American Standard Version
Romans 9:32
32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
Romans 9:32 in other versions
- King James Version (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;
- New International Version (NIV)Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
- New King James Version (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.
Context of Romans 9:32
30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: 31but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; 33even 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.
Read all of Romans 9Romans 9:32 word by word
διὰ τί; ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐξ ἔργων προσέκοψαν τῷ λίθῳ τοῦ προσκόμματοςRead the interlinear
Cross-references for Romans 9:32
- Romans 4:16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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
- Romans 10:3For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
- Matthew 19:16And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- John 6:27Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Acts 16:30and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
- 1 John 5:9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.
- Romans 11:11I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
- Matthew 13:57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
- Luke 2:34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;
- Luke 7:23And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
Commentaries on Romans 9:32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32Wherefore? - And where lies their mistake? Being ignorant of God's righteousness - of his method of saving sinners by faith in Christ, they went about to establish their own righteousness - their own method of obtaining everlasting salvation. They attend not to the Abrahamic covenant, which stands on the extensive principles of grace and faith; but they turn all their regards to the law of Moses. They imagine that their obedience to that law gives them a…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 30-33Verses 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 sought, but not in the right…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 32-33a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense: This phrase means to fail to accept or understand something. In this context, it refers to people who reject or refuse to believe the message about Christ. Instead of trusting him, they turn away because his message challenges what they believe or expect.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 32-3332-33. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were--rather simply, "as" by the works of the law--as if it were thus attainable, which justification is not: Since, therefore, it is attainable only by faith, they missed it. for--it is doubtful if this particle was originally in the text. they stumbled at that stumbling-stone--better, "against the stone of stumbling," meaning Christ. But in this they only did.Read the comment
- Calvin’s Commentaries · v. 3232. Not by faith, but as it were by works, etc. As false zeal seems commonly to be justly excused, Paul shows that they are deservedly rejected, who attempt to attain salvation by trusting in their own works; for they, as far as they can, abolish faith, without which no salvation can be expected. Hence, were they to gain their object, such a success would be the annihilation of true righteousness. You farther see how faith and the merits of works are…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 9:32
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries