Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Romans 10:3 (KJV)

Context

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans as a letter to believers in Rome. In this section, he addresses the Jews and their relationship to faith and righteousness. Romans 10:3 comes in the middle of Paul’s argument that Israel, despite its zeal for God, did not attain righteousness because it sought to establish its own rather than submit to God’s.

Meaning

The verse begins by highlighting the ignorance of the Jews concerning God’s righteousness. The Greek word translated “ignorant” (agnoeo) implies a lack of knowledge or understanding, but in this context it suggests more than passive unawareness; it points to a willful disregard of what God had revealed. The Jews did not comprehend God’s standard of righteousness, which is grounded in His character and revealed through His laws and commands.

Paul then states that the Jews were “going about to establish their own righteousness.” This phrase indicates an active, deliberate effort to create a righteousness based on their own works. Steeped in the traditions and laws of Judaism, they sought to achieve righteousness by strictly adhering to the Mosaic Law, including rituals, sacrifices, and external acts of obedience. This self-made righteousness stands in contrast to the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the gospel and is none other than the righteousness of Christ.

Paul concludes by asserting that their attempts to establish their own righteousness led to a failure to submit to God’s righteousness. The Greek word for “submitted” (hypotasso) means to place oneself under authority. Righteousness is not something to be achieved but something to be received by submitting to God’s way. By relying on their own works, the Jews missed the essential truth that no one can achieve righteousness by their own merit; it must be humbly accepted as a gift through faith.

Biblical connections

The immediate context of Romans 10:1-4 shows that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Israel’s failure was not due to lack of zeal but to a misunderstanding of God’s righteousness. This verse is part of Paul’s broader argument in Romans 9-11 about Israel’s unbelief and the righteousness that comes by faith, not by works of the law.

Application

We should humbly acknowledge our inability to achieve righteousness through our own efforts. Instead, we are called to turn to God, recognizing our need for His righteousness and grace. Rather than relying on our works, we are to trust in God’s provision of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, accepting His sacrificial death on the cross as the means by which we are made righteous before God.

As believers, we are called to pursue a life of righteousness that flows from our faith in God. This involves conforming to God’s standards, as revealed in His Word, and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. The verse also calls us to examine our own hearts for any tendency to rely on our own goodness or religious performance rather than fully trusting in Christ’s finished work.

Reflection

Romans 10:3 highlights the importance of understanding and submitting to God’s righteousness rather than relying on our own efforts. It teaches us that true righteousness comes from God as a gift of His grace and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. This calls for humility and surrender, acknowledging that we cannot earn righteousness but must receive it from God’s hand.