Not Attaining to the Law of Righteousness Romans 9:31

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome how Isaiah in the Old Testament wrote, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-one of Romans, Paul told his readers, “Israel...has not attained to the law of righteousness” where we read:

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness,

has not attained to the law of righteousness.

The verse begins, “But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, ...” Paul began with the words, “but Israel” which means “moreover and he shall be a prince of God or the family or descendants of Jacob”, “which followed” or “that ran swiftly after, seek eagerly and earnestly endeavor to acquire” “after the law” which refers to “the rule producing a state approved of God”, “of righteousness” which means “pertaining to the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition acceptable to God”. Paul referred to the way “Israel” pursued “God's righteous rule”.

The verse continues, “... has not attained to the law of righteousness.” Paul added the words, “has not attained” which means “has not preceded, reached, arrived at, attained to or anticipated” “to the law” which means “the rule producing a state approved of God” “of righteousness” or “pertaining to the state of him who is as he ought to be and the condition acceptable to God”. Though “Israel” pursued “God's law” they did not “reach or attain” it.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how “Israel” desired to keep the “law of God” but were unsuccessful. No one is able to keep “God's law”, and this is why “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), and “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ our Lord”. (Romans 6:23) God knew people would not keep His law, so He sent His Son Jesus not only to keep the law, but to die for the sins of those who could not keep it. God's invitation to receive His Son Jesus is to every person, and those who are wise shall accept His invite today.

Next time we see Paul tell his readers how the people of Israel, “stumbled at that stumbling-stone”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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