Definition: What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 9:30. It’s a really important and often confusing part of scripture, so let's go through it slowly. Here's what it means in simple terms: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.” Let’s unpack that: "The Gentiles..." : This refers to people outside of Israel – essentially, non-Jews. Think of people from other countries or cultures who didn't follow Jewish law or tradition. "...which followed not after righteousness..." : This is the key part. “Righteousness” in this context doesn’t mean perfect behavior or being morally good. It means living according to God’s will , which is a standard of moral conduct that God established through His teachings – things like love, kindness, justice, and compassion. They weren't following exactly what God said, but they weren’t living a life aligned with his principles. "...have attained to righteousness..." : This means these Gentiles have achieved a kind of moral standing that is good enough to be considered right by God. Think of it as achieving a level of goodness that's acceptable to him. "...even the righteousness which is of faith." : This is where it gets a little more nuanced. "Faith" in this context isn’t just believing something; it means trusting in God and his plan, even when things are difficult. It’s about having confidence in God's will, even if you don’t fully understand it yet. “Righteousness of faith” means that their belief in God and following his laws is what ultimately leads them to a good life, despite not perfectly adhering to those laws themselves. So, the whole verse basically says: It's okay for Gentiles – people who didn’t follow Jewish law – to have achieved a form of righteousness through their faith in God. It's like they've found a way to be morally good and pleasing to God, even without fully following all of his rules. What does this verse mean about us? This is a complex idea that has been debated for centuries. Some people see it as a reminder that we are all capable of achieving a kind of moral standing through faith. It’s not about being perfect, but about striving to live a life pleasing to God. Important Note: It's also important to note that this verse doesn’t mean Gentiles are automatically right with God. God still demands obedience and love. However, it does acknowledge that they have achieved a level of moral standing that is acceptable to him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Connect this verse to other parts of the Bible? Discuss what some people interpret the meaning of this verse as being about humanity as a whole?