but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights a subtle but crucial distinction: Israel pursued "a law that would lead to righteousness," but didn't reach it. This wasn't about failing to keep the law perfectly, but about pursuing it for the wrong reason—as a path to earning righteousness, rather than as a guide for those already made righteous 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 explaining why the Gentiles, who didn't actively seek righteousness, found it through faith, while Israel, who diligently pursued righteousness through the Law, missed the mark. He emphasizes that Israel's pursuit was based on their own efforts to keep the Law, rather than on faith in God's grace, leading them to stumble over Christ himself. This highlights a central theme of the chapter: God's sovereign choice in salvation, which doesn't always align with human expectations or efforts.
Israel was zealous for God's Law, yet missed the point. What does this tell us about how we approach God's commands today?
Paul highlights that Israel was actively pursuing 'the law of righteousness.' This wasn't a faulty law given by God; it was God's very own Law, which, by its nature, is righteous and points to righteousness. They weren't ignoring God's commands; they were intensely focused on them, striving to keep them perfectly.
A Righteous Pursuit, a Wrong Goal
The issue wasn't a lack of effort or a flawed divine instruction. The problem lay in why and how they pursued it. They saw the Law as a way to earn righteousness, to make themselves right with God through their own diligent efforts and obedience. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the Law's true purpose.
They ran the race, but never reached the finish line. What hidden obstacle prevented Israel from attaining true righteousness?
The verse states that Israel 'did not succeed in reaching that law.' This wasn't just about failing to perfectly keep the Law; it was about failing to reach the true function or ultimate end of the Law.
The Goal of the Law
The Law's true purpose isn't to be a means of self-justification. Instead, it serves several crucial roles:
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Israel, by seeking to achieve righteousness through the Law, missed the Law's pointing finger towards Christ. They pursued the Law as an end in itself, rather than as a guide to the righteousness found only by faith in God's provision.
Understand the original words
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.
This verse speaks to the deep-seated desire within Israel to achieve righteousness through meticulously following the Law. However, their historical trajectory, marked by exiles and a persistent reliance on legalistic observance, shows a tragic failure to grasp that true righteousness comes through faith in God's provision, not human effort.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Mosaic Law to Israel, outlining a path for righteousness and a covenant relationship.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and serving as a warning of judgment for unfaithfulness.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling much of the population. This represents a catastrophic failure of the covenant people.
c. 400 BC - AD 30
Second Temple Period
Israel lives under foreign powers (Persian, Greek, Roman), with various attempts to re-establish national and religious identity, often emphasizing strict adherence to the Law.
c. AD 25-30
Ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus
John the Baptist calls for repentance and a righteousness beyond mere external observance. Jesus begins his ministry, teaching a radical righteousness centered on faith and love.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified and resurrected, establishing a new covenant based on faith in his atoning sacrifice.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul writes Romans
Paul, likely in Corinth, writes his letter to the Roman church, explaining how righteousness is found through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the Law.
Paul contrasts his own prior zealous pursuit of righteousness through the Law with the true righteousness that comes from faith in Christ, mirroring the failure of Israel in Romans 9:31.
Galatians 5:4This passage declares that attempting to be justified by the Law renders Christ useless, directly reflecting the core issue of Israel's pursuit in Romans 9:31 – seeking righteousness apart from God's appointed way.
Hebrews 11:6This verse states that without faith, it is impossible to please God, highlighting why Israel's effort to attain righteousness by works (apart from faith) in Romans 9:31 was ultimately futile.
Matthew 7:21-23Jesus warns against those who perform many deeds in His name but do not do the will of the Father; this resonates with Israel's diligent effort in Romans 9:31 that ultimately failed because it wasn't aligned with God's true way.
Luke 18:9-14The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates the stark difference between self-righteousness and humble reliance on God's mercy, showing how earnest effort (like the Pharisee's) can miss the mark of true righteousness, just as Israel did.
cambridgeRomans 9:31: "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness."
31 . which followed ] Lit. following; and so better. the law of righteousness ] Not simply “ righteousness ,” as in Romans 9:30 ; because Israel had, what the Gentiles had not, the detailed revealed precepts . These precepts they “followed after,” i.e. strove to keep as a covenant of salvation. For this very reason they “did not attain to” them, i.e. they failed to reach the…
gillRomans 9:31: "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness."
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness,.... The Israelites, the far greater part of the Jews, who were not called by the grace of God, were all very zealous of the law, called "the law of righteousness"; because the matter of it was righteous, it was so in its own nature; and because perfect obedience to it is righteousness; as also because they sought for…
The text highlights a subtle but crucial distinction: Israel pursued "a law that would lead to righteousness," but didn't reach it. This wasn't about failing to keep the law perfectly, but about pursuing it for the wrong reason—as a path to earning righteousness, rather than as a guide for those already made righteous by faith.
Paul is explaining why the Gentiles, who didn't actively seek righteousness, found it through faith, while Israel, who diligently pursued righteousness through the Law, missed the mark. He emphasizes that Israel's pursuit was based on their own efforts to keep the Law, rather than on faith in God's grace, leading them to stumble over Christ himself. This highlights a central theme of the chapter: God's sovereign choice in salvation, which doesn't always align with human expectations or efforts.
Paul is explaining why the Gentiles, who didn't actively seek righteousness, found it through faith, while Israel, who diligently pursued righteousness through the Law, missed the mark. He emphasizes that Israel's pursuit was based on their own efforts to keep the Law, rather than on faith in God's grace, leading them to stumble over Christ himself. This highlights a central theme of the chapter: God's sovereign choice in salvation, which doesn't always align with human expectations or efforts.
"but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law." — The text highlights a subtle but crucial distinction: Israel pursued "a law that would lead to righteousness," but didn't reach it. This wasn't about failing to keep the law perfectly, but about pu…
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Last reviewed October 2026