Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
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;
- BSB Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
- 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, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
- Luke 7:23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- Rom 11:11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
- 1 Pet 2:8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
- Rom 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
- Luke 2:34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
- Acts 16:30–34And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
- John 6:27–29Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
- Rom 10:3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
- Matt 13:57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
- Matt 19:16–20And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- 1 Jn 5:9–12If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of 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.