Romans 9:30

Authorized King James Version

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What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Original Language Analysis

Τί What G5101
Τί What
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 1 of 16
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
οὖν then G3767
οὖν then
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 16
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἐροῦμεν shall we say G2046
ἐροῦμεν shall we say
Strong's: G2046
Word #: 3 of 16
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
ὅτι That G3754
ὅτι That
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 4 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔθνη the Gentiles G1484
ἔθνη the Gentiles
Strong's: G1484
Word #: 5 of 16
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
τὴν which G3588
τὴν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 7 of 16
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
διώκοντα followed G1377
διώκοντα followed
Strong's: G1377
Word #: 8 of 16
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
δικαιοσύνην after righteousness G1343
δικαιοσύνην after righteousness
Strong's: G1343
Word #: 9 of 16
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
κατέλαβεν have attained G2638
κατέλαβεν have attained
Strong's: G2638
Word #: 10 of 16
to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)
δικαιοσύνην after righteousness G1343
δικαιοσύνην after righteousness
Strong's: G1343
Word #: 11 of 16
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
δικαιοσύνην after righteousness G1343
δικαιοσύνην after righteousness
Strong's: G1343
Word #: 12 of 16
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
δὲ even G1161
δὲ even
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 13 of 16
but, and, etc
τὴν which G3588
τὴν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ is of G1537
ἐκ is of
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 15 of 16
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
πίστεως faith G4102
πίστεως faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 16 of 16
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Cross References

Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.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 4:11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Isaiah 51:1Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:Romans 9:14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.Romans 10:20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.Romans 10:6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

Analysis & Commentary

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith—Paul poses the paradox: Gentiles who never pursued dikaiosynēn (δικαιοσύνην, 'righteousness') obtained it; Israel who pursued it failed. The phrase katalambanō (καταλαμβάνω, 'attained/obtained') suggests catching/seizing what wasn't sought. Dikaiosynēn de tēn ek pisteōs (δικαιοσύνην δὲ τὴν ἐκ πίστεως): 'righteousness which is from faith'—forensic justification by faith alone.

The irony magnifies grace: those furthest from God (Gentiles steeped in idolatry) received righteousness freely; those nearest (Jews with law and covenant) stumbled. Why? Faith vs. works. Gentiles, having no confidence in merit, embraced Christ by faith. This is sovereign grace: God chose the foolish, weak, despised things (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) to shame the wise. Election demolishes human pride—salvation goes to unlikely recipients to prove it's God's work.

Historical Context

By AD 57 the church was predominantly Gentile. The Jerusalem council (Acts 15, c. AD 49) settled that Gentiles need not become Jews to be saved. Paul's Gentile mission bore massive fruit while most Jews rejected the gospel. This reversal proved election transcends ethnicity.

Questions for Reflection