3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

Other Translations of Romans 10:3

King James Version

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.

English Standard Version

3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

The Message

3 They don't seem to realize that this comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God's business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it.

New King James Version

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

New Living Translation

3 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 10:3

Commentary on Romans 10:1-4

(Read Romans 10:1-4)

The Jews built on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith, and numbers in every age do the same in various ways. The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. And the ceremonies shadowed forth Christ as fulfilling the righteousness, and bearing the curse of the law. So that even under the law, all who were justified before God, obtained that blessing by faith, whereby they were made partakers of the perfect righteousness of the promised Redeemer. The law is not destroyed, nor the intention of the Lawgiver disappointed; but full satisfaction being made by the death of Christ for our breach of the law, the end is gained. That is, Christ has fulfilled the whole law, therefore whoever believeth in him, is counted just before God, as much as though he had fulfilled the whole law himself. Sinners never could go on in vain fancies of their own righteousness, if they knew the justice of God as a Governor, or his righteousness as a Saviour.

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"[1]

Other Translations of Romans 10:16

King James Version

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report our report: Gr. the hearing of us?

English Standard Version

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

The Message

16 But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: "Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?"

New King James Version

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

New Living Translation

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, " Lord, who has believed our message?"

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 10:16

Commentary on Romans 10:12-17

(Read Romans 10:12-17)

There is not one God to the Jews, more kind, and another to the Gentiles, who is less kind; the Lord is a Father to all men. The promise is the same to all, who call on the name of the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, as God manifest in the flesh. All believers thus call upon the Lord Jesus, and none else will do so humbly or sincerely. But how should any call on the Lord Jesus, the Divine Saviour, who had not heard of him? And what is the life of a Christian but a life of prayer? It shows that we feel our dependence on him, and are ready to give up ourselves to him, and have a believing expectation of our all from him. It was necessary that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles. Somebody must show them what they are to believe. How welcome the gospel ought to be to those to whom it was preached! The gospel is given, not only to be known and believed, but to be obeyed. It is not a system of notions, but a rule of practice. The beginning, progress, and strength of faith is by hearing. But it is only hearing the word, as the word of God that will strengthen faith.