Romans 9:30

Romans 9:30. What shall we say then? Precisely as in Romans 9:14, where, however, it introduces an objection. But when followed by an assertion, it further unfolds an argument from what precedes. Here it introduces a summing up of ‘the historical result from the foregoing prophecies'(Meyer), yet with a view to present a new phase of the subject. What he would say is that ‘Gentiles,' etc.

Gentiles. The article is wanting; what is affirmed is true of Gentiles, but not of the Gentiles as a whole.

Who were not following after righteousness. ‘Pursuing,' as in running for a prize. This ‘prize' which the Gentiles did not pursue was' righteousness.' While this word does not mean ‘justification,' we need not give it here a purely ethical sense. For some of the Gentiles had a high ethical ideal which they pursued. But they did not follow this ethical aim with the thought of attaining a verdict of righteousness before God. Conformity to His law was not their ideal of virtue, nor was His judgment the ultimate ground of acceptance. Thus much we may understand, both from Paul's previous discussions, and from what follows.

Attained to righteousness. The verb is used of laying hold of the prize in the Grecian games. Here the technical Christian sense of ‘righteousness,' righteousness from God (chap. Romans 1:17), seems necessary.

Even the righteousness which is of faith. The peculiar form of the original suggests that this is the true righteousness.