Romans 9:32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Romans 9:32 in other translations
| BSB | Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, |
|---|---|
| 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, |
| ASV | Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; |
| YLT | wherefore? because--not by faith, but as by works of law; for they did stumble at the stone of stumbling, |
| DARBY | Wherefore? Because it was not on the principle of faith, but as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone, |
| BBE | Why? Because they were not searching for it by faith, but by works. They came up against the stone which was in the way; |
| Webster | Why? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone; |
What does Romans 9:32 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 9:32-33
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
They sought it not by faith, etc. They depended on their own righteousness, and not on the mercy of God to be obtained by faith.
By the works of the law. By complying with all the demands of the law, so that they might merit salvation. Their attempted obedience included their prayers, fastings, sacrifices, etc., as well as compliance with the demands of the moral law. It may be asked here, perhaps, how the Jews could know any better than this? How should they know anything about justification by faith. To this I answer,
(1.) that the doctrine was stated in the Old Testament. See Hab 2:4. Comp. Rom 1:17. Ps 32; Ps 130; Ps 14. Comp. Rom 3, Job 9:2.
(2.) The sacrifices had reference to a future state of things, and were doubtless so understood. See the epistle to the Hebrews.
(3.) The principle of justification, and of living by faith, had been fully brought out in the lives and experience of the saints Of old. See Rom 4, Heb 11.
They stumbled. They fell; or failed; or this was the cause why they did not obtain it.
At that stumbling-stone. To wit, at that which he specifies in the following verse. A stumbling-stone is a stone or impediment in the path, over which men may fall. Here it means that obstacle which prevented their attaining the righteousness of faith; and which was the occasion of their fall, rejection, and ruin. That was the rejection and the crucifixion of their own Messiah; their unwillingness to be saved by him; their contempt of him and his message. For this God withheld from them the blessings of justification, and was about to cast them off as a people. This also the apostle proceeds to prove was foretold by the prophets.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 9:30-33
The Gentiles knew not their guilt and misery, therefore were not careful to procure a remedy. Yet they attained to righteousness by faith. Not by becoming proselytes to the Jewish religion, and submitting to the ceremonial law; but by embracing Christ, and believing in him, and submitting to the gospel. The Jews talked much of justification and holiness, and seemed very ambitious to be the favourites of God. They…
Romans 9:32 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 9:32
- 1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
- Luke 7:23
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- 1 Peter 2:8
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
- Romans 11:11
I 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.
- Romans 4:16
Therefore 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 2:34
And 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;
- Matthew 13:57
And 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.
- Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
- John 6:27-29
Labour 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. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
- Acts 16:30-34
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. …
- 1 John 5:9-12
If 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. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
- Matthew 19:16-20
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. …
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4:16; 10:3; Mt 19:16-20; Joh 6:27-29; Ac 16:30-34; 1Jo 5:9-12
they stumbled.
11:11; Mt 13:57; Lu 2:34; 7:23; 1Co 1:23
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 9:31
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
- Romans 9:32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
- Romans 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 9:32 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | ¿Por qué? Porque la seguían no por fe, mas como por las obras de la ley: por lo cual tropezaron en la piedra de tropiezo, |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Pourquoi? – Parce que ce n’a point été sur le principe de la foi, mais comme sur le principe des œuvres: car ils ont heurté contre la pierre d’achoppement, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Warum? Weil es nicht aus Glauben, sondern als aus Werken geschah. Sie haben sich gestoßen an dem Stein des Anstoßes, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Quare? Quia non ex fide, sed quasi ex operibus: offenderunt enim in lapidem offensionis, |