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Romans 9:31
ESV but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
NIV but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.
NASB however, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
CSB But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law.
NLT But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.
KJV But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

What does Romans 9:31 mean?

Paul is using a question-and-answer approach to sum up what he has written in this chapter. In fact, he's tying together concepts used throughout the book of Romans. He imagines an incredulous Jewish person asking the question posed in the previous verse and in this one. That person might have asked, "are you saying, Paul, that even though the Gentiles never pursued the righteousness of God by attempting to follow the law of Moses, that those who have faith in Christ have been given God's righteousness, anyway? Are you also saying, Paul, that Israel, who has pursued God's righteousness by attempting to live under the law for generations, has not succeeded in keeping the law and has not been declared righteous by God?"

Paul's answer to both questions is a simple "yes." He has taught throughout this book that being declared righteous before God comes only through faith in Christ. That status cannot be reached by following the law. In the following verse he will answer the next question: Why?
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