Romans 9:29-33 (WEL) 30 What then will we say? [We will say] that the Gentiles who didn’t pursue [God’s standard of] righteousness have obtained righteousness, even the righteousness that is because of faith. 31 But Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, has not reached [the goal] of the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because [they didn’t seek it] by faith but as if it were by the works [of the law], for they stumbled at the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written, “Look, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense, and whosoever believes on him will not be ashamed.”
V30 What then will we say? [We will say] that the Gentiles who didn’t pursue [God’s standard of] righteousness have obtained righteousness, even the righteousness that is because of faith.
Many ethnic Israelites were diligent to obey Mosaic Law, but that Law doesn’t bring the righteousness that God requires. There are two ways people think they can be righteous in God’s eyes. The first is to work for it. The second is by not working but by believing in Jesus.
For the Jew’s righteousness was a goal and a duty. They sought it by keeping Mosaic Law. The Gentiles did not seek it. Yet, could it be that righteousness could be had without obeying Mosaic Law? Yes.
It is the righteousness because of faith. Compare Philippians 3:8-9.
The Pulpit commentary comments on this verse: “Hitherto the apostle has viewed his subject from the side of the Divine will and purpose. He now views it from the side of human responsibility. The rejection of the Jews is now attributed, not to God’s purpose to reject them, but to their own fault, in that they would not accept God’s terms.”
V31 But Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, has not reached [the goal] of the law of righteousness.
Israel failed because they believed they could keep the law, and if they did sin, an animal offering forgave sin. Israel believed they did not need a Messiah to deliver from sin, but only a Messiah who would deliver from enemies.
As the hymn reminds us:
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone:
Thou must save, and thou alone.
V32 Why? Because [they didn’t seek it] by faith but as if it were by the works [of the law], for they stumbled at the stumbling stone.
Works cannot bring righteousness, because the sins we have committed must be punished. Punishment for sin is death. So, either we die or a substitute dies.
Jesus is that substitute, the Passover Lamb for humanity (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Joseph Benson writes: “For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone — Which lay in their way. This is an allusion to one who, running in a race, stumbles on a stone in his way, and, falling, loses the race. The word “at” is not explicitly in the Greek but is understood by the dative case. The “stumbling stone is Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-8).”
V33 As it is written, “Look, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense, and whosoever believes on him will not be ashamed.”
Being ashamed refers to all of our sins being exposed. Compare Isaiah 28:16 (Septuagint) and Isaiah 8:14.
Matthew 15:16-20 (WEL) 16 Jesus said, “Are you still without understanding?” 17 Don’t you understand yet that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and comes out in the toilet? 18 “But those things which come out of the mouth come from the heart. They defile the person.” 19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies.” 20 “These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile people.”
Compare Romans 10:12-13. It is not works (Romans 2:13 and Romans 3:20) but faith that saves, forgives, and reconciles us to God (Romans 3:28, Romans 10:9, and Galatians 2:16).
We learn:
- We cannot earn righteousness.
- Righteousness is only by faith in Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- Are you trying to obtain salvation by doing more good works than evil works?
- Do you believe in Jesus alone for salvation?