“Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;”
Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the 'stumbling stone.' — Israel's error: seeking δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē, "righteousness") ἐξ ἔργων (ex ergōn, "from works") rather than ἐκ πίστεως (ek pisteos, "from faith"). The stone (λίθος, lithos)—Christ—became a σκάνδαλον (skandalon, "stumbling block"). Israel rejected Christ in pursuit of self-righteousness.
Church Fathers on Romans 9:32
“Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law.” This is the clearest answer in the passage, which if he had said immediately upon starting he would not have gained so easy a hearing. But since it is after many perplexities, and preparations, and demonstrations that he sets it down, and after using countless preparatory steps, he has at last made it more intelligible, and also more easily admitted. For this he says is the cause of their…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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