Telos and Law: Romans 9.30-10.4

Paul states that the Israelites, “pursued a law that would lead to righteousness.”  Now, if he had concluded that Israel failed to reach that righteousness, we could infer that the law prevented the attainment of that status.  But that is not what he argues.  He says that Israel “did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.”  So if they had pursued the law “by faith” they would have reached the righteousness.  The problem was not the Law, but the unbelief and accompanying idolatry of “works.”

And if the righteousness of God’s people is found in Christ, then Christ is that actual goal that Israel and the Gentiles have reached.  Interpreting telos as “end” doesn’t go with the context.  “For Christ is the goal of the law for righteousness to everyone who has faith.”

30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

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