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;
• 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, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 9:32 word by word

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

• ·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 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,
• Romans 10:3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
• Matthew 19:16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
• John 6:27Labour 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.
• 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 this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
• Romans 11:11I 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.
• Matthew 13:57And 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.
• Luke 2:34And 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;
• Luke 7:23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
• 1 Corinthians 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks 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

• 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