
• But Paul wrote: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13, quoting Joel 2:32).
At first, these sound contradictory. How can some who call “Lord, Lord” not be saved, while others who call on His name are promised salvation? The key is found in understanding what the Bible means by the word “name.”

  1. The Meaning of “Name” in Scripture
    In the Bible, a “name” is far more than a word or label.
    • Old Testament Hebrew (shem): means character, reputation, authority, presence.
    • New Testament Greek (onoma): means identity, authority, power, essence of a person.

    So when the Bible speaks of the “name of the Lord,” it doesn’t mean just saying “God” or “Jesus.” It means appealing to who God truly is — His character, His authority, His saving power.
    To call on His name = to depend on His person and power, not just pronounce a word.
  1. Jesus’ Warning: “Not Everyone Who Says, Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7:21–23)
    Jesus warned that many people would one day stand before Him claiming to know Him:
    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

    What does this mean?
    • These people used His title (“Lord”) but did not actually submit to His authority.
    • They performed religious works (preaching, miracles, even exorcisms) but without genuine obedience to God’s will.
    • They spoke His name but did not truly know Him, nor did He know them.

    Jesus is warning us: Empty words and outward religion cannot save. Simply saying “Lord, Lord” — or even doing ministry — is not the same as belonging to Him.
  1. Paul’s Promise: “Everyone Who Calls on the Name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13)

    Paul, quoting the prophet Joel, declares:
    “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

    Here the meaning is different from Jesus’ warning. This is not an empty cry, but a sincere appeal to Jesus Christ in faith.

    Paul explains in the same chapter:
    • Romans 10:9–10 – “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
    • Romans 10:11 – “The one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

    What does this mean?
    • To call on His name is to trust His authority, saving power, and sacrifice.
    • It is not about repeating a phrase, but believing in Him from the heart.
    • It is a cry for deliverance, an act of surrender, and a declaration of faith.

    Paul is teaching: True calling on the Lord’s name — with faith and surrender — always leads to salvation.
  1. Why the Two Statements Are Different

    • “Lord, Lord” in Matthew 7 = lip service, outward religion, or using Jesus’ title without true obedience.
    • “Calling on the name of the Lord” in Romans 10 = genuine faith, surrender, and reliance on Christ’s authority and saving work.

    Or in simple terms:

    • One is pretending to belong to Christ.
    • The other is depending on Christ.
  1. What This Means for Us Today

    Many people still say “Lord, Lord” without truly knowing Him.
    • Some call Him Lord but live their own way.
    • Some claim to work for Him, but their lives show no real submission to His authority.
    • Some think religious activities or titles guarantee salvation.

    But Jesus says the real question is: Do I know you?

    On the other hand, anyone — no matter how sinful or broken — who sincerely calls on the name of Jesus with faith will be saved. This is the promise of God:
    • Forgiveness of sins.
    • Freedom from judgment.
    • Eternal life with Him.

Conclusion

There is no contradiction between Matthew 7 and Romans 10. Instead, together they reveal a powerful truth:
• Not everyone who merely says “Lord, Lord” will be saved.
• But everyone who truly calls on the name of the Lord — trusting His authority and power — will be saved.
So the difference is clear:
• Saying “Lord” = using a title just in the lips
• Calling on His name = trusting His authority, character, and saving power.

One is empty words.
The other is true faith that leads to eternal life.

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