30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why 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 men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
"Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world."[j] 19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
"I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding." 20And Isaiah boldly says,
"I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." 21But concerning Israel he says,
"All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people."(NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. A right standing with God cannot be obtained through obeying the Law (9:30-33).
- works cannot justify anyone before God (Gal 2:15-16)
-the Law only brings wrath if one seeks to obey it (Rom 4:15)
-the Law was intended as a tutor meant to lead us to Christ (Rom 3:20; Gal 3:21-24)
2. People can’t truly know God apart from Christ and faith in Him, regardless of what efforts they make, or enthusiasm they have (10:1-4).
- Paul had great zeal as a Jew, and cites examples to show it, but realizes it was all rubbish compared to Christ (Php 3:3-11)
-Paul admired the religiosity of the people in Athens and told them so, but proceeded to give them the knowledge of God that he knew they lacked (Acts 17:22-34)
-In one of Jesus’ parables, the Pharisee may reveal a great zeal through the duties he boasts of, but – unlike the tax collector – he fails to realize that he is a helpless and hopeless sinner before God (Lk 18:9-14)
3. The righteousness that is provided by God in Christ is available to anyone who believes (vv. 5-13).
-It is as close as the Word that is proclaimed (vv. 6-9)
-However, verse 9 cannot be turned into a “formula” for evangelism – more is involved in true Christian belief than what is spoken of here (see, for example, Acts 3:19-21; 2 Co 5:15)
-nevertheless, verse 9 proves that the resurrection is crucial (Rom 1:4; 1 Co 15:17-19)
-verses 12-13 not only shows that God is no respecter of persons, but reinforces His purpose to to build His church from a multitude of tribes, languages and nations (Mt 28:18-20; Rev 7:9)
Discussion Question 1: From what we have seen in this week’s passage so far, in what way(s) could we describe the gospel as both inclusive and exclusive? What ramifications does this have for our witness in the world today?
4. Gentiles – who did not seek God – have embraced the gospel, while Jews – who were offered God’s saving grace in Christ – have rejected it (10:14-21).
One example, among many in Scripture, of the “irony” of God’s choosing:
-It is the tax collectors and prostitutes, not the Pharisees, who enter the kingdom of God (Mt 21:32; Lk 18:9-14)
-It is the foolish, lowly and despised things that God chooses, rather than the strong (1Co 1:26-30)
-It is the “uneducated” and “unlearned” whom Jesus chooses to be His apostles, instead of the learned (Acts 4:13)
-It is the humble who are exalted, not the proud (Lk 18:14b; 1 Pe 5:6; Jas 4:6-10)
Discussion Question 2: What do these patterns of God’s choosing reveal about God Himself? What impact should these thoughts have upon the way we relate to God and to other people?
