Romans 9:32
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
What it says
The reason: their pursuit was not by faith but as if by works, and they stumbled over the stumbling stone.
What it is doing
This verse names the specific shape of Israel’s miss: works-righteousness, not faith.
In context
30What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written: