Bible Strands
Romans 9:30
What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church, closing a rhetorical inquiry about Israel's failure and Gentile inclusion within the sustained argument of Romans 9. He addresses this moment to explain the mechanism of how righteousness is distributed between the two groups.
The words — The Greek διώκοντα (diōkonta) literally means "pursuing" or "running after," denoting active striving. Paul contrasts this with the Gentiles who did not pursue (μὴ διώκοντα) righteousness but obtained it.
The thread — The text states that Gentiles obtained righteousness by faith, a pattern repeated in Philippians 3:9 and Galatians 2:16, which both contrast human striving with faith in Christ. The pattern extends to Hebrews 11:7, where faith precedes divine action rather than human effort.
Why it lands — The text states that righteousness is obtained by faith rather than pursued by human effort, requiring the reader to abandon self-generated merit. It demands acceptance of divine provision instead of personal achievement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Cross-references
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
- Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
- Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
- Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
- Romans 10:20 And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
- Galatians 5:5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.
- Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn.
- Romans 9:14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!
- Romans 10:6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down)
- Romans 10:10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.