Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Parallel translations
- WEB Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;
- KJV Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
- NKJV 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.
- NASB Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
- NLT Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Israel failed because they pursued righteousness by works rather than by faith, stumbling over the stumbling stone. They tripped over Christ instead of trusting him.
Overview
Paul explains Israel's failure (v. 31): they sought righteousness by works of the law instead of by faith, and so stumbled over the stumbling stone, which is Christ. The Messiah, who should have been their salvation, became an obstacle because they would not believe. This exposes the fundamental error of seeking to earn what God gives freely in his Son and prepares for the Scripture citation in v. 33.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Cor 1:23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
- Luke 7:23Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
- Rom 11:11I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
- 1 Pet 2:8and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
- Rom 4:16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
- Luke 2:34Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
- Acts 16:30–34Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
- John 6:27–29Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
- Rom 10:3Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
- Matt 13:57And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
- Matt 19:16–20Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”
- 1 Jn 5:9–12Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 9:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.