Romans 9:31

King James Version (KJV)

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

But Israel, which followed after - But the Jews, who have hitherto been the people of God, though they have been industrious in observing a rule by which they supposed they could secure the blessings of God's peculiar kingdom, yet have not come up to the true and only rule by which those blessings can be secured.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The Gentiles knew not their guilt and misery, therefore were not careful to procure a remedy. Yet they attained to righteousness by faith. Not by becoming proselytes to the Jewish religion, and submitting to the ceremonial law; but by embracing Christ, and believing in him, and submitting to the gospel. The Jews talked much of justification and holiness, and seemed very ambitious to be the favourites of God. They sought, but not in the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing Christ, depending upon Christ, and submitting to the gospel. They expected justification by observing the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses. The unbelieving Jews had a fair offer of righteousness, life, and salvation, made them upon gospel terms, which they did not like, and would not accept. Have we sought to know how we may be justified before God, seeking that blessing in the way here pointed out, by faith in Christ, as the Lord our Righteousness? Then we shall not be ashamed in that awful day, when all refuges of lies shall be swept away, and the Divine wrath shall overflow every hiding-place but that which God hath prepared in his own Son.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

31. The law of righteousness. Literally, “a law of righteousness,” meaning, a law producing righteousness. What the Gentiles are described as not seeking, yet obtaining, is “righteousness.” But what the Jews are described as following after, yet not attaining, is “a law of righteousness.” This phrase has been variously interpreted. Some regard it as a specific reference to the law of the OT. Others understand the phrase to mean that the Jews were seeking for a principle and rule of moral and religious life that would make them righteous (compare the use of the word “law” in the expression “the law of faith”; see on ch. 3:27; cf. ch. 7:23). This principle the Jews thought they had found in their system of moral and religious laws. But since they were never able to live up to the requirements of those laws, their principle of righteousness could not produce the righteousness for which they sought. This drove them to still further multiplication of religious laws in their legalistic quest for a principle of life that would make them righteous in the sight of God.

Another interpretation, and one well suited to the context, is to regard the phrase “a law of righteousness” as the equivalent of “the righteousness which is based on law.” Paul’s emphasis in these verses is upon the legalistic nature of Israel’s pursuit of righteousness.

To the law. Literally, “to a law.” Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of the word “righteousness” in this second phrase. Israel followed after “a law of righteousness” but did not succeed in arriving at that law. The reason for this failure is that righteousness based on law demands the perfect fulfillment of that law, and this obedience men in their own strength are not able to give. Consequently, in depending for righteousness upon a law which, in their own strength, they could not obey, the Jews failed to arrive either at the ideals prescribed by the law or at the righteousness they were pursuing.

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Cross References

followed

hath