Romans 9:30–33 – Israel’s Stumbling over Christ
📖 Passage
Romans 9:30–33
Read Romans 9:30–33 (NKJV)
🧠 Context & Background
Paul has just defended God’s sovereign choice in election, showing that salvation is based on God’s mercy, not human will. Now he contrasts Israel’s approach to righteousness with that of the Gentiles. Gentiles, who did not pursue the Law, attained righteousness through faith in Christ, while Israel, zealous for the Law, failed because they sought it by works rather than faith.
This passage underscores the central truth of the gospel: righteousness comes by faith alone in Christ. The prophets had already spoken of a “stone of stumbling” and a “rock of offense.” Israel’s rejection of Christ was not an accident but part of God’s redemptive plan, showing that only those who believe in Him will not be put to shame.
🌿 Key Themes
- Righteousness by faith — Salvation is received, not earned.
- Israel’s stumbling — Pursuit of Law-based righteousness blinded them to Christ.
- Christ the cornerstone — Belief in Him is the only foundation of salvation.
📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Romans 9:30 – Gentiles Attain Righteousness by Faith
“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith.”
- Unexpected reversal — Gentiles, who weren’t seeking God’s law, received righteousness.
- Righteousness by faith — their acceptance came not through works but by trusting Christ.
- Grace magnified — salvation is not based on effort but God’s mercy and promise.
Romans 9:31 – Israel Pursuing the Law Without Reaching It
“But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.”
- Irony — Israel, striving diligently for righteousness through the law, failed to achieve it.
- Reason — their pursuit was based on works, not faith.
- Lesson — human effort cannot achieve the righteousness God requires.
Romans 9:32 – The Stumbling Stone
“Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.”
- Root problem — Israel treated righteousness as something to earn, not receive by faith.
- Christ as stumbling stone — instead of embracing Him, they tripped over Him.
- Faith rejected — pride in works blinded them to God’s way of salvation.
Romans 9:33 – Christ the Cornerstone and Stumbling Stone
“As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”
- Prophetic fulfillment — Isaiah foretold Christ as both stumbling stone (Isaiah 8:14) and cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16).
- Division — for unbelievers, Christ is offense and ruin; for believers, He is foundation and security.
- Promise — those who believe in Him will never be put to shame, underscoring the assurance of faith.
🔍 Trusted Insight
RC Sproul once wrote:
“The tragedy of Israel was not their zeal but that their zeal was misplaced. They trusted in their own righteousness instead of resting in Christ’s. That same danger threatens anyone who tries to stand before God on the basis of works.”
This shows that human effort, however sincere, cannot save. Only faith in Christ secures righteousness.
🧩 Review Questions
- Why were Gentiles able to attain righteousness while Israel failed?
- How does verse 32 explain the heart of Israel’s stumbling?
- What does it mean that Christ is both a cornerstone and a stumbling stone?
- How do these verses warn us against relying on works for righteousness? 💡 Tip: Use the **Ask a Question Bot** to explore these questions more deeply and gain additional biblical insights. ---
⚔️ Common Objections
- “Sincerity is enough for salvation.” — Paul shows that zeal without faith cannot save.
- “Israel’s failure means God’s plan failed.” — The prophets foretold Israel’s stumbling; it was within God’s redemptive design.
- “Faith plus works makes us righteous.” — Righteousness is through faith alone, not a mixture of grace and works.
🙋 Application Questions
- Where are you tempted to trust in your own efforts rather than Christ?
- How does this passage encourage humility when thinking about salvation?
- What comfort do you find in knowing that whoever believes in Christ will not be put to shame?
🔤 Greek Keywords
- Dikaiosynē (δικαιοσύνη) — righteousness; the status of being right with God.
- Proskomma (πρόσκομμα) — stumbling; an obstacle causing offense.
- Petra (πέτρα) — rock; Christ as both foundation and cause of stumbling.
📚 Cross References
- Isaiah 28:16 — A tested stone, a sure foundation, whoever believes will not be shaken.
- Isaiah 8:14 — A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.
- 1 Peter 2:6–8 — Christ is both cornerstone and stone of stumbling.
- Philippians 3:9 — Righteousness is by faith, not by works of the Law.
📦 Next Study
Next Study → Romans 10:1–13