Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
But Israel, which followed—"following"
after the law of righteousness, hath not attained—"attained not"
unto the law of righteousness—The word "law" is used here, we think, in the same sense as in Romans 7:23, to denote "a principle of action"; that is, "Israel, though sincerely and steadily aiming at acceptance with God, nevertheless missed it."
What shall we say then?—"What now is the result of the whole?" The result is this—very different from what one would have expected.
That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained—"attained"
to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith—As we have seen that "the righteousness of faith" is the righteousness which justifies (see on Romans 3:22, etc.), this verse must mean that "the Gentiles, who while strangers to Christ were quite indifferent about acceptance with God, having embraced the Gospel as soon as it was preached to them, experienced the blessedness of a justified state."
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Romans 9:31:
Isaiah 51:1
Romans 9:33
Romans 11:7-10
Hebrews 8:6
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Start Your Day with Scripture
Begin each morning with God's Word — the Berean delivers a daily verse and insightful commentary to spark reflection and growth.
Join 140,000+ fellow believers on this journey.
