What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

Romans 9:30-33 

Today’s passage acts as a summary of Romans 9. And what is the theme of this portion of Paul’s letter? It is a reminder that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ apart from works of the Law and that the Gentiles (non-Jews) are now included in God’s offer of this saving grace.

We see it throughout scripture…outrage at the prospect of God including certain individuals or groups in salvation, forgiveness, and restoration. Jonah displayed that attitude as God forgave Nineveh (Jonah 4:1-3). The prodigal’s older brother expressed his displeasure with the father lovingly receiving his rebellious sibling back into the fold (Luke 15:28). And the “workers in the field” were outraged that those who showed up last to work were rewarded just the same (Matthew 20:11-12). And this is what we see Paul addressing in this portion of his letter.

For many, the prospect of God including the Gentile nations in His plan of salvation was unthinkable. These were the pagans, outside of the first covenant that God had made with His chosen people Israel, yet that is exactly what the cross of Jesus Christ has accomplished. While the gospel is for the Jew first and then the Gentile (Romans 1:16) salvation is now available to “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13).

“What shall we say then?” This is the way that Paul begins his summary. The Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have now obtained righteousness through faith in Jesus. Consider someone who has never contemplated the things of God. This individual cares not about the Bible, the church, or anything pertaining to godliness. This person lives the way that he desires and wants no part of anyone intervening in his life or trying to alter his way of thinking. This is how the Jew would have viewed a person from a Gentile nation. And the gospel reveals that God now includes these individuals in His plan of salvation. The thought was very offensive.

And what makes this thought even more egregious is that, the Jews, who were ever conscious about the Law of God and the demands in which it makes, were pursuing His favor by adherence to that very Law. But despite their efforts to obey the Law, they would fall short of righteousness. Why? Paul’s statement is remarkable. They fall short because they did not pursue righteousness by faith rather they pursued it as though it comes through works. To miss this point is to miss the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our righteousness (right standing with God) now comes through faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross and this faith is available to everyone (Romans 5:18). So someone who lives a life of trying to please God by doing good things and attempting to adhere to His Law can completely miss salvation while someone who cares nothing about those things can find saving grace through simple faith? The answer is “yes!” Those who attempt to be right with God through the Law have done the same thing that Paul says of the Jews: “They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,” which is Christ.

So as there will continue to be outrage over the gospel message, there remain two responses to the cross of Jesus Christ. There are those who stumble over Him because they are seeking a works-based philosophy of being right with God. But then there are those who realize that they will never be able to live up to the demands of the Law and gladly receive the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. And for these people, Paul says, they “will not be disappointed.” 

Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness…

                                                                                                                   Romans 4:4-5