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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 9:31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/9-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/45_Rom_09_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 9:31 - Israel's Unbelief" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/9-30.htm" title="Romans 9:30">◄</a> Romans 9:31 <a href="/romans/9-32.htm" title="Romans 9:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/romans/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain to <i>that</i> law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />however, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at <i>that</i> law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at <i>that</i> law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain <i>that</i> law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />whereas Israel, [though always] pursuing the law of righteousness, did not succeed in fulfilling the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people of Israel tried to gain God's approval by obeying Moses' Teachings, but they did not reach their goal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />while God's people, who were seeking a law that would put them right with God, did not find it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Israel, who pursued righteousness based on the Law, did not achieve the Law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />but Israel even though pursuing a law of righteousness did not attain it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But Israel, who followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />while the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a Law that could give righteousness, have not arrived at one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at a law of righteousness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain to <i>that</i> law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, at a law of righteousness did not arrive;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Israel following the law of justice, reached not the law of justice.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Israel, by following after the law of justice, is not come unto the law of justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet truly, Israel, though following the law of justice, has not arrived at the law of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />but that Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, did not attain to that law?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Israel, who followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But Israel that had run after The Written Law of righteousness did not obtain the Law of righteousness?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />but Israel, who sought after a law of justification, has not attained to a law of justification.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />but Israel, following after the law, did not attain unto the law of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But Israel, pursuing after the law of righteousness, hath not come up to the law of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but Israel, who followed the law of justice, hath not attained to the law of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />while the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a Law that could give righteousness, have not arrived at one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not attain to <i>such</i> a law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />but Israel, who followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness: why?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/9-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=2445" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Israel's Unbelief</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30</span>What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">Israel,</a> <a href="/greek/1377.htm" title="1377: diōkōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.">who pursued</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">a law</a> <a href="/greek/1343.htm" title="1343: dikaiosynēs (N-GFS) -- From dikaios; equity; specially justification.">of righteousness,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/5348.htm" title="5348: ephthasen (V-AIA-3S) -- Apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, i.e. Anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at.">has not attained</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">it.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">32</span>Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4</a></span><br />You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10-12</a></span><br />All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-2.htm">Hebrews 4:2</a></span><br />For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a></span><br />Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a></span><br />Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-10.htm">Romans 7:10</a></span><br />So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Romans 11:7</a></span><br />What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a></span><br />For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a></span><br />To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39-40</a></span><br />You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Isaiah 65:2-3</a></span><br />All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, / to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.</p><p class="hdg">followed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Romans 9:30-32</a></b></br> What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2-4</a></b></br> For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Galatians 3:21</a></b></br> <i>Is</i> the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.</p><p class="hdg">hath.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a></b></br> Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law <i>is</i> the knowledge of sin.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Romans 4:14,15</a></b></br> For if they which are of the law <i>be</i> heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Romans 11:7</a></b></br> What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/26-7.htm">Arrive</a> <a href="/acts/28-21.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Attained</a> <a href="/romans/9-11.htm">Based</a> <a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/romans/5-16.htm">Following</a> <a href="/acts/13-25.htm">Fulfilling</a> <a href="/romans/9-27.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Law</a> <a href="/luke/17-11.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/romans/1-10.htm">Succeed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/16-3.htm">Arrive</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-17.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-2.htm">Attained</a> <a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Based</a> <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">Following</a> <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Fulfilling</a> <a href="/romans/10-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/romans/11-14.htm">Succeed</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Paul is sorry for the Jews.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">All of Abraham not of the promise.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-18.htm">God's sovereignty.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-25.htm">The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-32.htm">The cause of their stumbling.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>but Israel</b><br>Israel refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as the Israelites or the Jewish people. In the context of Romans, Paul is addressing the nation of Israel, which had a special covenant relationship with God. Historically, Israel was chosen to be God's people, receiving the Law through Moses at Mount Sinai. This covenant relationship is central to understanding Israel's pursuit of righteousness. The nation of Israel is often seen as a type of the Church, with its history serving as a foreshadowing of the spiritual journey of believers.<p><b>who pursued a law of righteousness</b><br>The phrase "pursued a law of righteousness" indicates Israel's attempt to achieve righteousness through adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Law, given in the Old Testament, was intended to guide Israel in living a life pleasing to God. However, the Law also highlighted human inability to achieve perfect righteousness on their own. This pursuit reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose of the Law, which was to point to the need for a Savior. The pursuit of righteousness through the Law is contrasted with the righteousness that comes by faith, as seen in the lives of Abraham and other patriarchs.<p><b>has not attained it</b><br>Despite their efforts, Israel did not attain the righteousness they sought. This failure is not due to the Law itself but to the reliance on human effort rather than faith. The concept of attaining righteousness is central to Paul's argument in Romans, where he emphasizes that true righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works of the Law. This echoes the prophetic writings, such as <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a>, which declare that human righteousness is like "filthy rags" before God. The inability to attain righteousness through the Law underscores the necessity of Christ's atoning sacrifice, fulfilling the Law and providing the means for true righteousness through faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, who were given the Law through Moses and sought righteousness through adherence to it.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>The Mosaic Law, which includes the commandments and ordinances given to Israel, intended to guide them in righteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/righteousness.htm">Righteousness</a></b><br>The state of being morally right or justifiable, which Israel sought through the Law but did not achieve.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitation_of_the_law.htm">The Limitation of the Law</a></b><br>The Law was never intended to be the ultimate means of achieving righteousness. It serves to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_righteousness.htm">The Pursuit of Righteousness</a></b><br>True righteousness cannot be attained through human effort or adherence to the Law. It is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_self-righteousness.htm">The Danger of Self-Righteousness</a></b><br>Like Israel, we can fall into the trap of trying to earn God's favor through our own efforts. We must rely on Christ's righteousness, not our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_works.htm">Faith Over Works</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of faith in Christ as the means to righteousness, rather than relying on works or legalistic adherence to rules.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_our_pursuits.htm">Reflecting on Our Pursuits</a></b><br>Encourage believers to examine their own lives and consider whether they are pursuing righteousness through faith or through their own efforts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_just.htm">Is God just?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_suicide.htm">What defines true righteousness according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_righteousness_apart_from_law.htm">(Romans 3:21-22) How do we reconcile the idea of being made righteous 'apart from the law' with Old Testament passages that emphasize strict adherence to the law?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_faith_align_with_law_adherence.htm">(Habakkuk 2:4) How can 'the righteous shall live by faith' be reconciled with other passages that emphasize strict adherence to the Law?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) Israel, on the other hand, though ostensibly pursuing a law the object of which was righteousness, did not reach such a law. They tried to keep the Law, but failed to keep it, and to bring themselves under its protection. The second "righteousness" is omitted in the best MSS.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/9-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰσραὴλ</span> <span class="translit">(Israēl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who pursued</span><br /><span class="grk">διώκων</span> <span class="translit">(diōkōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1377.htm">Strong's 1377: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a law</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of righteousness,</span><br /><span class="grk">δικαιοσύνης</span> <span class="translit">(dikaiosynēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1343.htm">Strong's 1343: </a> </span><span class="str2">From dikaios; equity; specially justification.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has not attained</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔφθασεν</span> <span class="translit">(ephthasen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5348.htm">Strong's 5348: </a> </span><span class="str2">Apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, i.e. Anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[it].</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/9-31.htm">NT Letters: Romans 9:31 But Israel following after a law (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/9-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 9:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 9:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/9-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 9:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 9:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>