他們不憑著信心求隻憑著行為求 — 羅馬書讀經隨筆 第9章

保羅在羅馬書第九章最後說，那本來不追求義的外邦人，因信耶穌基督而得著了律法的義，但以色列人追求律法的義，反而得不著律法的義，原因就是因為他們不憑著信心求，隻憑著行為求。神曾在舊約裏說他將在錫安放一塊絆腳的石頭，這塊石頭在一些人看來將是一種冒犯，但信靠他的人必不會失望。耶穌就是神在錫安放的那塊石頭，他的十字架冒犯了一些人，絆倒了他們，因為他們不信耶穌在十字架上擔當了他們的罪。

羅9:27 以賽亞指著以色列人喊著說、『以色列人雖多如海沙、得救的不過是剩下的餘數．
Isaiah cries concerning Israel, "If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant who will be saved;
羅9:30 這樣、我們可說甚麽呢．那本來不追求義的外邦人、反得了義、就是因信而得的義．
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn't follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith;
羅9:31 但以色列人追求律法的義、反得不著律法的義。
but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn't arrive at the law of righteousness.
羅9:32 這是甚麽緣故呢．是因為他們不憑著信心求、隻憑著行為求．他們正跌在那絆腳石上．
Why? Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;
羅9:33 就如經上所記、『我在錫安放一塊絆腳的石頭、跌人的盤石．信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。』
even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed."