Romans 9:30-32
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. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The surprising truth here is that the Gentiles didn't even pursue righteousness, yet they attained it. This highlights that salvation isn't about earning God's favor through our efforts, but receiving His gift of righteousness through faith.
Paul is addressing the apparent paradox of God choosing Gentiles, who didn't actively pursue righteousness, over Jews who rigorously followed God's law. He's explaining that while Israel sought righteousness through their own efforts under the law, the Gentiles, despite their prior ignorance, attained righteousness through faith in Christ. This highlights that salvation is not based on human striving but on God's sovereign grace received by faith.
Paul drops a bombshell: people who weren't even looking for righteousness somehow got it. How is this possible? It flips everything we might assume about earning God's favor.
Paul highlights a stunning contrast in Romans 9:30. The Gentiles, who, by and large, weren't actively pursuing a specific path to righteousness or trying to earn God's approval through religious law, 'attained' it. This wasn't because they deserved it or worked for it.
The Gentile Reality
Before faith, the Gentiles were often depicted as living in darkness, ignorant of God's specific commands and the striving for 'righteousness' as the Jews understood it. They weren't running the religious race that the Jews were.
The Divine Initiative
Yet, they 'attained' righteousness. This attainment wasn't through their own effort or seeking. Instead, it was a gift freely given, a result of God's sovereign grace reaching out to them. The key is that this righteousness comes 'by faith.' It’s not something they achieved, but something they received through trusting in God.
The righteousness attained isn't magic. It's accessed in a specific way. What role does faith really play here, and why is it so crucial?
The verse clarifies that the righteousness the Gentiles attained is 'by faith.' This is crucial because it distinguishes the means of receiving God's righteousness from the source.
Faith as the Receptacle
Faith isn't the price paid for righteousness; it's the hand that receives the gift. It's the humble acknowledgment that we cannot earn our standing with God, and it’s trusting in what God has provided through Christ.
Contrast with Legalism
This stands in stark contrast to the approach of those who 'followed after righteousness' through the law (as seen in the following verses). Their pursuit, though perhaps zealous, was misplaced. They sought righteousness through their own efforts and adherence to rules, rather than by simply trusting the one God sent. Faith is the open door, not the work required to build the door itself.
Understand the original words
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
This verse highlights a key turning point where God's redemptive plan, previously focused on the Jewish people and their pursuit of righteousness through the Law, extends to Gentiles who had not pursued it in the same way, offering them righteousness solely through faith in Christ. This was a radical shift that challenged deeply ingrained Jewish expectations.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its population and ending its existence as a distinct entity. This event foreshadows future exiles and dispersions for the Jewish people.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a significant portion of the Jewish population. This marks a profound crisis in Jewish history and identity.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
After conquering Babylon, Cyrus the Great issues an edict allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This allows for the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire's oppression, led by the Maccabees, results in a period of Jewish independence and religious revival. This highlights Jewish zeal for their law and traditions.
This passage echoes Romans 9:30 by highlighting Abraham as an example of being counted righteous through faith, not through works or adherence to law, underscoring the theme of righteousness by faith for both Jew and Gentile.
Philippians 3:9Similar to Romans 9:30, this verse contrasts 'my own righteousness which is from the law' with 'the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ,' emphasizing that true righteousness is a gift received by faith, not earned by human effort.
Romans 1:17This foundational verse, which Paul uses to introduce the concept of justification by faith, directly supports the idea presented in Romans 9:30 that righteousness is attained through faith, not by human striving or merit.
Isaiah 28:16Paul quotes this Old Testament prophet in Romans 9:33, linking it to the concept of a stumbling stone, but the verse itself speaks of laying a foundation of faith in Zion, from which salvation comes – a foreshadowing of righteousness being found through faith, not human pursuit.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's declaration that God shows no partiality and accepts anyone who fears Him and does what is right directly illustrates the principle in Romans 9:30, showing that God's favor, including righteousness, is available to Gentiles who respond in faith.
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 truth here is that the Gentiles didn't even pursue righteousness, yet they attained it. This highlights that salvation isn't about earning God's favor through our efforts, but receiving His gift of righteousness through faith.
Paul is addressing the apparent paradox of God choosing Gentiles, who didn't actively pursue righteousness, over Jews who rigorously followed God's law. He's explaining that while Israel sought righteousness through their own efforts under the law, the Gentiles, despite their prior ignorance, attained righteousness through faith in Christ. This highlights that salvation is not based on human striving but on God's sovereign grace received by faith.
Paul is addressing the apparent paradox of God choosing Gentiles, who didn't actively pursue righteousness, over Jews who rigorously followed God's law. He's explaining that while Israel sought righteousness through their own efforts under the law, the Gentiles, despite their prior ignorance, attained righteousness through faith in Christ. This highlights that salvation is not based on human striving but on God's sovereign grace received by faith.
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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.
pistis · Greek Noun
The biblical response to God's revelation, involving personal trust, reliance, and commitment to the object of faith (Christ). It stands in direct contrast to human merit or performance.
ergon · Greek Noun
Human deeds, efforts, or observance of religious rituals performed with the goal of meriting divine favor, standing, or salvation.
proskomma · Greek Noun
A metaphorical obstacle that causes one to fall into sin or judgment. It refers to the offense of the cross, where the necessity of faith in a crucified Messiah causes unbelievers to fall.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33
Life, Ministry, and Death of Jesus Christ
The life, teachings, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ occur during the Roman period in Judea. His ministry and message lay the foundation for the early Christian movement.
c. AD 30s - AD 50s
Early Spread of the Gospel
Following Jesus' ascension, his followers, including apostles like Paul, begin to preach the gospel message of salvation through faith in Christ to both Jews and Gentiles across the Roman Empire.
c. AD 57-58— this verse
Paul Writes Romans from Corinth
The Apostle Paul, likely while in Corinth, writes his Epistle to the Romans. In this letter, he addresses theological issues surrounding salvation, the Law, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of redemption.
"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. W…" — The surprising truth here is that the Gentiles didn't even pursue righteousness, yet they attained it. This highlights that salvation isn't about earning God's favor through our efforts, but receiv…
