In Rom 9:32, Paul wrote, "...because they did not seek it by faith..." (ESV) I don't think Paul is talking about pursuing the law by faith, but pursuing righteousness by faith. That seems to parallel with the Gentiles pursuing righteousness by faith in vs. 30.
Therefore, the "righteousness of the law" was also a "righteousness by faith". The Jews did not succeed in attaining righteousness because they did not seek in through faith in God, but instead they sought righteousness by their own means (Rom 10:3).
I was reading the ESV as well, and I thought thats what it was saying. I guess the way it was worded had me confused. Thanks for helping clear that up. =)
To add to Alan's great comments, I think indeed the key word is "righteousness," and not only that but God's righteousness (as is mentioned in Rom 10:3). Israel sought "to establish their own righteousness" (which is by the works of the law). By seeking to establish their own righteousness by their own works, they were ignorant of God's righteousness.
In this epistle, Paul first mentions God's righteousness in chapter 1. "For in it (in the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed..." Paul proceeds to show why God's wrath is revealed against the sinfulness of man. He does this all the way through the rest of chapter 1, chapter 2 and the start of chapter 3. Then finally, in 3:20, he brings it back around to his original point. Having solidly established man's unrighteousness, Paul can easily contrast it with God's righteousness. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ..."
Sorry for the long comment, but I wanted to bring a closer focus to the word "righteousness" and to point out the difference between man's righteousness (which is by the law and which is never really righteousness) and God's righteousness, which we've been given as a gift!
Sheds light, in my opinion, on Jesus' words to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. :)
That was awesome, Joel! Thanks a lot for sharing that. I was more enlightened on what God's righteousness means. It makes me think that we have no righteousness apart from God. He is righteous and makes everything righteous. Which makes it silly to think people can establish their own righteousness, when it's God, not creation, who gives life. It's hard to explain, but thank you for posting that! It lured me deeper into the mystery of the gospel. =)
4 comments:
In Rom 9:32, Paul wrote, "...because they did not seek it by faith..." (ESV) I don't think Paul is talking about pursuing the law by faith, but pursuing righteousness by faith. That seems to parallel with the Gentiles pursuing righteousness by faith in vs. 30.
Therefore, the "righteousness of the law" was also a "righteousness by faith". The Jews did not succeed in attaining righteousness because they did not seek in through faith in God, but instead they sought righteousness by their own means (Rom 10:3).
-Alan
Hey Alan,
I was reading the ESV as well, and I thought thats what it was saying. I guess the way it was worded had me confused. Thanks for helping clear that up. =)
To add to Alan's great comments, I think indeed the key word is "righteousness," and not only that but God's righteousness (as is mentioned in Rom 10:3). Israel sought "to establish their own righteousness" (which is by the works of the law). By seeking to establish their own righteousness by their own works, they were ignorant of God's righteousness.
In this epistle, Paul first mentions God's righteousness in chapter 1. "For in it (in the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed..." Paul proceeds to show why God's wrath is revealed against the sinfulness of man. He does this all the way through the rest of chapter 1, chapter 2 and the start of chapter 3. Then finally, in 3:20, he brings it back around to his original point. Having solidly established man's unrighteousness, Paul can easily contrast it with God's righteousness. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ..."
Sorry for the long comment, but I wanted to bring a closer focus to the word "righteousness" and to point out the difference between man's righteousness (which is by the law and which is never really righteousness) and God's righteousness, which we've been given as a gift!
Sheds light, in my opinion, on Jesus' words to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. :)
That was awesome, Joel! Thanks a lot for sharing that. I was more enlightened on what God's righteousness means. It makes me think that we have no righteousness apart from God. He is righteous and makes everything righteous. Which makes it silly to think people can establish their own righteousness, when it's God, not creation, who gives life. It's hard to explain, but thank you for posting that! It lured me deeper into the mystery of the gospel. =)
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