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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 9:30 - 9:33
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rom_9:30-33
30What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33just as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."
Rom_9:30-31 This is the surprising conclusion of God's electing purpose. Rom_9:30-33 are a summary of Romans 9 and an introduction to Romans 10. Believing Gentiles are made right with God, but not all Jews (cf. Rom_9:6)!
God deals with all mankind in a covenantal way. God always takes the initiative and sets the conditions. Individuals must respond by repentance and faith, obedience, and perseverance. Are humans saved
1. by God's sovereignty
2. by God's mercy through faith in the Messiah's finished work
3. by an act of personal faith?
For "pursue" see note at Rom_14:19.
Rom_9:30 "Righteousness" For this word group see Special Topic at Rom_1:17. The noun is used three times in Rom_9:30 and once in Rom_9:31. The "righteousness" of faith is contrasted with the "righteousness" of the law. Again the contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant. The problems with the old covenant open the door of the gospel for the whole world in Romans 11.
Rom_9:32 "by works" The Textus Receptus added "of the law." This was an addition by a later copyist. Paul did often use this phrase "works of the law" (cf. Rom_3:20; Rom_3:28; Gal_2:16; Gal_3:2; Gal_3:5; Gal_3:10). However, the ancient Greek manuscripts P46, à *, A, B, F, and G omit the term in this verse. The UBS4 rates the shorter text "B" (almost certain).
The key to God's righteousness is not human performance but the character and gift of God through Christ. Righteousness is an impossible attainment by fallen mankind, but it is a freely offered gift through faith in Christ (cf. Rom_3:21-31). However, it must be received (cf. Rom_9:33; Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Rom_4:1 ff; Rom_10:9-13; Eph_2:8-9). This is the truth that sincere, religious, moral Jews (and all legalists) miss!
George Eldon Ladd in his book A Theology of the New Testament, makes a good point:
"Paul's teaching about the Law is often approached from the perspective of the historical experience either of Paul himself as a Jewish rabbi, or of a typical first-century Jew under the Law. However, Paul's thought must be seen neither as a confession of his spiritual autobiography, nor as a description of the legalistic character of first-century Pharisaism, but as a theological interpretation by a Christian thinker of two ways of righteousness: legalism and faith" (p. 495).
Rom_9:33 This is taken from Isa_28:16 combined with Rom_8:14.
"Behold I lay in Zion a stone," Isa_28:16 a
"of stumbling and a rock of offense," Rom_8:14 b
"and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed," Isa_28:16 b
By combining these verses in this way (rabbinical technique) he changes the meaning of Isa_28:16 from positive to negative. Paul manipulates the OT for his own purposes.
1. He chooses which translation (LXX, MT, or his own)
2. He changes the references (from exile to Gentiles)
3. He combines texts
4. He changes titles and pronouns, which apply YHWH to Jesus
▣ "he who believes in Him will not be disappointed" This is from Isa_28:16 b. It is also quoted in Rom_10:11 and is similar to Joe_2:32, quoted in Rom_10:13. The key to salvation is both (1) the object (the cornerstone) and (2) the individual's personal reception (faith in Him). See Special Topic: Believe at Rom_4:5.
▣ "a stone" This was originally a title for God (cf. Psa_18:1-2; Psa_18:31; Psa_18:46; Deu_32:18; 1Sa_2:2; Psa_28:1; Psa_31:3; Psa_42:9; Psa_71:3; Psa_78:35), but it came to be a Messianic title (cf. Gen_49:24; Psa_118:22; Isa_8:14; Isa_28:16; Dan_2:34-35; Dan_2:44-45; Mat_21:42-44). The key element of God's covenant promise (the Messiah) was misunderstood and rejected (cf. 1Co_1:23). The Jews misunderstood not only the Messiah's purpose, but the basic requirements of God's covenant. Christ became for the Jews a cause to stumble (cf. Isa_8:14; Luk_2:34), but for the believers, both Jew and Gentile, He became the foundation stone (cf. Isa_28:16; 1Pe_2:6-10).
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