Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Original Language Analysis
ἀγνοοῦντες
they being ignorant
G50
ἀγνοοῦντες
they being ignorant
Strong's:
G50
Word #:
1 of 18
not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
6 of 18
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίαν
their own
G2398
ἰδίαν
their own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
9 of 18
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
10 of 18
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
ζητοῦντες
going about
G2212
ζητοῦντες
going about
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
11 of 18
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
στῆσαι
to establish
G2476
στῆσαι
to establish
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
12 of 18
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνῃ
righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
14 of 18
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Philippians 3:9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:Romans 1:17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.Romans 5:19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.Romans 3:22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:Isaiah 51:8For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.Isaiah 57:12I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.Isaiah 64:6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.Isaiah 56:1Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Historical Context
Paul's Pharisaic training under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) gave him insider knowledge of Jewish soteriology. Rabbinic Judaism emphasized merit through Torah-obedience, good works, and the "righteous remnant" concept. The Mishnah (compiled c. AD 200 but reflecting earlier oral tradition) speaks of righteousness earned through deeds. Jesus' parables of the Pharisee and publican (Luke 18:9-14) and the elder brother (Luke 15:25-32) illustrate self-righteousness as older than first-century Judaism—it is the default human religion.
Questions for Reflection
- Where are you "going about" to establish your own righteousness through performance, even in Christian discipleship?
- How does submission to God's righteousness free you from the anxiety of self-justification?
- What would it look like to preach the gospel to yourself daily about this one issue?
Analysis & Commentary
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God—Israel's failure was epistemological (agnoeō, ἀγνοέω, "be ignorant of, not understand") and volitional (ou hypetagesan, οὐ ὑπετάγησαν, "did not submit"). Agnoeō indicates not mere lack of information but culpable ignorance that refuses truth (Acts 3:17; 1 Cor 14:38). Israel ignored dikaiosynē theou (δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ, "God's righteousness")—the divine provision of right standing through faith—and pursued idian dikaiosynēn (ἰδίαν δικαιοσύνην, "their own righteousness") through law-works.
The verb zēteō (ζητέω, "seek, go about establishing") implies diligent effort, echoing Romans 9:31-32 where Israel "pursued" the law of righteousness but stumbled over the stumbling stone. Human autonomy—establishing one's own righteousness—is the essence of sin, the project of Genesis 3. Submission (hypotagē, ὑποταγή) to God's righteousness is the opposite: receiving, not achieving; believing, not earning. This is the Reformation doctrine of sola fide—faith alone, Christ's righteousness alone.