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subject-matter of Rom. 9: 30-32--the fact that the Gentiles attained what they did not
follow after--is echoed in Rom. 11: 6, 7. These items are decisive, and demand
recognition. We accordingly give them their place in the structure, which is as follows:
Romans 9: 30 - 11: 10.
"The Election hath obtained it."
A | 9: 30-32. | a | What shall we say then?
b | Gentiles followed not; yet attained.
Israel followed; yet attained not.
c | Faith versus Works.
B | 9: 33. Skandalon. The rock of offence.
C | 9: 33. Kataischuno. Whoso believeth, not ashamed.
D | 10: 1-10. | d | Paul's prayer for Israel.
e | Israel ignorant and not submissive.
f | The word of faith which we preach.
C | 10: 11. Kataischuno. Whoso believeth, not ashamed.
D | 10: 12 - 11: 3. |
f | The word of faith that we preach.
d | Elijah intercession against Israel.
e | Israel gainsaying and murderous.
A | 11: 4-7. | a | What saith the oracle of God.
c | Grace versus Works.
b | Israel seek but obtained not.
Election obtain.
B | 9: 9, 10. Skandalon. The stumbling stone.
The word translated "follow after" in Rom. 9: 30 is dioko, "pursue" and indicates
that the Apostle is resuming the theme of 9: 16: "Nor of him that runneth". It is clear,
however, that Israel were not prevented from attaining unto righteousness by Divine
decree. Their failure was due to stumbling at the fact of justification by faith, which, like
the cross, was an "offence". They failed to attain unto righteousness "because they
sought it not by faith, but as it were by works of law; for they stumbled at that stumbling
stone". It was a question of pride and ignorance:
"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. For
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10: 3, 4).
They were ignorant of the nature of the righteousness which alone satisfies God, and,
like Paul in his unregenerate days, they boasted of "the righteousness of the law". But
such is of no avail in the presence of God. Even in the prophets we read: "all our
righteousness are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64: 6).
Turning again to Rom. 10: 4, we read: "Christ is (1) the end of the law, (2) for
righteousness, (3) to every one that believeth."
The Lord was "the end" in the sense of a Goal: