Romans 9:30-31
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The surprising point here is that Paul isn't saying the Gentiles were blameless for not pursuing righteousness; rather, he highlights that their very lack of self-effort, which contrasted with the Jews' earnest striving, made them more open to receiving God's unearned righteousness through faith. This wasn't about earning favor, but about recognizing their need for a righteousness they hadn't achieved themselves.
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the perplexing reality of God's dealings with Israel and the Gentiles, explaining why many Israelites rejected God's offer of salvation while many Gentiles embraced it. He has shown from the Old Testament prophets that God's plan was not to save all Israelites but to choose a remnant and to include Gentiles, even though this seemed unfair. This verse highlights the surprising outcome: Gentiles, who hadn't actively pursued righteousness, found it through faith, while many Jews, who diligently followed the Law, missed it.
Imagine working tirelessly for something, only for someone else, who never even looked for it, to receive it. That's the paradox Paul unpacks here. How can this be fair?
Paul highlights a stunning contrast: Gentiles, who weren't actively seeking righteousness through religious observance, attained it. This wasn't because they deserved it or had a special spiritual drive. They were, by nature, far from God's standard. Yet, they received justification – being declared righteous before God.
This 'attainment' wasn't by their own effort ('followed not after righteousness'). Instead, it came to them through faith in Jesus Christ. It's a gift, freely given and received, not earned through striving. This flips the script on human pride and self-sufficiency.
If righteousness isn't earned, how is it accessed? Paul points to a simple, yet profound, answer that the world often overlooks.
The 'righteousness' the Gentiles attained wasn't their own man-made version. It was 'the righteousness which is of faith.' This refers to the imputed righteousness of Christ, credited to believers by God.
Faith, in this context, isn't a work that earns favor. It's the hand that receives God's unearned gift. It’s the trust placed in God’s promises and in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. This faith opens the door for God's righteousness to be imparted to us, transforming our standing before Him.
Understand the original words
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dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
The quality of being right, just, or conformed to God's standard. In the Pauline epistles, it often refers to the righteousness that God credits to believers through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the law.
pistis · Greek Noun
A trust, reliance, or confident commitment of the heart to God and His promises. It is the instrument through which an individual receives the gift of justification and salvation.
Istraēl · Greek Proper Noun
The people descended from Jacob/Israel, chosen by God as His covenant people through whom the Messiah would come. In this context, it refers to the historical nation that struggled to accept the Gospel.
nomos · Greek Noun
In a theological sense, the moral standard and requirements of God's will. Here, it refers to the legalistic pursuit of keeping the Law to earn standing before God.
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
The state of being declared right or just before God. It is a forensic status based on God’s grace received through faith, rather than human achievement.
Paul highlights the radical inclusivity of God's plan: Gentiles, who had no prior pursuit of righteousness according to Jewish law, found it through faith in Christ, while many Jews who rigorously followed the law stumbled by rejecting Him.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Life of Jesus Christ
Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection marked the pivotal moment for the new covenant, opening the way for both Jews and Gentiles to receive righteousness through faith.
c. AD 30s - 40s
Early Spread of Christianity
Following Pentecost, the Gospel message rapidly spread from Jerusalem to various parts of the Roman Empire, including significant Gentile populations.
c. AD 46-49
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul, a Jew, embarked on his missionary journeys, actively preaching the Gospel to Gentiles and establishing churches in Asia Minor and Greece.
c. AD 50
Council of Jerusalem
This council addressed the issue of Gentile inclusion in the church, affirming that salvation by faith in Christ was sufficient, without adherence to Jewish law.
c. AD 57
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul penned his Epistle to the Romans, likely from Corinth or Cenchreae, to articulate the theological underpinnings of the Gospel and prepare for his visit to Rome.
This passage beautifully echoes the theme of Gentiles being brought into God's family, not by adhering to Jewish law, but through faith in Christ, just as Romans 9:30 highlights. It shows that righteousness is by faith for all believers, regardless of their background.
Philippians 3:9Paul here contrasts his own former zealous pursuit of righteousness through the law with the true righteousness that comes from faith in Christ. This directly parallels the contrast in Romans 9:30 between those who pursued righteousness by works and those who attained it by faith.
Isaiah 65:1-2This Old Testament prophecy, which Paul alludes to, foretold God actively reaching out to a people (the Gentiles) who were not seeking Him, offering them His righteousness. It's a powerful precursor to the declaration in Romans 9:30 that the Gentiles attained righteousness they hadn't pursued.
Romans 10:3-4Immediately following this passage, Paul directly contrasts the Gentiles' attainment of righteousness by faith with Israel's failure to find righteousness because they sought it through the law. This section elaborates on the paradox presented in Romans 9:30.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's declaration that God shows no favoritism and accepts anyone who fears Him and does what is right demonstrates the principle Paul is articulating: God's righteousness is available to Gentiles who have faith, even if they didn't follow the Mosaic law.
clarkeRomans 9:30: "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith."
What shall we say then? - What is the final conclusion to be drawn from all these prophecies, facts, and reasonings? This: That the Gentiles which followed not after righteousness, etc. This, with the succeeding verses, together with what belongs to the same subject in the beginning of the following chapter, I have explained…
gillRomans 9:30: "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith."
What shall we say then?.... To God's calling of a large number of the Gentiles, and only a very few of the Jews, according to his eternal purposes and decrees; what can be objected to it? is he chargeable with any unrighteousness? must it not be referred to his sovereign will and pleasure? is it not an instance of his grace a…
The surprising point here is that Paul isn't saying the Gentiles were blameless for not pursuing righteousness; rather, he highlights that their very lack of self-effort, which contrasted with the Jews' earnest striving, made them more open to receiving God's unearned righteousness through faith. This wasn't about earning favor, but about recognizing their need for a righteousness they hadn't achieved themselves.
Paul is addressing the perplexing reality of God's dealings with Israel and the Gentiles, explaining why many Israelites rejected God's offer of salvation while many Gentiles embraced it. He has shown from the Old Testament prophets that God's plan was not to save all Israelites but to choose a remnant and to include Gentiles, even though this seemed unfair. This verse highlights the surprising outcome: Gentiles, who hadn't actively pursued righteousness, found it through faith, while many Jews, who diligently followed the Law, missed it.
Paul is addressing the perplexing reality of God's dealings with Israel and the Gentiles, explaining why many Israelites rejected God's offer of salvation while many Gentiles embraced it. He has shown from the Old Testament prophets that God's plan was not to save all Israelites but to choose a remnant and to include Gentiles, even though this seemed unfair. This verse highlights the surprising outcome: Gentiles, who hadn't actively pursued righteousness, found it through faith, while many Jews, who diligently followed the Law, missed it.
"What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law." — The surprising point here is that Paul isn't saying the Gentiles were blameless for not pursuing righteousness; rather, he highlights that their very lack of self-effort, which contrasted with the…
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Last reviewed October 2026
