Romans 10:3 kjv
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 nkjv
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
Romans 10:3 niv
Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
Romans 10:3 esv
For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
Romans 10:3 nlt
For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.
Romans 10 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 10:1 | My heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for Israel. | Paul's earnest prayer for his countrymen. |
| Rom 10:2 | For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. | Acknowledges their fervor but points to a lack of true understanding. |
| Rom 10:4 | For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. | Jesus fulfills the Law; true righteousness comes from faith. |
| Rom 3:20 | For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. | The Law reveals sin but cannot justify. |
| Rom 9:31 | but that Israel who pursued a law of righteousness did not attain it. | Contrasts their pursuit of law with the outcome. |
| Gal 3:24 | So then the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. | The Law's purpose was to lead to Christ. |
| Phil 3:9 | and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. | Paul contrasts his former zeal for the Law with his present faith in Christ. |
| Acts 22:3 | I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strict manner of our fathers' law, and was zealous for God as you all are this day. | Paul's own testimony of having a similar zeal before his conversion. |
| John 5:39-40 | You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. Yet you refuse to come to me so that you may have life. | Jesus highlights how the Jewish leaders missed Him despite their study of the Law. |
| John 16:2 | They will begin to put you out of synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. | Jesus prophesies about persecution driven by misplaced religious fervor. |
| Gal 1:14 | and advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. | Paul's further description of his pre-conversion zeal. |
| Heb 10:4 | For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. | The inadequacy of Old Testament sacrifices compared to Christ's sacrifice. |
| Isa 53:11 | Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. | The suffering servant makes others righteous. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” | True boasting is in knowing God, not in human achievements. |
| Matt 23:23 | “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. You ought to have done the latter, without omitting the former. | Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for outward piety while neglecting core righteousness. |
| Deut 6:25 | And it will be our righteousness before the Lord our God if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us. | The Old Testament viewed obedience to the Law as a means of righteousness. |
| Luke 18:10-14 | Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows a contrast in attaining righteousness. | The Pharisee boasting in his adherence to the Law, the tax collector finding righteousness through humility and repentance. |
| Phil 3:3 | for we are the true circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— | Contrasting confidence in the flesh (law observance) versus the Spirit. |
| Heb 7:11-12 | If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, a necessary change in the law also takes place. | The inadequacy of the Levitical Law for ultimate perfection. |
| 2 Cor 3:7-9 | If the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its glory, the glory of which was soon to fade—will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. | Contrasting the Old Covenant Law with the New Covenant Ministry of the Spirit. |
Romans 10 verses
Romans 10 3 Meaning
For the people of Israel, having a zeal for God, meant having a commitment to God and his law. This verse speaks about the misplaced zeal of some Jews who, in their devotion to the Law of Moses, did not recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law, thereby attempting to establish their own righteousness rather than submitting to the righteousness God provided through faith in Christ.
Romans 10 3 Context
This verse is found in Romans chapter 10, which addresses Paul's deep concern and prayer for his fellow Israelites. The preceding verses (9:30-33) highlight how Israel, though pursuing righteousness through the Law, did not achieve it because they stumbled over Christ. This verse, Romans 10:2, acts as a transition, acknowledging the genuine, albeit misguided, religious passion of the Jewish people. Paul then moves on in verses 3-4 to explain the nature of their error: they sought righteousness through their own efforts by adhering to the Law, rather than receiving God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law. The broader context of Romans explains salvation by grace through faith in Christ, contrasted with salvation by works of the Law.
Romans 10 3 Word Analysis
γὰρ (gar): For, because. A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation for the previous statement.
μαρτυρῶ (martyrō): I bear witness, I testify. Implies giving testimony based on personal knowledge or observation. Paul personally observed and knew this zeal among his people.
αὐτοῖς (autois): To them, for them. Refers to the people of Israel mentioned previously.
ὅτι (hoti): That. Introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the testimony.
ζῆλον (zēlon): Zeal, ardor, earnestness, jealousy. A strong emotion of eagerness or passion. In a religious context, it can refer to passionate devotion.
θεοῦ (theou): Of God. Possessive case, indicating the object of their zeal. Their zeal is directed towards God.
ἔχουσιν (echousin): They have, they possess. Present tense, indicating a current state.
ἀλλ’ (all'): But. A conjunction introducing a contrast.
οὐκ (ouk): Not. A negative particle.
ἐπιστήμης (epistēmēs): Knowledge, understanding. Refers to accurate, informed knowledge.
κατ’ (kat'): According to, in accordance with. A preposition showing conformity or relation.
Summary of words: Paul testifies concerning them: they have zeal for God, but it is not according to correct understanding.
Group analysis (Zeal not according to knowledge): This phrase signifies a passionate commitment or fervor that is not informed by true divine revelation or understanding. It's an intense emotional drive for religious observance or belief, but its object or method is fundamentally misguided, leading away from true righteousness which is found in faith in Christ. This was characteristic of many Jews who intensely followed the Mosaic Law but failed to recognize Jesus as its culmination.
Romans 10 3 Bonus Section
The concept of "zeal for God" is significant throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, it could manifest as passionate adherence to God's covenant and law, but also as destructive intolerance towards anything perceived as opposing God (e.g., Num 25:11-13 concerning Phinehas). Paul’s statement here reflects this nuance; zeal is not inherently bad, but its "knowledge" component is crucial. Without the proper grounding in God's truth, zeal can become a fervent self-righteousness, as seen in many religious persecutors throughout history, including some of those who opposed Paul himself. Paul’s own transformation, from a zealous persecutor of the church to a zealous apostle for Christ, exemplifies the difference between zeal "not according to knowledge" and zeal that is informed by the revelation of God in Christ.
Romans 10 3 Commentary
Paul acknowledges the strong religious fervor of the Israelites. Their commitment to God and His Law was genuine and evident. However, this zeal was misplaced because it lacked the correct understanding that the Law pointed towards Christ. They were trying to achieve righteousness through their own diligent observance of the Law, a path that the Law itself showed was ultimately insufficient for true justification before God. Instead of recognizing God's provision of righteousness through faith in Jesus, their zealous pursuit led them to reject Him. True zeal, as understood biblically, is directed by truth and leads to obedience through faith in Christ.
- Practical Application: This highlights the danger of outward religious activity devoid of genuine understanding and faith in Christ. Mere enthusiasm for God or religious tradition, without a foundation in biblical truth and submission to Christ, can be a serious impediment to salvation. True Christianity involves a transformed heart that fuels a zeal for God guided by knowledge received through His Word and the Holy Spirit, leading to submission to Christ’s righteousness.