Journal: Trinity Journal
Volume: TRINJ 12:2 (Fall 1991)
Article: Israel’s Failure To Attain Righteousness In Romans 9:30–10:3
Author: Thomas R. Schreiner

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TrinJ 12:2 (Fall 1991) p. 209

Israel’s Failure To Attain Righteousness In Romans 9:30–10:3

Tom Schreiner

Bethel Theological Seminary

St. Paul, Minnesota

I. Introduction

A pivotal text for understanding Paul’s theology of law is Rom 9:30–10:8. In this article I shall focus particularly on Rom 9:30–10:3. Although it is artificial to make a break between Rom 10:3 and 10:4, since a γάρ joins these two texts, the question of what Paul means when he says “Christ is the end of the law” is too complex for an adequate discussion in this article. Locating the precise reason why the Jews failed to obtain righteousness via the law is the most controversial issue in Rom 9:30–10:3. Is Paul accusing the Jews of a legalistic works-righteousness in that they are attempting to secure their salvation by meritorious works? A polemic against legalism has often been detected in this passage. Many scholars today, however, question whether there is a critique of legalism in this text. It is claimed that Paul is merely saying that no one can obey the law, or that the problem with the Jews is their failure to believe in Christ, or that the Jews are too nationalistic, limiting the covenant to those who observe Jewish cultural norms. The goal of this article is to determine why the Jews failed to obtain righteousness according to Rom 9:30–10:3.1

There are also other difficult and controversial issues in this passage. The purpose of this article is to interpret the meaning of this text in order to gain a clearer perspective on the Pauline theology of law. My intention is not to provide a full commentary on this text. Certain questions that emerge from the text which demand greater attention will not be treated here. For example, the text form of the OT citations in 9:33 will not be investigated, nor

TrinJ 12:2 (Fall 1991) p. 210

will Rom 10:1–2 receive any sustained attention. What I am interested in ascertaining is what Rom 9:30–10:3 contributes to our understanding of Paul’s view of the law. To establish a sharper profile of his theology in this area, I shall examine this text and interact with the major interpretive views of scholars.

II. Rom 9:30–31: Gentiles, Jews, And Righteousness

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