For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The core issue isn't just a lack of knowledge, but a willful ignorance fueled by pride. They were actively "seeking to establish their own righteousness," not passively missing God's, which blinded them to His perfect plan of salvation offered through faith. This confident self-reliance, rather than humble submission, is the real barrier.
For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining why the nation of Israel, despite having the law and the promises, largely missed God's plan for salvation. He acknowledges his deep love and prayer for them, but then directly addresses the core issue: their rejection of Christ stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of God's way of making people righteous. They were actively trying to create their own righteousness through adherence to the law, rather than submitting to the righteousness God offered through faith in Jesus.
It's easy to blame others for not understanding, but Paul points to a specific kind of ignorance that leads people astray.
Paul says the Jews were "ignorant of the righteousness of God." This isn't about not knowing facts, but a deeper ignorance of God's plan for making people right with Him.
What is God's Righteousness?
It's not primarily about God's personal holiness (though that's true too!). Here, it refers to God's way of declaring sinners righteous – not based on their merit, but through faith in Jesus Christ. It's a righteousness that comes from God, freely given.
A Voluntary Blindness
This ignorance wasn't accidental. The scholars point out it was often voluntary, a result of not looking closely at Scripture or accepting God's revealed plan. It's like having the answer key but refusing to look at it.
We all want to feel good about ourselves. But when does that desire to be 'good enough' become a barrier to God?
The verse contrasts God's righteousness with 'seeking to establish their own.' This highlights a fundamental conflict.
Building on Sand
Trying to establish our 'own righteousness' means relying on our good deeds, our efforts, our perceived merits to be accepted by God. It's like trying to build a solid house on shifting sand.
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The "Monument" of Self
Some scholars note the word for 'establish' suggests pride – they wanted to 'erect' a righteousness that would bring glory to themselves, not to God. This self-reliance makes us unwilling to depend on grace.
The Unwillingness to Submit
Because they were busy building their own platform of righteousness, they refused to 'submit' to God's way. True submission means admitting we can't save ourselves and accepting the righteousness God provides through Christ.
Understand the original words
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
Refers to the state of being morally right, justified, and in a right standing before God; it is a gift imputed by God through faith, rather than a quality earned by human behavior.
hypotassō · Greek Verb
To place oneself under the authority or government of another; in a theological context, it is the act of yielding one's self-sufficiency to the sovereign grace and standard of God.
The Jews' struggle in Romans 10:3 wasn't just a theological disagreement; it stemmed from a deeply ingrained cultural and religious mindset that valued human effort and adherence to the Law as the path to God's favor, a mindset they were unwilling to relinquish even when presented with God's gracious provision in Christ.
c. 200 BC - 1st Century AD
Jewish Emphasis on Law and Merit
During the Second Temple period, there was a strong emphasis among many Jewish groups on meticulously observing the Law of Moses as the primary means of righteousness before God. This often led to a focus on human effort and merit.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Rejection
Jesus publicly ministered, teaching a righteousness that involved inner transformation and reliance on God, often contrasting with the external, merit-based righteousness of some religious leaders. His message was largely rejected by the religious establishment.
c. AD 30-36
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was crucified, an event seen by His followers as the ultimate sacrifice for sins, fulfilling the requirements of God's righteousness. This act was rejected and misunderstood by many who clung to their own traditions and interpretations of the Law.
c. AD 30s - 60s— this verse
Early Spread of the Gospel
The apostles began spreading the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ across the Roman Empire. This message directly challenged the notion of earning righteousness through works of the Law.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
The massive fire that devastated Rome led to increased persecution of Christians, who were scapegoated by Emperor Nero. This period of turmoil and suffering would have been known to Paul as he wrote.
This passage directly contrasts having one's own righteousness, which is based on the law, with the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, echoing the core theme of Romans 10:3.
Luke 18:9-14The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector vividly illustrates the concept of self-righteousness versus humble reliance on God's mercy, directly paralleling the 'seeking to establish their own righteousness' and 'not submitting' to God's.
Matthew 23:28Jesus' critique of the scribes and Pharisees highlights their outward show of righteousness while being inwardly full of hypocrisy, a perfect example of 'seeking to establish their own righteousness' instead of submitting to the true righteousness God offers.
Galatians 3:23-25This passage explains that the law served as a guardian to lead people to Christ, implying that adherence to the law for self-justification (as the Jews did) missed its true purpose, which is to reveal our need for God's righteousness by faith.
barnesRomans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
For they being ignorant - The ignorance of the Jews was voluntarily, and therefore criminal. The apostle does not affirm that they could not have known what the plan of God was; for he says Romans 10:18-21 that they had full opportunity of knowing. An attentive study of their own Scriptures would have led them to the tr…
bengelRomans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
Romans 10:3 . Ζητοῦντες , seeking ) by all means.— οὐχʼ ὑπετάγησαν , have not been subject ) and have not obeyed ,” ( ὑπήκουσαν ) Romans 10:16 . Ὑποταγὴ , submits itself to the Divine will, τῷ θέλειν , the will of GOD.
The core issue isn't just a lack of knowledge, but a willful ignorance fueled by pride. They were actively "seeking to establish their own righteousness," not passively missing God's, which blinded them to His perfect plan of salvation offered through faith. This confident self-reliance, rather than humble submission, is the real barrier.
Paul is explaining why the nation of Israel, despite having the law and the promises, largely missed God's plan for salvation. He acknowledges his deep love and prayer for them, but then directly addresses the core issue: their rejection of Christ stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of God's way of making people righteous. They were actively trying to create their own righteousness through adherence to the law, rather than submitting to the righteousness God offered through faith in Jesus.
Paul is explaining why the nation of Israel, despite having the law and the promises, largely missed God's plan for salvation. He acknowledges his deep love and prayer for them, but then directly addresses the core issue: their rejection of Christ stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of God's way of making people righteous. They were actively trying to create their own righteousness through adherence to the law, rather than submitting to the righteousness God offered through faith in Jesus.
"For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness." — The core issue isn't just a lack of knowledge, but a willful ignorance fueled by pride. They were actively "seeking to establish their own righteousness," not passively missing God's, which blinded t…
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Last reviewed October 2026