3
stone, the ultimate divine standard of righteousness (cf. 10:11). A false view of the law
caused Israel to stumble over Christ, God's standard of righteousness, when he appeared.
Paul elucidates Israel's misunderstanding regarding the law in chap. 10. While
the Jews are full of zeal, they lack knowledge (10:2b). Paul explains their lack of
knowledge in v. 3: because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God (v. 3a), they
attempted to establish their own righteousness (v. 3b), which resulted in their failure to
submit to the righteousness of God (v. 3c). The phrases
GLNDLRVXYQK and GLNDLRVXYQK
THRX are central to the book of Romans. Rather than understanding these terms simply
with the traditional forensic meaning, it seems to make better sense to consider their OT
background. Because Paul is steeped in the OT, he likely understands "righteousness"
and "the righteousness of God" in terms of their covenant context. People in Israel were
considered righteous if they kept God's commands and thereby proved faithful to their
covenant relationship with him. For example, Deut 6:25 states, "And if we are careful to
obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our
righteousness" (cf. Ezk. 18:19-22). The righteousness, or right standing with God, based
on the law would only bring people under a curse, since no one would be able to keep it
perfectly because of sin. In contrast to Israel's unfaithfulness, God showed his
righteousness in his covenant commitment to his people, manifested through his saving
acts. For example, Is. 51:5 says, "My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth,
and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait for me, and for My arm they
will wait expectantly" (cf. v. 8). The righteousness of God the salvation and judgment he
reveals according to his covenant faithfulness. Isaiah 51 points to the climactic revelation
of God, including the divine gift of the law (vv. 1-5). He means to demonstrate that "it is not as though the
word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel" (v. 6).