Romans 9:32
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,
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;
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G1223
after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in)
Derivation: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act;
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in).
In composition it retains the same general importance.
G5101
every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why
Derivation: probably emphatic of G5100;
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
See also: G5100.
G3754
as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why
Derivation: neuter of G3748 as conjunction;
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
See also: G3748.
G3756
+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but
, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ
Derivation: a primary word;
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
See also G3364, G3372.
See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.
G1537
after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out)
or ἐξ
Derivation: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause;
literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out).
Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
G4102
assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity
Derivation: from G3982;
persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself
KJV: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
See also: G3982.
G235
and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet
Derivation: neuter plural of G243;
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
See also: G243.
G5613
about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed
Derivation: probably adverb of comparative from G3739;
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
See also: G3739.
G2041
deed, doing, labour, work
Derivation: from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω (to work);
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
KJV: deed, doing, labour, work.
G4350
beat upon, dash, stumble (at)
Derivation: from G4314 and G2875;
to strike at, i.e. surge against (as water); specially, to stub on, i.e. trip up (literally or figuratively)
KJV: beat upon, dash, stumble (at).
See also: G4314, G2875.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G3037
(mill-, stumbling-)stone
Derivation: apparently a primary word;
a stone (literally or figuratively)
KJV: (mill-, stumbling-)stone.
G4348
offence, stumbling(-block, (-stone))
Derivation: from G4350;
a stub, i.e. (figuratively) occasion of apostasy
KJV: offence, stumbling(-block, (-stone)).
See also: G4350.
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Verses 30–33
Romans 9:30–33
The apostle comes here at last to fix the true reason of the reception of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews. There was a difference in the way of their seeking, and therefore there was that different success, though still it was the free grace of God that made them differ. He concludes like an orator, What shall we say then? What is the conclusion of the whole dispute?
I. Concerning the Gentiles observe, 1. How they had been alienated from righteousness: the followed not after it; they knew not their guilt and misery, and therefore were not at all solicitous to procure a remedy. In their conversion preventing grace was greatly magnified: God was found of those that sought him not, Isa 65:1. There was nothing in them to dispose them for such a favour more than what free grace wrought in them. Thus doth God delight to dispense grace in a way of sovereignty and absolute dominion. 2. How they attained to righteousness, notwithstanding: By faith; not by being proselyted to the Jewish religion, and submitting to the ceremonial law, but by embracing Christ, and believing in Christ, and submitting to the gospel. They attained to that by the short cut of believing sincerely in Christ for which the Jews had been long in vain beating about the bush.
II. Concerning the Jews observe, 1. How they missed their end: they followed after the law of righteousness (Rom 9:31) - they talked much of justification and holiness, seemed very ambitious of being the people of God and the favourites of heaven, but they did not attain to it, that is, the greatest part of them did not; as many as stuck to their old Jewish principles and ceremonies, and pursued a happiness in those observances, embracing the shadows now that the substance was come, these fell short of acceptance with God, were not owned as his people, nor went to their house justified. 2. How they mistook their way, which was the cause of their missing the end, Rom 9:32, Rom 9:33. They sought, but not in the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the instituted appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing the Christian religion, and depending upon the merit of Christ, and submitting to the terms of the gospel, which were the very life and end of the law. But they sought by the works of the law; as if they were to expect justification by their observance of the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses. This was the stumbling-stone at which they stumbled. They could not get over this corrupt principle which they had espoused, That the law was given them for no end but that merely by their observance of it, and obedience to it, they might be justified before God: and so they could by no means be reconciled to the doctrine of Christ, which brought them off from that to expect justification through the merit and satisfaction of another. Christ himself is to some a stone of stumbling, for which he quotes Isa 8:14; Isa 28:16. It is sad that Christ should be set for the fall of any, and yet it is so (Luk 2:34), that ever poison should be sucked out of the balm of Gilead, that the foundation-stone should be to any a stone of stumbling, and the rock of salvation a rock of offence; so he is to multitudes; so he was to the unbelieving Jews, who rejected him, because he put an end to the ceremonial law. But still there is a remnant that do believe on him; and they shall not be ashamed, that is, their hopes and expectations of justification by him shall not be disappointed, as theirs are who expect it by the law. So that, upon the whole, the unbelieving Jews have no reason to quarrel with God for rejecting them; they had a fair offer of righteousness, and life, and salvation, made to them upon gospel terms, which they did not like, and would not come up to; and therefore, if they perish, they may thank themselves - their blood is upon their own heads.
Cross-references: Isa 65:1 · Rom 9:31 · Rom 9:32 · Rom 9:33 · Isa 8:14 · Isa 28:16 · Luke 2:34