Romans 9:32
What does Romans 9:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 9:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 9:32 means
Israel failed because they sought righteousness “as it were by works,” not by faith. In doing so, they stumbled over the stone God placed—Christ Himself. The issue was not God’s unfaithfulness but Israel’s approach: self-reliance collided with God’s appointed way. The stone stands immovable; one either trips over Him in unbelief or rests upon Him by trust. Works cannot make peace with a holy God; only faith in the One He set forth does. This explains the paradox: a people zealous for God, yet missing His righteousness by rejecting the cornerstone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why? Because they were not searching for it by faith, but by works. They came up against the stone which was in the way;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore? because--not by faith, but as by works of law; for they did stumble at the stone of stumbling,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why so? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were of works. For they stumbled at the stumblingstone.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore? Because [it was] not on the principle of faith, but as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone,
Context
Verse 32 interprets Israel’s failure described in verse 31: the lack of faith and reliance on works led to stumbling over the stone. The chapter’s final verse (v. 33) will confirm this by quoting the prophecy about the stone of stumbling and the promise that whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. The flow resolves the chapter’s initial tension by showing that the decisive issue is faith in the Messiah God has provided.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 11:11
I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
- Matthew 13:57
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
- Romans 4:16
For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may 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
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Matthew 19:16
And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- Acts 16:30
and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
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