Romans 9:32

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;
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.

Context of Romans 9:32

30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Romans 9:32 word by word

διὰ τί; ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐξ ἔργων προσέκοψαν τῷ λίθῳ τοῦ προσκόμματοςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·διάdia · through/because ofG1223
• Whereforeτίςtis · which?G5101
• Becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• notοὐou · noG3756
• byἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• as it wereὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• the worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• of the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• they stumbledπροσκόπτωproskoptō · to strikeG4350
• at thatὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• at thatλίθοςlithos · stoneG3037
• stumblingstoneπρόσκομμαproskomma · stumbling blockG4348

Cross-references for Romans 9:32

• Romans 4:16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
• Romans 10:3Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
• Matthew 19:16Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
• John 6:27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
• Acts 16:30He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
• 1 John 5:9We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
• Romans 11:11Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
• Matthew 13:57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
• Luke 2:34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
• Luke 7:23Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

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

• Faith
• Jesus Continued
• Justification
• Predestination
• Salvation
• Stumbling
• Unbelief
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Continual
• Fault
• Resist
• Between the Testaments
• Bible, the
• Election
• Paul, the Apostle
• Romans, Epistle to the
• Salvation

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