| Geneva Study Bible {2} For they {a} being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to {b} establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (2) The first entrance into the calling to salvation, is to renounce our own righteousness by faith, which God freely offers us in the Gospel. (a) The ignorance of the law (which we ought to know) does not excuse anyone before God, especially those that are of his household. (b) Ignorance always has pride associated with it. People's New Testament 10:3 Being ignorant of God's righteousness. It is now shown that their zeal was not according to knowledge (Ro 10:2). Going about to establish their own righteousness. They had no knowledge of God's plan of righteousness, righteousness by believing upon Christ, but rejecting it they sought a righteousness of their own, of works, secured by keeping the law, and by obeying the traditions of men (Mr 7:7,8). Have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. On the other hand, they refused to submit to God's righteousness through faith. Wesley's Notes 10:3 For they being ignorant of the righteousness of God - Of the method God has established for the justification of a sinner. And seeking to establish their own righteousness - Their own method of acceptance with God. Have not submitted to the righteousness of God - The way of justification which he hath fixed. Scofield Reference Notes [1] righteousness The word "righteousness" here, and in the passages having marginal references to this, means legal, or self-righteousness; the futile effort of man to work out under law a character which God can approve. See Scofield Note: "Rev 19:8". Margin righteousness Cf. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:21". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 3. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness-that is, for the justification of the guilty (see on [2241]Ro 1:17). and going about-"seeking" to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God-The apostle views the general rejection of Christ by the nation as one act. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 10:1-4 The Jews built on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith, and numbers in every age do the same in various ways. The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. And the ceremonies shadowed forth Christ as fulfilling the righteousness, and bearing the curse of the law. So that even under the law, all who were justified before God, obtained that blessing by faith, whereby they were made partakers of the perfect righteousness of the promised Redeemer. The law is not destroyed, nor the intention of the Lawgiver disappointed; but full satisfaction being made by the death of Christ for our breach of the law, the end is gained. That is, Christ has fulfilled the whole law, therefore whoever believeth in him, is counted just before God, as much as though he had fulfilled the whole law himself. Sinners never could go on in vain fancies of their own righteousness, if they knew the justice of God as a Governor, or his righteousness as a Saviour. | 
