Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 9:32

32. Wherefore ? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law : For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone .

Here is the Reason of the foregoing seeming Paradox; why they, who followed after the Law of Righteousness, should not attain it, rather than other; because they sought it not aright; they sought it not in a way of Believing, but of Working: These Two are Opposed in the business of Iustification, as before at large, in Chap. 3. and 4.

i. e. As if they could have attained Righteousness or Iustification in that way, which was impossible to do.

i. e. The true Messiah. q. d. So far were they from seeking Righteousness by Christ, that on the contrary they took Offence at him, to their own Destruction, Mar. 6.3. 1 Cor. 1.23. They thought it impossible that he should give them a Righteousness better than their own. This happened to them according to the Prophecy that went before them: So it followeth;

Marginal references: Luk. 2.34.