Christians ONLY please: What do these verses mean in Romans 9:32 - 33?

Question

32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." 33 As it is written:
"See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Does it apply to Christians too? Are works of the Law pleasing to God enough to save you. Or is it a cheap imitation of the works of the Law of Moses?

looks like a human,
No, I already know the answer. I'm just seeing if anyone else does.

I cannot pick an answer. Many tried very hard but could not either stick to the verses, or included the Law as something to be adhered to. These passages were not directed to Jewish unbelievers, this whole letter was written to Romans, both Gentile and Jewish believers. That was another common mistake.

These verses speak of Jesus Christ who IS the stumbling stone. And whoever trusts in Him will be saved. The Law of Moses being fulfilled in Him, and as we claim Jesus in faith, so too are we counted for righteousness. There's nothing else to consider because we become a habitation of His Spirit, and the Holy Spirit teaches what we need to do. NOT our own ideas of what the Law is.

Some of you came close, but there would always be a problem where you wanted to interject some kind of adherence to the Law.

These are but two verses that tell you that you are wrong about that. And since they are out of the Old Testament, you can add a few more!

Thanks for trying, Congrats to the winner.

Answer 1

it is impossible to please God except by faith ..

Answer 2

No one is perfect therefore works are not enough to save you. They ( The Jews ) were not doing the works ( The offerings and other religious stuff they had to do to be in their faith, which was a lot of things, spend some time looking them up some day its very interesting.) With faith in God. They were viewing it as the things like washing of hands, offerings, etc. were what would save them not God. In the beginning those things were done to remind them that a savior would be born and that they were to put their trust in him and show it by doing those things. It ended up that they got to where when Jesus was born that the rituals were what was looked upon as the saving grace not the Lord. The savior has always been know among other things as the Rock. In that manner the Jews stumbled over the rock and fell. However those who put their trust in the rock will never be put to shame. Or in other words they will be lifted up on the last day and glory will be theirs not shame. Yes it does apply to Christians today as works alone will not save you we need the grace of God. Jesus is the only way however we still need the works like baptism etc.

Answer 3

Dear tuberoot,

The context of this passage is addressing God's chosen people- Israel.

Basically Romans 9:32-33 is saying that instead of admitting they could not keep God's law and pursuing righteousness by faith in God, they sought to obtain their own righteousness through their works. The result was that some of them became more dedicated to the law than to God.

It is an exhortation to trust in God rather than to trust in our own works and righteousness.

Remember that other places in the Scripture Jesus does not put down the law- Galatians tells us it is our tutor to grace. In other words- the law tells us what is wrong- but when we look at the law- we realize that we fail in fulfilling it perfectly and thus we need the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Does it apply to Christians today. i would say Yes in the sense that we are also God's chosen people saved by the gospel, and if we put our trust in Christ we will not stumble and fall and be put to shame on the day we come face to face with Jesus.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 4

It appears you are asking this question by the use of your natural mind. How do you see a difference between the works of the Law and the works of the Law of Moses? They are the same. Rom 9:32 proclaims those addressed pursued it by use of their natural mind, and not by Spiritual faith. Spiritual faith is a gift of GOD, given to the individual after they have been Spiritually born. (Spiritual birth is given to an individual without them thinking, saying, or doing anything to get it or accept it.) Those addressed in Rom 9:32 stumbled because GOD did not choose to give them the light to see the truth as it is in Christ Jesus; they did not believe these Spiritual matters and, therefore, could not see the "stumbling stone" which is Christ Jesus. Those in Rom 9:33 who trust HIM and will never be put to shame, are those HE chose by Grace to give the Spiritual birth and these worship HIM in Spirit and in truth with Spiritual faith. Rom 11:7 is in harmony with the above, wherein Paul writes that natural Israel has not obtained that which it sought, which was a redeemer to save them from the Roman bondage they were in (because they were seeking it by use of the natural mind, following their mountains of man-made laws), but GOD chose (elected) some individuals out of every kindred, tribe, and nation to bestow HIS Spiritual grace upon: and all others are blinded to the truth because the only thing they have to reason with is their natural minds.
You ask, "Does it apply to Christian too?" A person is not a Christian because they simply say they are a Christian. If a persons is blinded to the truth displayed in Rom 9:32-33 then they are not a Christian, they are still in nature's darkness and will remain in nature's darkness unless it pleases HIM to bestow upon them the Spiritual birth and then they are no longer blinded to the truth as it is in Christ. Hoyt D. F. Sparks

Answer 5

"For what reason? Because he pursued it,not by faith, but as by works. They stumbled on the stone of stumbling, as it is written: Look! I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock-mass of offense, but he that rests his faith on it will not come to disappointment."
The stone of stumbling is Jesus Christ. If you rest your hope in him by doing all he said, and believing all he believes, in other words, OBEYING him, you will not be disappointed. You will get everlasting life. (John 3:36 and 2nd Thessalonians 1:6-9 and
Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 25:34-46 and Psalms 83:18)

Answer 6

IT applies to boath. The Jews have stumbled. and us so called Christians (with our denominations) are stumbling all over the place. that Rock IS christ! That stone IS Christ Ican't find the ref. rigrt now but I DID read where Paul wrote of Israel,
'thirsty tn the wilderness cryed for water, Moses struk the ROCK and out came water, Paul wrote THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST! I also read that Christ told the Samaritan woman at the well that He'd give her LIVING WATER.....STONE, ROCK WATER,LIFE! Life everlasting througt Jesus. things consealed in the O.T. Revealed in the N.T. Gee you are in Romans? there, you will have your explanation of the Law and the Grace of God through Christ.

Answer 7

Paul is quoting Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16.

You need to begin earlier in Romans 9. Why not? refers to the previous verses. The starting place in Romans 9:6

Answer 8

Here Paul is talking about the Jews depended on law of Moses and rejected Jesus who is the fulfilment of law.
Jesus was the cornerstone and those who rejected will fall. So he mentioned that the Jews who didn't believe Jesus as the manifestation of Law would fall.
He didn't mention this to Christians. Christians are the one who accepted Jesus. We will be like living stones as Jesus. Praise God.

Answer 9

They perused it by the Law is talking about the Israelites.Not by faith,in Jesus.They then stumbled.God lays down then a choice,Take the path of the Law,and stumble or take the path of faith through Him(that is in Himv.33)Jesus,and never be put to shame. Works of the Law are not pleasing to God its like saying,Jesus died for no reason.The Bible says that even our good works are as filthy rags, does that mean that you shouldn't try to live a Holy life?NO God forbid.It says That in the bible too. God couldn't leave our eternity up to us ,we are to boastful, He took care of your sin on the cross.trust in that, have faith

Answer 10

The Stone of Stumbling is Christ.

Many stumble over him, curse him, revile him and hate him. Yet he is the "capstone" that is the one who holds together all things, and is the final revelation of God.

I think it's pretty clear to say that the one who "trusts" in him shall never be put to shame. that is the shame of judgement which God will bring on the world at the end.

That verb for "trust" means to depend fully, with a total conviction.

Answer 11

Well it means that the Jews didn't have faith in Jesus, so they stumbled. They went about it as if it was nothing. So God put up and stumbling stone for them that didn't believe. But for those who did, they didn't have to be ashamed.
So for us, it means that we do all things decently and in order. We have to trust in God to lead, and guide us. We have to lay our sins and flesh down. Let go and Surrender. G.B.