But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

ROMANS 9:31KJV
Know the Bible

Romans 9:31 (KJV)

What does Romans 9:31 mean?

Romans 9:31 says that although Israel tried to reach righteousness by following the law, they did not actually achieve the righteousness that the law points to. The verse highlights a contrast: Israel pursued a right standing with God through their efforts to keep the law, but did not attain it.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining why many Israelites did not arrive at the righteousness God desires. He points out that simply pursuing the law—meaning the commandments and regulations given to Israel—was not enough to make them truly righteous before God. This sets up his larger point about faith and how people become right with God.

The Greek behind Romans 9:31

  • νόμον (nomon, "law"): This word refers to the Mosaic law, the set of commandments and instructions given to Israel. Here, it emphasizes Israel’s focus on legal observance as the path to righteousness.
  • δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosynēs, "righteousness"): This term means a right standing or justice before God. The verse shows that the law itself was not enough to bring about this true righteousness.
  • διώκων (diōkōn, "followed"): The Greek word often means to pursue eagerly or chase after. Paul uses it to show Israel’s intense effort to achieve righteousness through the law, not just a casual attempt.
  • οὐκ ἔφθασεν (ouk ephthasen, "hath not attained"): This phrase means to not reach or arrive at a goal. Paul is saying that despite all their effort, Israel did not reach the intended result—true righteousness.

Why Romans 9:31 matters

  • Romans 9:31 clarifies that strict law-keeping, even with great effort, does not guarantee a right relationship with God; this challenges the idea that outward obedience alone is enough.
  • The verse helps explain the broader argument in Romans about faith versus works, showing why many Israelites missed what God was offering through Jesus.
  • It connects to the surrounding verses, which contrast Israel’s approach with the Gentiles, who found righteousness by faith rather than by pursuing the law.

Where else these words appear

“hath” Greek G5348 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

“followed” Greek G1377 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Acts 22:7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
  • Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

“Israel” Greek G2474 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
  • Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

“righteousness” Greek G1343 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;