His Righteousness Versus Their Righteousness

Romans 9:30-10:13 Part 1

In this on-going study of Romans 9-11, we hit an interesting break in Paul's thinking.  Of course most readers know that enumerating chapters and verses is not an inspired activity.  Previously, it would seem that translators assumed a break in Paul's thought and placed Chapter 10 where it exists.  However, I came to the conclusion that the break should have been between 9:29 and 9:30.  The question Paul asks in verse 30 is taking us into a different dimension: “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;” (Romans 9:30, ESV)

There is somewhat a connection between Chapters 9 and 10.  Paul shows us that we can only see a small number of saved Jews because God only chose a remnant; and it's that remnant that comprises True Israel (“even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:24, ESV).  Romans 9:30-10 is going to show us that you can't simply blame God for the failure of most of ethnic Israel.  For the most part, the Jewish people refused to acknowledge God's means of righteousness. What we see in 9:30-10:13 is the contrast between 2 types of righteousness. One will save you, the other will damn you.

A Righteousness That Will Save You	A Righteousness That Will Damn You
Righteousness that is by faith” (9:30)	“a law of righteousness” (9:31)
“God’s righteousness”	“their own righteousness” (10:3)
The righteousness that is by faith” (10:6)	“the righteousness that is by the law” (10:5)

So Paul starts, as noted with this question: “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,” (Romans 9:30–32, ESV).

This point surprises some people, but the truth is that we can see clearly that God has always – always – only saved people based upon faith.  Good works or law-keeping have NEVER contributed merit to one's salvation. "Gentile success is attributed to their avoidance of the false approach of the Jew and their willingness to receive righteousness as a gift. Hardly a passage in the NT is stronger than this one in its exposure of the futility of works as a means of justification."[1]

If you followed the previous blog series on Romans 9, this will also provide some balance to the argument.  Divine sovereignty in election (Romans 9) is never at enmity with human responsibility (Romans 10).  " God’s sovereignty is compatible with human responsibility. Israel should have believed the gospel and trusted in Christ, but the majority refused to do so. Still, God’s saving promises will be fulfilled."^[2]

We should also note that not only has God's program for salvation not changed, neither has His Savior changed.  Salvation always depended upon faith in the Promised Messiah.  Unfortunately, Paul writes, that "they stumbled over the stumbling stone."^[3]  "Christ has been to the Jews a stumbling stone (the image is from Is. 8:14; 28:16) over which they have fallen (vv. 32, 33; 1 Pet. 2:8)"^[4]

Again, this stumbling over the Messiah is not a new idea.  It was predicted by the prophets. “as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”” (Romans 9:33, ESV)

We read in Isaiah 8:11–15 (ESV),

¹¹ For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: ¹² “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. ¹³ But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. ¹⁴ And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ¹⁵ And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

Quite clearly Paul is not only showing that the Messiah would be rejected but by quoting Isaiah 8 he is showing that this Messiah is God.  It's the Lord of Hosts that is the stumbling block.  Jesus is God.  When a unbelieving, yet orthodox Jew rejects Jesus Christ, he is rejecting God – the God of the Bible.  The unbelieving, unrepentant Jew does not worship the God of the Bible.  He or she is an idolater.

"For those who put their trust in Christ, he becomes a foundation stone, a stone on which to build a spiritual life. Others, not recognizing who he really is, trip over him and fall. This is what has happened to Israel."^[5]  

What does it mean that those who believe will not be put to shame?  The Greek word is καταισχύνω [kataischuno ] meaning to have their hope deceived.^[6]  Is not the hope of Israel the restored Davidic kingdom, the restoration of her fortunes, the blessedness of peace, prosperity and protection?   In objective language it is the eternal kingdom – The Kingdom of God.  This will only be a reality for those who have faith in Jesus Christ – alone – apart from works of righteousness.

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[1] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Romans/Exposition of Romans/VI. The Problem of Israel: God's Righteousness Vindicated (9:1-11:36)/D. Israel's Failure to Attain Righteousness Due to Reliance on Works Rather Than Faith (9:30-10:21), Book Version: 4.0.2

^[2] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2174). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[3] The New International Version. (2011). (Ro 9:32). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[4] Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Ro 9:30). Nashville: T. Nelson.

^[5] Moo, D. J. (2002). Encountering the book of Romans : a theological survey (p. 157). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

^[6] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.