But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
ROMANS 9:31KJVWhat 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.