Romans 9:30-33

Text

Romans 9:30-33. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: Romans 9:31 but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; Romans 9:33 even as it is written,

Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence:
And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 9:30-33

438.

Notice please that Romans 9:30-33 are a conclusion to the section. The conclusion is easily understood. Reasoning from the conclusion, who would you say was responsible for the rejection of Israel?

439.

Define the word righteousness as here used.

440.

It is possible to seek to be righteous by works today? How?

441.

Why was Jesus such a stone of stumbling to the Jews?

248.

What are the two great facts to be established by the ninth chapter? What do Romans 9:27-29 develop?

249.

What two thoughts had been presented to the Jew that must surely convince him that God was just in rejecting Israel?

Paraphrase

Romans 9:30-33. What then do we infer from these prophecies? Why this: That the Gentiles, who being ignorant of the righteousness necessary to salvation, did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness by embracing the gospel: not that righteousness which consists in a perfect obedience to law, but a righteousness of faith.

Romans 9:31 But the Jews, who endeavored to obtain righteousness by obedience to the law, have not obtained righteousness by obedience to law.

Romans 9:32 For what reason have they not obtained it? Because not by obedience to the law of faith, but verily by obedience to the law of Moses they pursued it; for they stumbled at the stumbling-stone, and fell: they refused to believe on a crucified Messiah, and were broken.

Romans 9:33 This happened according to what was foretold, Behold I place in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence: Yet whosoever believeth on this crucified Christ, as a sure foundation of the temple of God, and rests his hope of righteousness on that foundation, shall not make haste out of the presence either of men or of God, as ashamed of believing on him.

Summary

The Gentiles, for some reason, were not seeking justification, yet they found it. Why? Because with glad hearts they received Christ in whom alone it is found. But Israel was seeking justification, and yet they did not find it. Why? Because they sought it not by belief in Christ, but by works of law, a way in which it can never be found.

Comment

3.

Conclusion as to Why God Rejected Israel. Romans 9:30-33

The inspired author has now shown that God, in rejecting the Jews and receiving the Gentiles, has not been unjust, but has acted on principles which the Jews themselves approved. Their prophets had spoken of this time; hence it should not surprise them. We find in the three closing verses of chapter nine the conclusion of the topic of the chapter. The conclusion is stated in a rather paradoxical form. Paul says in substance: It is strange, isn-'t it, that the Gentiles who were not looking or searching for justification, found it, and you Jews who were diligently seeking for a means of justification failed in your search? Why was this so? It was simply because the Gentiles attained a righteousness of justification by faith, or through Christ; on the other hand, you Jewish brethren were seeking to be justified by works, the works of the law. As to what was included in the faith of the Gentiles, enough has already been said to let us know that it was inclusive of obedience to the gospel. In further description of the tragic state of Israel, we can say that they fulfilled the very words of the prophet (Isaiah 28:16) and stumbled at the stone of stumbling. They were bound and determined to find justification through the lawany other method would be haughtily rejected. Hence when Christ came and offered in fulfillment of God's plan, justification through his blood, they accomplished to the letter the words of Isaiah: Behold I lay in Zion (amidst Israel) a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; and he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. Romans 9:30-33

250.

Show in your own words the touching and tragic picture of Israel's rejection as presented in Romans 9:30-33.

Rethinking in Outline Form

Objection Stated: God is arbitrary and unrighteous. Romans 9:14 a.

Objection Answered; Romans 9:14 b - Romans 9:18.

a.

God forbid! The case of Moses indicates that God's choices are not influenced by man. Romans 9:14 b, Romans 9:15.

b.

Man's willingness, or lack of it, have no influence on the mercy of God. Romans 9:16.

c.

The example of Pharaoh; he was raised up to show God's power. Romans 9:17-18.

Objection Stated: If God acts as he does in the cases of Moses and Pharaoh how can man be responsible? Romans 9:19. Objection Answered: Romans 9:20-29.

a.

You are the clay and have no right to question. Romans 9:20.

b.

God, the potter, decides, not the clay. Romans 9:21.

c.

God is very merciful when dealing with the sinfulness of men. Romans 9:22.

d.

The purpose of his mercy is to give man an opportunity to decide which he will be, a vessel of mercy or of wrath. Romans 9:23-24.

e.

Hosea and Isaiah both support the answer of Paul. Romans 9:25-29.

3.

Conclusion as to why God rejected Israel. Romans 9:30-33.

The Jews failed to find righteousness because they looked in the wrong place. The Gentiles who were not looking for it found it. Romans 9:30-33.