Romans 9:32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
Because
G3754
ὅτι
Because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
2 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὐκ
they sought it not
G3756
οὐκ
they sought it not
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
3 of 16
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐξ
by
G1537
ἐξ
by
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 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 #:
5 of 16
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
7 of 16
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐξ
by
G1537
ἐξ
by
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
8 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
ἔργων
the works
G2041
ἔργων
the works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
9 of 16
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
νόμου·
of the law
G3551
νόμου·
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
10 of 16
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
προσέκοψαν
they stumbled
G4350
προσέκοψαν
they stumbled
Strong's:
G4350
Word #:
11 of 16
to strike at, i.e., surge against (as water); specially, to stub on, i.e., trip up (literally or figuratively)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;Luke 7:23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.1 Peter 2:8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.Luke 2:34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,Romans 10:3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.Romans 11:11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.Matthew 13:57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Historical Context
The stumbling-stone imagery comes from Isaiah 8:14, 28:16 (quoted in v. 33). Jesus identified himself as the rejected stone (Matthew 21:42). Peter echoed this (1 Peter 2:6-8). The stone that should be a foundation becomes a stumbling-block to those approaching in unbelief. Israel's tragedy was not ignorance but hardness—they had the oracles but rejected the Word made flesh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does approaching God 'by works' rather than 'by faith' turn Christ from Savior into stumbling-block?
- What is the relationship between works-righteousness and being offended by Christ's gospel?
- Why does religious performance produce pride that makes submission to Christ (justification by faith alone) repugnant?
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law—Paul answers his question: dia ti (διὰ τί, 'for what reason?'). The contrast: ouk ek pisteōs all' hōs ex ergōn (οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἀλλ' ὡς ἐξ ἔργων)—'not from faith but as from works.' The phrase hōs (ὡς, 'as it were/as if') suggests treating the law as though it were a merit-system, which it never was. The law demands perfect obedience (Galatians 3:10) but provides no power to obey. Faith receives Christ's perfect righteousness as a gift.
For they stumbled at that stumblingstone—prosekopsan tō lithō tou proskommatos (προσέκοψαν τῷ λίθῳ τοῦ προσκόμματος). The verb suggests striking one's foot against an obstacle. The 'stone' is Christ (v. 33)—the very one meant to save became the occasion of their downfall. Because they approached by works, not faith, Christ's demand for unconditional surrender offended them. They wanted a Messiah to validate their righteousness, not expose its bankruptcy.