{27} What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed {e} not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

(27) The declaration and manifestation of our election is our calling apprehended by faith, as it came to pass in the Gentiles.

(e) So then, the Gentiles had no works to prepare and procure God's mercy before hand: and that the Gentiles attained to that which they did not seek, the mercy of God is to be thanked for it: and in that the Jews did not attain that which they sought after, they can only thank themselves, because they did not seek for it in the proper way.

People's New Testament

9:30,31 What shall we say then? What conclusion shall we reach? It has been shown that the word of God is not of none effect, for it has foreshown all that has taken place (Ro 9:6). The conclusion is this:

That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, has no knowledge of it, had secured righteousness by accepting Christ, through faith in him, while

Israel, who follow after the law of righteousness, hath failed of righteousness before God through unbelief.

Wesley's Notes

9:30 What shall we say then - What is to be concluded from all that has been said but this, That the gentiles, who followed not after righteousness - Who a while ago had no knowledge of, no care or thought about, it. Have attained to righteousness - Or justification. Even the righteousness which is by faith. This is the first conclusion we may draw from the preceding observations. The second is, that Israel - The Jews Although following after the law of righteousness - That law which, duly used, would have led them to faith, and thereby to righteousness. Have not attained to the law of righteousness - To that righteousness or justification which is one great end of the law

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin righteousness

See Scofield Note: "Rom 10:10".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

30, 31. What shall we say then?-"What now is the result of the whole?" The result is this-very different from what one would have expected.

That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained-"attained"

to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith-As we have seen that "the righteousness of faith" is the righteousness which justifies (see on [2240]Ro 3:22, &c.), this verse must mean that "the Gentiles, who while strangers to Christ were quite indifferent about acceptance with God, having embraced the Gospel as soon as it was preached to them, experienced the blessedness of a justified state."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:30-33 The Gentiles knew not their guilt and misery, therefore were not careful to procure a remedy. Yet they attained to righteousness by faith. Not by becoming proselytes to the Jewish religion, and submitting to the ceremonial law; but by embracing Christ, and believing in him, and submitting to the gospel. The Jews talked much of justification and holiness, and seemed very ambitious to be the favourites of God. They sought, but not in the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing Christ, depending upon Christ, and submitting to the gospel. They expected justification by observing the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses. The unbelieving Jews had a fair offer of righteousness, life, and salvation, made them upon gospel terms, which they did not like, and would not accept. Have we sought to know how we may be justified before God, seeking that blessing in the way here pointed out, by faith in Christ, as the Lord our Righteousness? Then we shall not be ashamed in that awful day, when all refuges of lies shall be swept away, and the Divine wrath shall overflow every hiding-place but that which God hath prepared in his own Son.