Romans 9:32

Wherefore? Or, “why?”

Because. The first part of the answer reads literally, “because not of faith, but as of works of law.” Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of the phrase “of law.” The KJV supplies the words “they sought it,” which seem to give Paul’s sense correctly.

As it were by the works. Literally, “as if it were by works.” By this qualifying phrase Paul indicates that it was the opinion of the Jews that righteousness could be obtained in this way. They thought they could become righteous by works, whereas actually they were attempting the impossible (see chapters 2:25 to 3:20). Righteousness is attainable only by faith (chapter 3:21, 22).

They stumbled. Greek proskopto. This verb means, literally, “to strike against” (Matt. 4:6; Luke 4:11), hence, “to stumble” (John 11:9, 10), and metaphorically “to take offense at,” “to show irritation at” (Peter 2:8). Christ came to bring righteousness to all who would accept it by faith. But the Jews, who were seeking it in another way, took offense at Him and at His message. So deep seated was their erroneous belief that righteousness could be obtained by works, that it led them openly to oppose the Saviour and finally even to murder Him. If Paul is using the verb in its more literal sense of “to stumble,” these verses give a picture of the Jews earnestly pursuing after the goal of righteousness, but stumbling over the very One who had come to help them reach it.

That stumblingstone. Literally, “the stone of stumbling.” The offense was, of course, not in the stone but in the attitude of those to whom it became a cause of stumbling. “Christ crucified” was a “stumblingblock” to the Jews, but the “power” and “wisdom of God” to those who are called (1 Cor. 1:23, 24). He is a stumbling stone to those who are faithless and disobedient, but precious to those who believe (1 Peter 2:7, 8).